SALT LAKE CITY — Newlyweds kissed, parents took pictures and hugs were exchanged all around as a 15-piece band played upbeat tunes.
But this was no wedding celebration; rather it was a send-off for the Utah National Guard's 144th Area Support Medical Company, which left on the first leg of its yearlong deployment Saturday from Salt Lake City.
The unit, which consists of approximately 80 troops, deployed Saturday as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit will first train in Fort Lewis, Wash., for about a month before continuing on to Afghanistan.
Capt. David Stefl, commander of the unit, said without hesitation that his soldiers were ready for this deployment.
"We're just ready to go, ready to do our mission and ready to get back home," he said.
Because it is a medical company, the unit will focus on providing medical care for common injuries, as well as triage.
The soldiers in Stefl's unit were just as certain about their abilities to be successful, but many were reluctant to say goodbye to family members and friends. This deployment is the first for many of the soldiers. The last time this unit deployed was in 2005 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Ryan Sutherland said only 10 percent of the soldiers leaving today were deployed in 2005.
Ryan Reneer deployed for his first time after 2½ years in the unit. Reneer had mixed emotions about the upcoming events. Reneer will be leaving his wife of nine months, Elise.
"I'm proud, but it's going to be lonely," Elise Reneer said as she wiped tears from her eyes. "Sending your best friend to a war zone isn't the best thing."
Pvt. Casey Tripp has been in the unit for six months, and like Reneer, he is looking forward to spending time with his family when he returns, especially his 10-month-old daughter, Natalie.
"I'm ready to get it done, come home and spend time with family," Tripp said.
Pfc. Waynette Denny has been in the National Guard for four years and is ready for her first long-term deployment.
"I'm excited to get over there, get started and learn new things," Denny said.
In addition to family members and friends, other members of the community and the Utah National Guard showed up to display their support. Gen. Mike Liechty, who is not deploying and is a land component commander for Utah, has been to Afghanistan on visits.
"They're going to have a very interesting mission over there," Liechty said. "They may be in a hospital or a clinic, which could be a one-room hut. They could be put into some real native situations."
Liechty said the troops will reach out to the native people, offer medical care and hopefully help build trust.
Kassie Leavitt, whose husband deployed a few days before the unit to begin preparations for arrival in Washington, will play an active role in helping the families left behind cope with the absence of their loved ones. Leavitt, of Eagle Mountain, is the leader of the Family Readiness Group for the unit.
"While the soldiers are gone, I help get information that the families might need," Leavitt said.
Leavitt said this can include everything from listening to them cry to helping to fix their cars. Additionally, she will organize monthly activities for the family members. On Saturday she served snacks and beverages to the departing troops and their families.
Standing tall to show their support were the Patriot Guard Riders. The group, which is known for riding motorcycles to military events, had nearly 50 members in attendance Saturday.
Mickey Glackin, one of the Patriot Guard Riders, said the group was honored to be in attendance Saturday. He said the military has to request the riders' presence at deployments.
"We go to welcome-homes, thank God," Glackin said. "Unfortunately, we're at funerals, too."
Although many of the riders are active military or veterans, Glackin said members don't need to have military ties.
"We ride in together for the impression," Glackin said. "We want to show our support and solidarity and let the common folk know we care."
In addition to mingling with soldiers and their family members, the riders lined the tarmac holding American flags as the soldiers, carrying pillows, flowers, gift bags and cards, boarded their plane to Washington state.
e-mail: ejames@desnews.com