Farewell but never goodbye

Jess Oaks
Posted 7/31/24

TORRINGTON – The community gathered on the warm and beautiful morning of July 30 at the Weisman Football Field in Torrington to bid farewell to the brave men and women of the Wyoming National …

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Farewell but never goodbye

Posted

TORRINGTON – The community gathered on the warm and beautiful morning of July 30 at the Weisman Football Field in Torrington to bid farewell to the brave men and women of the Wyoming National Guard 920th Forward Support Company. In the crowd were proud mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives and children as well as many soldiers.

“Good morning 920th. I invite you to pray in your own traditions I pray in mine. Lord, God, Almighty, this morning we have a take up for our mighty mules and their beloved families,” Battalion Chaplain at Wyoming Army National Guard, Chaplain Cornell said during the implications of the ceremony. “These warriors have spent months preparing physically and mentally. You have trained their hands for war as the solemn claims. Helping recognize in these last hours the emotional and the spiritual aspects of leaving are surfacing like before. Tears have been shed. Promises have been made. Prayers have been prayed. Mommies and Daddies have had hard conversations.”

The chaplain continued, asking for strength and comfort for all families and community members who would send their loved ones to war and the soldiers who proudly answered a call. 

“For the soldiers for this gifted unit, from Wyatt [Winget] to Wilder on down to the youngest private, grant that they might have courage and motivation that they have never known before as we embark on the journey of a lifetime,” Chaplain Cornell said. 

During the ceremony, it was announced there were 363 men and women who were being deployed and 123 of those members are from the 920th Forward Support Company. This deployment will be the eighth deployment of the 2300 Company of Wyoming Army National Guard. Soldiers will be deploying to serval countries in the middle east to complete Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve, military spokespersons said. 

After recognizing special guests of outstanding military personnel, representatives from Wyoming State Senator Cynthia Lummis’ office, US Senator John Barrasso’s office and Torrington City Council members, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon walked to the podium to address the crowd and soldiers. 

“Good morning, thank you. It is wonderful to be here, and I have to tell you the better part of my job is to welcome you all home,” Gordon said. “It is key that we make sure that we travel safely and return home. In 2019, Jenny [Gordon] and I had just taken office and our trip to visit this unit remains in our memory. The reason it was so important to us is because Jenny comes from a military family. She knows, as do I, how tough it is to be deployed, particularly for those who are at home for the children, for the spouses and for the parents,” Gordon continued. “But you know this county exists, our form of government exists, because we were the first nation in the world to rely on a volunteer military force. That force repealed the British from Boston and was so committed that they marched, many of them without shoes, all the way to New York to defend this experiment, which is extortionary. No other country, no other form of government has been more successful.”

“I will tell you, what we see happening in the world now, is scary,” Gordon said. “But we can all rest easier because of you, the men and women, the soldiers, the warriors that defend these principles. I ask you, to make sure you watch out for one another and to make sure that you know that we have your back.”

Gordon then addressed the families of the deployed. 

“For the families, as I said, Jenny and I know the feeling. We care. If there is anything, please, never hesitate to reach out,” Gordon said. “George Washington said the best way to avoid war is to prepare for it. You all have been preparing since 2022. I am amazed at your professionalism and at your abilities. I know that wherever you go, and we have heard this over and over again, Wyoming has the best soldiers, and we are the most dedicated state to defend those soldiers.”

Gordon commented Wyoming has a strong dedication to military personnel explaining Wyoming is the only place where everybody stands when soldiers go by.

“God bless you. God bless the mission you are on. God bless Wyoming and keep us safe,” Gordon concluded.

A short letter from US Senator John Barrasso was read during the ceremony.

“’Dear soldiers, today we recognize the men and women of the Wyoming Army National Guard as you prepare to deploy abroad. It is important we remember the great sacrifices you made to defend our country and protect our freedoms. With courage and determination, you preserve the sanctity of our nation’s values,” Barrasso’s letter said. “We know you do not take this mission lightly. This is a challenging day for your loved ones. Each of you bears the burden of deployment with grace and posse. Our nation owes you our gratitude and support.”

“The Wyoming Guard has been deploying for over 136 years. Each of you represents a segment of that history going forward,” Major General Porter said to the soldiers. “Good organizations understand their purpose. 920th understands its purpose. You’re the sword." 

“I want to thank each of you for the oath that you took to defend our state and our nation. Each of you, for whatever reasons, decided, committed, that you would serve,” Porter said. “And the ultimate expression of that oath is your deployment today. I cannot tell you how proud of you your leadership is of you and the men and women of Wyoming.”