News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The world is waiting for an apparently inevitable war in Iraq. In Sisters, families are holding their breath as they prepare to see their loved ones depart for the Persian Gulf region, moving into harm's way.
PFC David Martin, U.S. Army 1st Cavalry. Photo provided
David Martin, a Sisters High School graduate and the son of Bob and Jan Martin, expects deployment in April.
Martin serves with the 1st Cavalry out of Fort Hood, Texas. His armored division will undergo extensive field training in April before departing overseas.
The looming deployment forced the young man to speed up wedding plans.
"He was supposed to get married April 18; now he's getting married March 21," said his mother, Jan.
The pending deployment is hard on family members.
"I feel awful," Jan Martin said. "It's hard to talk about it."
David's father Bob has been in his son's boots. He is a Vietnam veteran. David will be a fourth-generation veteran in the Martin family.
Bob Martin emphasized his support for the troops that form the sharp end of policy.
"I have a lot of pride in David," he said. "He's doing a great thing for his country."
Jeremy Herauf, 396th Combat Support
Hospital. Photo provided
Al and Dianne Herauf of Sisters saw their son, Jeremy, off on his deployment several weeks ago when his Army Reserve unit was called up for active duty.
Herauf, who is married and lives in Bend, runs a database to track inventory as part of the 396th Combat Support Hospital.
Support for her son is paramount to Dianne Herauf.
"I really have mixed feelings," she said.
"What gives me the most comfort is that Jeremy is okay with it. He has resolve with his commitment, that he wants to do this."
Dianne said she must "just have some faith that it will all be for a good reason."
She did not know her son's ultimate destination, although it is commonly assumed that the unit will soon leave for the Iraqi theater.
The Nugget is profiling Sisters families with loved ones overseas. If you have information, contact Jim Cornelius at 549-9941 or email [email protected]
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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