Volunteer Soldiers serve with family

Courtesy Photo | (left to right) Sgt. 1st Class Charles Hudgins, the recovery motor sergeant for the 776th Maintenance Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, and his step-son Spc. Robert Klein, a recovery wrecker operator, both from Hohenwald, Tennessee, serving together in their second deployment together to Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

TAJI, IRAQ

03.13.2009

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - When it comes to deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan, no one is more affected than a loving mother, especially if that mother's husband is deployed alongside their son.

Volunteer State Soldiers with the Tennessee Army National Guard, 776th Maintenance Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade here have something special within their ranks of Soldiers.

With 198 Soldiers in the 776th deployed to Iraq, eight share common ground not only in Tennessee, but wherever they go. Four Soldiers in the unit deployed side-by-side with their fathers for Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11. For two of the father/son pairs, this will be their second deployment together to Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Charles Hudgins of Hohenwald, the recovery team motor sergeant and his step-son, Pfc. Robert Klein, a convoy vehicle recovery team wrecker driver, work separate shifts, but try to chat with each other in passing, in the chow hall, and sit and talk about the day's experiences during down time. Hudgins said, "I would be right there in the trucks with him on the convoys if the company would let me. I know my job is important, but I'd like to be right there with him."

Sgt. 1st Class Marion Klinghard, from Summertown, works as the Ground Service Equipment section sergeant and his son, Spc. A.J. Klinghard, a generator mechanic in the G.S.E. section working for his father. "It is easier working for someone you have known your whole life, because you can tell when they are getting worked up and you know when to back off and give them some space and time to cool off, said Spc. Klinghard. On the other hand, family members are easier to talk to and easier to ask a question when you need help with something."

The Klinghards were very cautious before Spc. Klinghard signed up for the Tennessee Army National Guard; they wanted to make sure father and son would be in the same unit, just in case they deployed. This being their second deployment together, they seem to have a great understanding of what it takes to be a good working team. The Klinghards get together in the evenings or early in the mornings to call home with a speaker system so they both can conference call the family back in Summertown.

The father and son team of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Tester, a specialized maintenance technician and his son 1st Lt. Gregory Tester, the shop officer for 776th Maint. Co., from Elizabethton, said that they work so much here in Iraq, the only quality time they get is walking back and forth to the dining facility, working out at the gym, and walking to work.

"Confidence and respect are the two things that make our relationship so strong," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tester. "My son knows his stuff and I have learned many things from him, he is so knowledgeable it makes it easy to learn."

"Spending quality time together in Kuwait and Iraq has consisted of many games of spades and countless games of pool at the Moral Welfare Recreation halls," said Pfc. Nicolas Batts, a light wheel mechanic, and his step-father Sgt. Chris Teet, a track mechanic, both residents of Centerville. Sgt. Teet said, "It is great to have family around when you need a release from the stress of work." Communication with the family is even more important now that there are two men out of the house. Sgt. Teet and Pfc. Batts said they send instant messages and web cam to the family back home in Centerville together, so their family can see them and talk at the same time.

After talking to each father, each had the same to say about how their wife feels about her husband and son being deployed at the same time. "This deployment is twice as hard on my wife with both of us deployed to Iraq, but on the other hand, she has some peace of mind knowing that I am here watching over our son," said Klinghard.

Cherri Klinghard, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Klinghard and mother to Spc. Klinghard said, "This is not my husband's first deployment with the Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard, so I am confident my husband is fine. Also now that while my son is there, he has his father and his father's friends to look after him as well during his deployment." "Christmas and birthdays have been tough without them here, I feel like they are missing many things here at home, but I am confident they are doing the right thing for our country," she said. "We are so proud of you and we will be here when you get back, stay safe, and come home soon."

There is something special to say about these families who have given father and son to the U. S. Army to help fight the war on terror. What their families go through in their absence is grueling, but gaining respect and confidence in serving our great nation in the U. S. Army, outweighs any price to be paid.

• Date Taken: 03.13.2009
• Date Posted: 03.13.2009 04:50
• Story ID: 31066
• Location: TAJI, IQ