Home » Archives » "Goodbye, ordinary world"

Goodbye, ordinary world

Oct- 1-2004 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

[Link to Full Article]
ANGIE LEVENTIS; The News Tribune

Lt. Daniel Burkhart spent the last few days before his deployment to Iraq with his parents who flew in from Massachusetts to say goodbye.

His mother, Sandra Burkhart, didn't break down until it was time to go over the final details of the 24-year-old's will.

"But they're behind me 100 percent," the Fort Lewis soldier said. "All of us see purpose to this, even though it's going to be tough. It's for the good of us, and for the good of the nation."

Burkhart was one of about 400 from the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment who flew out of McChord Air Force Base on Thursday afternoon.

It's part of Fort Lewis' 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. The Army's second Stryker brigade - made up of nearly 5,000 soldiers - is deploying to Iraq to replace Fort Lewis comrades from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division who are wrapping up a one-year tour of duty in the Mosul area. They will begin returning next week.

Sgt. Kyle Gazaway admitted he was a little scared as he waited to board a flight that eventually would take him to a combat zone.

"I never thought the day would come," the cavalry scout said. "I never thought I would see this."

But he was excited at the same time. It's the 22-year-old's first deployment, and he said he's glad to do his part.

He kissed his girlfriend goodbye at 6 a.m.

"She said that she loved me," he said.


Advertisements