LEBANON — Tears of sacrifice and a swelling of pride joined together at a special ceremony to honor soldiers from southwest Ohio about to embark on a tour of duty for their country.
A Call to Duty ceremony was held at the Urbancrest Baptist Church to honor the men and women of the “Black Knights” B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry unit out of Lebanon; 132 soldiers will from the unit will head to Iraq later this month for a one-year tour-of-service.
Pvt. Bryan Converse has only been with the National Guard about six months and found out his unit had been called to duty two weeks into his basic training.
“It’s what I joined for,” Converse said. “I love my country and I want to do everything I can for it.”
Converse was surrounded by friends and family after the hourlong ceremony.
“I guess since 9/11 he really felt compelled to do this,” said Converse’s grandmother, Carol, getting choked up. “We’re very proud of his commitment and all the troops who are were here today.”
Hundreds of people crammed into Urbancrest church for the ceremony. Two fire trucks hoisted their ladders over the entrance to the church’s parking lot and displayed a large American flag at the peak.
“When I look out here, I see the faces of America,” said Adj. Gen. Matthew Kambic of the Ohio National Guard. “I see the faces of love and compassion, toughness and determination, peace and hope.”
Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer noted she had taught several of the soldiers in the audience, before tearing up in her speech.
“I am overwhelmed,” Brewer. “We will surround you with our thoughts and prayers.”
The families of the unit were given special recognition throughout the program as well. Family members received a Blue Star Service Banner to display while their loved ones were on duty. Urbancrest church also gave each soldier a bandana with the Soldier’s Prayer on it.
“We’ll get it done, get back, and move on,” said Sgt. Scott Compton, who has been with the Black Knights for six and a half years. “I will miss my family, but this is our duty.”
The unit will first head to Camp Shelby, Miss., where they will receive additional training before they deploy overseas, according to the Ohio National Guard. In Iraq, the unit will perform convoy security operations.
While the soldiers were excited about serving their country, they also admitted there were things at home they would miss.
“I’ll miss my family,” Converse said. “And deer season and baseball.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
