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My life as an alpha company Superman
When the day came for the battalion to leave Hammond to start our journey no one knew what was in store for us. Emotions were high and sad goodbyes were said. Leaving my Wife and my newly one year old son was not an easy thing, but having such a close group of friends to count on has made each day go by just a little bit faster. As I went thru all of the training at Fort Sill, still curious as to what was ahead of me. The only thing that was certain is that I was in the best company ever assembled in the Louisiana Army National Guard. The only thing greater than the professionalism and motivation of this company is the brotherhood that we have with each other. The idea that so many different types of people from so many different lifestyles and backgrounds, working together the way we do would baffle anyone outside of our circle.
From Fort Sill we began our move to our first assignment in Basra in the southern part of Iraq. There we were, separated from the rest of the battalion sent to do a mission which seemed to be fit for twice the number of people that we could provide. Every mission seemed to be a never ending flight of hour after hour of exhausting heat and blistering sun. Even with the long hours of work and the hard conditions we continued on just like alpha company will always do. Some days all you could do was think about giving up. Then all you had to do for motivation was to look at your brothers and know that you couldn’t give up on them. After what seemed like an eternity in Basra it was time to make the move. Preparing to leave Basra was not an easy job, ripping with the incoming unit and packing our equipment to move all at the same. Yet, once again a superman can’t be stopped, we pushed on and worked harder than ever.
We have since made the move to Joint base Balad which was a large transition, going from our open bay tents and limited support to our two man rooms with cable TV and real beds. A transition many of us welcomed and appreciated. Our missions haven’t seemed to change much with the move, still supporting the movement of troops around Iraq. It is an amazing thing seeing the evolution and development of this country and its people since the last time I was here in 04 to 05. It gives a Soldier a feeling of accomplishment knowing that we are not just other national guardsmen but we are now a piece of history. Even while being in such a serious and trying environment Soldiers are going to find a way to enjoy themselves. No matter where we are sent or the mission we have we will always make it home. It may be something as little as just joking around enjoying a cigar or throwing a game of darts. No matter what the situation no one can keep alpha company down. It’s not easy being the best but we keep pulling it off. Now that our journey is half way over we can only be thankful it has gone this smooth so far. Alpha company will continue doing the best job possible until the mission is over and we are returned to our awaiting families.
Sgt. Jeric E. Yeargin
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