Iraq

Reservists say goodbye as talk turns to action

The clouds of war make more poignant a farewell ceremony for more than 200 soldiers at Legends Field.

By CURTIS KRUEGER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 18, 2003

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[Times photo: Stefanie Boyar] Three-year-old Ryan Johnson clings to his father, Sgt. Wayne Johnson of Lakeland, after a farewell ceremony for soldiers from two units at Legends Field in Tampa on Monday.

But he's not willing to say goodbye to a way of life.

That, he said, is why he was ready to ship out and fight against terrorism.

"The way we live is endangered," because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said Lamolli, a middle school teacher from Clermont. "I'd rather take it to them before they take it to us."

Lamolli was among more than 200 soldiers in two Tampa-based Army Reserve units that gathered for a sendoff Monday at Legends Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

With their families cheering from the stands, members of the 317th Military Police Battalion and the 810th Military Police Company marched onto the baseball field, listened to brief speeches and said their goodbyes.

Sgt. Maj. James Voltoline looked up from the diamond and saw his wife, Dena, and four children holding up signs that said: "You're our hero Daddy."

"It brings a tear to your eyes," he said.

Many Reserve and National Guard units have conducted similar sendoff ceremonies in recent months. But this one came on what appeared to be almost the eve of war. The speakers included U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa, and Yankees pitching great Roger Clemens.

Clemens told them, "I consider myself to be a team player but you guys, you men and women, are the ultimate team." Star shortstop Derek Jeter also appeared and signed autographs for the soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Michael R. Mayo, representing the Army Reserve's 81st Regional Support Command, said after the national anthem played that he felt like saying, "Play ball."

"But I think it's more appropriate for this group to use the words, 'Let's roll,' " Mayo said. Those were the words used by Todd Beamer, who is believed to have helped thwart the terrorists aboard one of the hijacked airliners on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rep. Davis said there were "no easy answers" in the debate over how best to disarm Saddam Hussein, but Davis said soldiers should know Americans are solidly behind their efforts. "You will be our ambassadors, our representatives, our soldiers, our protectors."

The soldiers said they were sad about leaving their families, but not scared of military action against Hussein.

"I wish we had done this two months ago. . . . We're ready," said Voltoline, 39, of Sanford, who in civilian life is operations manager of a labeling company.

"We're all sure that we're going to win the war, if there is a war," said Spc. Desmond Hooper, 22, of Tampa. "But everyone is sacrificing being with their families."

For Spc. Christian Perry, 23, of Largo, saying goodbye meant sticking his finger inside a baby stroller. His 2-month-old son Hunter wrapped tiny fingers around it.

"It's overwhelming," said his wife, Jessica Perry.

-- Curtis Krueger can be reached at krueger@sptimes.com or by calling (727) 893-8232.

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