"After a year of preparation, Guardsmen head for Afghanistan" by Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff | February 20, 2010
BROCKTON - The local soldiers will leave within days for Afghanistan, to help rebuild a country that has been at war for eight years.
As if the war is over, huh?
Surrounded by family and friends, young children and parents, the soldiers said that they have spent the last year preparing for this day and that the overwhelming show of support only confirmed their mission.
“I’m excited, I’m anxious, with just anticipation,’’ said Vargas, of Raynham. “We’ve had our lives on hold for a year now, waiting for this day to come. We’re anxious to get over there and start our mission.’’
Then I'll stop condemning the lies, deaths, and everything else. Go die for lies, Americans. I won't complain anymore. Go die for drug profits and oil pipelines.
Many soldiers said they were impressed with the size of the ceremony - attended by hundreds of people - which they took as being support for their mission.
“There’s an indescribable amount of pride,’’ said Staff Sergeant Leo Boudreau, 37, of Melrose. He had been deployed to Kosovo in 2007 and said yesterday’s ceremony had more of a community feel to it.
“When everyday people step up to say thank you, it makes a world of a difference,’’ he said.
His wife, Christina, also spoke of the support, saying, “There’s more people that generally care about what’s going on.’’
The soldiers are part of a engineering unit that specializes in building and repairing roads, airfields, and helicopter pads, as well as clearing minefields and setting up base camps.
They will serve a yearlong tour, the second deployment for the company since the war on terrorism began. In 2003, the company was sent to Kuwait, and the Guardsmen built base camps for other soldiers.
Yeah, just internalize the agenda-pusher's deceptive terms, newspaper reporter. That's just great.
Major General Joseph C. Carter, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, told the soldiers their deployment will carry on the Guard’s legacy at a time when it is playing its biggest role in a war since World War II.
“The National Guard is not only relevant in defense of our nation; it is indispensable,’’ he said. “Throughout the history of America, the Massachusetts National Guard soldiers have not only served, but they have led.’’
But NOT FIGHTING FOREIGN WARS of OCCUPATION!!
Local and state dignitaries also thanked the soldiers for their service.
US Representative Stephen F. Lynch told them they are making their country proud....
Related: Lynch's Lies About the Ladies
And he is considered anti war, readers!
Captain Christopher Furlong, 31, the company commander, has been deployed before. In 2005, he was a member of a different unit that was sent to the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq....
So he's seen torture, huh?
Several mothers and wives were also recognized for coordinating a Family Readiness Group, a network that lets the soldiers’ families interact with each other and provide support. Family members publish a newsletter and host potluck suppers and youth activities to keep in touch....
Yeah, isn't war great? Look at all the great things that come out of war.
Joe Sullivan, a staff sergeant from Melrose, said: “So many people care, it’s unbelievable. It makes you think you’re at least doing the right thing.’’
Then the SURGE in SOLDIER SUICIDES makes you realize, nope!
This was a brief in my printed paper with only one soldier having been killed.
"2 N.E. Marines are killed in Afghanistan" by Stewart Bishop and Travis Andersen, Globe Correspondent And Globe Staff | February 20, 2010
Two Marines from New England were killed in combat operations this week in Afghanistan, authorities said.
Private First Class Eric Currier, 21, of Londonderry, N.H., was killed Wednesday in Helmand Province, the US Defense Department said yesterday. Currier was hit by a sniper’s bullet just above his body armor, his grandfather, Russ Currier of Methuen, said last night.
Private First Class Kyle J. Coutu, 20, of Providence died Thursday, also in Helmand Province, according to the Defense Department. Further details on Coutu’s death were unavailable last night....
Currier joined the Marine Corps in March 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in January. His grandfather said that after Currier arrived in Afghanistan, he told relatives he was pleased to be a part of the mission.
“He said, ‘I’m proud to be over here; these people need us,’ ’’ Russ Currier said....
In September, Eric Currier married Kaila Parkhurst, formerly of Haverhill....
Now a widow because of lies.
