Marine ships out for duty in Persian Gulf

Lance Corporal

McKibben Womack. Photo provided

The major combat operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom may be nearly over, but much work remains to be done.

Marine Lance Corporal McKibben Womack will be doing some of that work.

Womack's Marine Corps Reserve Unit stationed in Denver, Colorado, is heading out this week through Germany and Kuwait to provide security and humanitarian assistance in Iraq.

The unit is actually an artillery unit and was given last-minute training in mortuary duty.

"He was actually disappointed his unit was not called up earlier, because he says they're the best-trained unit for (that) duty," McKibben's father said.

However, the rapid pace of events has created different needs.

The 20-year-old Marine reservist, the son of Thomas and Rebecca Womack, grew up in Sisters until 1996 when his family moved to Colorado. He stayed behind when his family moved back to Sisters, where Thomas works at Multnomah Publishers.

Womack was attending Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs.

"He was actually still in college when his unit was called up, so his college career was interrupted," Thomas said.

Womack's strong religious convictions play an important role in his sense of service.

"They call him 'The Reverend'," Thomas said. "He's a strong Christian and a real prayer warrior."

The rapid success of American forces in Iraq -- along with their son's strength of faith and his sharing it with his comrades -- helps his parents put their natural worries aside.

"It was hard at first when there were so many unknowns about what was happening over there -- and your mind runs to the worst-case scenario," Thomas said.

"Actually, we ended up being really encouraged about the opportunity that he has."