Photo By Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin | Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) stand by, awaiting to set out on...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Families and friends stood by and watched as more than 150 Marines and sailors with 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) loaded onto buses for their journey to Afghanistan here, Jan. 20.
The service members are headed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
While on the brightly lit parade deck, families and friends of deploying personnel, as well as fellow service members gathered to have their final conversations in person for at least the next six months to a year. For some, it was just another deployment, but for many, this is the first time they’re leaving the country in the Marine Corps uniform. It wasn’t the fact that they’re headed to an unfamiliar land that troubled them, the hardest part was saying goodbye to the people and the luxuries they loved most.
“It’s hard for me because I had to leave my daughter,” said Cpl. Brittany Anderson, administration clerk, G-1, 1st MLG (Forward), who was deploying for the first time.
Even though it’s hard to leave everything behind, everyone understood it’s their duty, Anderson explained. Her 2-year-old daughter moved to Texas so her grandparents could help raise her while Anderson is deployed. She’s going to miss a part of her daughter’s childhood, but she’s looking forward to the day she reunites with her baby girl.
“It’s been hard to deal with already, but I am looking forward to deploying,” said Anderson. “It’ll make the reunion even more meaningful that way.”
As the buses drove up and the deploying unit started loading their bags, the announcement sounded through the speakers, “15 minutes before we depart.” The last few minutes were filled with hugs, kisses and handshakes before it was time for everyone to board the buses and take off to their next destination.
It was finally their time to leave. As the buses disappeared off of the lit parade deck onto the dark road, family members waved goodbye for the last time, and began the countdown until their reunion.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2012 19:50 |
| Story ID: | 82735 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 195 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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