Soldiers from Bolivar and Lexington Deploy for Duty
BOLIVAR, Tenn- A day after Memorial Day, hundreds lined up to say emotional goodbyes to family and friends headed for deployment in Afghanistan. More than 100 soldiers from Bolivar and Lexington left the National Guard Armory in Bolivar early Tuesday morning. “It doesn’t get any easier,” said Nikki Brown, a military wife married to Sgt. Kenny Brown. She said this will be the third time her husband deployed. “You can’t put it into words,” she said. “They sacrifice a lot.” “It’s hard on families,” said Sgt. Brown. “No matter how many times you leave.” This will be Caleb Watkins’ first tour of duty. “I’m a little nervous. I will be gone from home for a really long time for the first time,” said Watkins. After leaving the armory, soldiers flew out of McKeller-Sipes Regional Airport to Fort Bliss,Texas. From there, they will head to Afghanistan, where they will stay for a year. “We know we if we have support back home it makes our job easier,” said Watkins. “My whole lifestyle is about public service,” added Sgt. Brown. Soldiers are expected to return in June of next year.
