‘It’s very emotional:’ hundreds of SC National Guardsmen deploy to D.C.

EASTOVER, S.C. (WIS) — Hundreds gathered at the McCrady Training Center Sunday afternoon to send off approximately 400 members of the South Carolina National Guard.

The 122nd Engineer Battalion held its departure ceremony for service members and their families before deploying to Washington, D.C.

The National Guard members will be in the nation’s capital for the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission,” which is a collaboration between the Guard and law enforcement following a federal push cracking down on crime in several communities across America.

Emotional sendoff

The ceremony highlighted the emotional bridge between South Carolina and the mission ahead. Kids clung to their parents’ uniforms while spouses shared quiet words.

“It’s very emotional, but I’m very proud that he is going and helping keep the peace and serving our country,” said one U.S. Army National Guard member’s wife.

Robert Graham, a member of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the separation will be difficult.

“It’s very emotional. We spend a lot of time together, and that is going to be the hardest part about this mission,” Graham said.

Jay Sirmon, commander of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the turnout demonstrated the dedication of the service members.

“I think this is a testament to their dedication, and when the nation calls and when the state calls, they leave their civilian jobs, they leave their schools, and they go wherever they are called to serve,” Sirmon said.

The number one goal is to keep citizens, tourists, and everyone coming to D.C. safe, according to Sirmon.

“We will be assisting the metro police department and other federal agencies to make sure that everybody in the D.C. area is safe this summer,” Sirmon said.

For some families, while this is not their first deployment, they say this mission feels different as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.

Cody Puckett, operations NCO of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the deployment stands out.

“It’s very different, especially considering being in the capital, knowing that you have so many people in one spot, all the special events that are coming up, and just having that many soldiers on the ground,” Puckett said.

Community support

Sirmon said the community involvement never fails to surprise him.

“The community involvement, especially with the National Guard, is tremendous, and it never fails to surprise me when we have events like this, you’re able to see how many people showed up in support, and that means a lot,” Sirmon said. “When these soldiers go away from home, whether that’s overseas to a combat zone, or in the United States to a mission such as this, they remember this event, and they remember the support that we have.”

One wife said the ceremony was not a goodbye, just a see you later.

“I’m so proud of him and everything that he does and everything for the military as well as for our family. I’m going to get emotional, but yeah. I’m glad he’s getting to go on this experience and get to help out and do everything he needs to do, but he’s definitely going to be missed, and I’ll be glad when he’s back home,” she said.

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