The Army National Guard is a unique branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Guard is the one branch whose soldiers hold civilian jobs and attend college, while staying current with their military training in order to be ready to defend their country when called upon. Nearly one year ago, the 206th Engineer Battalion of the Kentucky National Guard received that call. Recent weeks have been filled with events in preparation for the unit’s deployment on Friday afternoon, July 26.
The last time the National Guard deployed outside of the United States from Owensboro was 15 years ago in 2004. The 206th will be sending 159 men and women to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) region in the Middle East. Of those over 150 soldiers, between 80 to 100 are from Owensboro and surrounding counties in Kentucky.
Yellow Ribbon Campaign Address
After multiple days of information and activities geared toward preparing families for time away from their soldiers, a Yellow Ribbon Campaign was held at the Owensboro Convention Center Thursday afternoon. The ceremony featured local and state officials, both military and civilian, and was open to the public.
The Adjutant General of Kentucky National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Major General Stephen Hogan voiced his appreciation to the standing room only crowd for their continued sacrifice and support.
“Thank you, families, for your sacrifice and willingness to stand in the gap,” Hogan said. “And I would like to thank the city of Owensboro. I don’t think there is another city in the nation that appreciates this Guard, or its soldiers, as much as this fair city of Owensboro.”
Brigade Commander Colonel Gardner addressed the crowd by sharing a story of having lunch earlier in the day at Moonlite Bar-B-Q, only to have a generous member of the community step in front of the soldiers in line and pay for their meals. He then reassured the soldiers in the crowd how much their service was appreciated.
“The people of this community and of this state love the American soldier,” Gardner said. “The people of this community and state appreciate and respect you. You are definitely not alone — we are always going to be with you in spirit here in Kentucky.”
Sergeant Hannah Crawford
When 23-year-old Hannah Crawford joined the National Guard in 2013 as a senior in high school, it was with the intention of helping to pay for her college degree at Murray State University. Now a senior and agriculture major at the University, Crawford has a lot in common with most college girls. She has two “fur babies” at home, her closest friends are her sorority sisters and she is looking forward to finishing up her senior year of college to pursue a career.
However, unlike most young women in college, Crawford has been wearing camouflage for the past six years, goes by the rank of sergeant and will be leaving for an undisclosed location in the Middle East on Friday.
“My old unit asked me if I wanted to volunteer for a deployment last year, and I was like, ‘Why not?’ I figured it was like a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Crawford said. “The whole past year has been preparing for this moment and these weeks.”
Recently promoted to the rank of sergeant, Crawford will be in charge of supply as well as the accountability of equipment while she is deployed.
She hopes to complete her college degree during her deployment, adding that it has required a lot of communication with her professors to get in her pre-deployment training, as well as coursework and finals.
The deployment trainings required over the past year have involved traveling to Indiana, Ohio and Massachusetts. But Crawford said Kentucky, specifically Owensboro, holds a special place in her heart.
“Owensboro really has become a second home,” Crawford said. “I definitely identify with Owensboro. I’ve spent a significant amount of time here now and, hopefully when we get back from the deployment, I can get a job here working for the unit full time.”
Captain Michael Hart
Military intelligence officer Captain Michael Hart has been in the Army National Guard for 19 years and has been attending drill training in Owensboro once a month and two weeks a year for the past three years.
He and his wife Jaime have been married for the past seven years. The two met when Michael was still enlisted. Shortly after they were married, Michael left for officer school, and their life has been a whirlwind ever since.
As Michael prepares for the second deployment of his career, he can’t help but think about what he is leaving behind. Jaime, her two daughters, ages 18 and 23, their son Matthew, age 6 and baby Marley, due on November 1.
Jaime said the couple found out nearly a year ago that Michael would be deploying and, soon after that, that they would be expecting their fourth child.
“We just decided whatever God was giving us, we were okay with — It’s been a crazy half a year,” Jaime said.
Like many family members staying behind at home, Jaime finds comfort in the fact that she has friends and family nearby to lean on for support.
“I’ve got my mom and dad — they live very close,” Jaime said. “I’ve got good friends that I can depend on — I just have to ask for help.”
With Jaime having a planned cesarian section, the two hope Michael will be able to come home for ten days when the baby is born.
Community Show of Patriotism
While the Convention Center exhibition hall was filled to capacity with friends, family and members of the community, the front rows were filled with local and state representatives who eagerly got up to shake each Guard member’s hand and wish them well at the conclusion of the ceremony.
“This is the greatest nation in the world, and we have it because of people like this that stepped forward when they were needed,” said Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain. “It’s one thing to say you’re supportive of veterans [and the military], it’s quite another thing to demonstrate it — not once, not twice, but in everything you do — that’s Owensboro.”
The 206th will depart for Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport Friday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The route to the airport will begin at the National Guard Armory on Tamarack Road, proceed north on Carter Road to Parrish Avenue and onto Airport Road.
The community is invited to line the route with American flags and visible displays of patriotic support during both timeframes. Those wanting to line up in support are encouraged to park their cars respectfully outside the path of travel and line the route around 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
