Prepare to Ride

01.25.2010

Courtesy Story

278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard

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By Staff Sgt. Tom Greene

Where Do They Come from?

The lineage runs deep. If not in direct bloodline than at least in spirit. Some of these soldiers can trace their roots through the chapters of history to names like Sevier, Jackson, Boone, Crockett, Houston and York.

They come from places like Calf Killer Creek in White County, Mossy Grove in Morgan County, Cottontown in Sumner County and Parkers Crossroads, the scene of a battle on the last day of December, 1862, in Henderson county.

Many live near side roads that branch off the main roads in communities significant only to the folks that live there. Places where you find a country store and a neighbor who will offer aid to a stranger. People who will take their hat off for the national anthem and pull their vehicle to the side of the road when a funeral procession passes. Places where the tendrils of smoke from a wood burning stove add to natures painting of hillside and coves during a sunrise in small town America.

Other live in metropolitan areas and bedroom communities and suburbs and places where the roads are winding and the creeks run swift.

They come from along the great Tennessee River and its tributaries; the Holston, Clinch, Powell, French Broad, Little T, Pigeon, Emory, Big South Fork and the Cumberland as well as from the delta country in the west near the water highway that is the geographical divide of a nation.

Who Are These People?

They are a unique collection of men and women about to deploy to Iraq. They are plumbers and welders, carpenters and factory workers, architects and engineers, doctors, nurses and even one state representative. Some were students at universities and some were unemployed but all left a husband or wife, sweetheart or family, good friends or children and unfinished projects and dreams to continue at the end of the deployment.

Some have stories similar to Staff Sgt. Michael Maupin of Hendersonville who joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and answered the call of duty to Vietnam in '69. In1991 he answered the call again and deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Storm. Maupin deployed a third time with the 278th in OIF III.

Others may have more in common with 19 year old Pvt. John Patrick from New Tazewell who just completed entry training at Fort Lee, Va., and whose deployment will last longer than he has time in the service.

There are those who can relate to Spc. Edward Mayhue Ramsey of Clarksville whose great grandfather served with then Lt. George Patton under General John J. "Black-jack" Pershing in the chase of Pancho Villa along the Mexican border in 1916.

Not all of the regiment are from Tennessee but all are "Volunteers." The regiment includes neighbors from the commonwealth of Kentucky and their history of superior mounts and the experience that comes from a previous deployment of convoy security missions.

Also deploying with the 278th is a company from the wolverine state, the 1073rd Maintenance Company of Greenville, Mich. Many come from Danish stock and can claim viking lineage.

Why Are They Here?

Some are here for the bonus money and education benefits. Others will tell you like Spc. Benjamin Bickings from Parkers Crossroads who said he is here for the challenge. Master Sgt. Michael Oliver from Bowling Green, Ky., a veteran of OIF III said he is here because of the call of duty.

Some say they want to serve and others want to be a part of the final chapter of OIF. Perhaps Warrant Officer Andrea Adcox from Greenbriar had a sense of history when she said, "I want to be part of the group who is there when we turn off the lights and put the key under the mat."

All have a reason for serving. Spc Adam Bowers of Nashville said he signed up to turn his life around, to replace indirection with direction. Spc. Joaquin Dansby of Ashland City with a shrug of his shoulders said "when duty calls, we answer."

Spc. Matthew Barber of Mossy Grove said he's here to cover the back of Spc. Aaron Davis, a soldier who has been a best friend since childhood.

So the brothers and sisters of the 278th Cavalry, get ready to put on your spurs and Stetson and step into the stirrup and grab the reins for the time is nigh to form up, answer the roll call and strike the tent.

I VOLUNTEER SIR!!!