| By SABRINA BATES
Special to The Messenger
Six years ago, Billy Laird of Martin was standing in the parking lot of the John Tanner National Guard Armory in Union City sending one of his sons to the Middle East in service with the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 913th Engineer Co. His son, 23-year-old Sgt. Dustin D. Laird, never made the trip home from the war in the Middle East. He was killed in the line of duty Aug. 1, 2006 — about two months before the unit completed its tour of duty.
Six years later, Billy Laird stood in the parking lot of the Little General convenience store adjacent to the armory with his motorcycle beside him in preparation of a send-off of the 163 members of the unit.
Billy Laird, like so many others, is a member of the Patriot Guard, a nationwide organization whose mission encompasses a wide range of tasks involving military service members. While he shares the same purpose with his comrades, Billy Laird’s story is quite different.
“Today is one of the hardest missions I have ever done,” Billy Laird said after briefing more than 60 fellow Patriot Guard motorcycle riders Thursday morning. He was chosen as the “ride captain” of the mission. Billy Laird said there was no doubt the escort of the Tennessee Army National Guard soldiers to the Memphis airport would be an emotional one. While the missions are optional for Patriot Guard members, the father of Sgt. Dustin Laird said this mission was one that had to be undertaken.
“This was Dustin’s unit. We are sending them off to go right back over where they were six years ago. I have had several people call and ask me to do this for them… Dustin would have done this himself and he would want me to do it,” Billy Laird said.
“When I pull out today, there is no doubt there will be tears that I will fight back. I will not be looking back when we leave,” Billy Laird said Thursday before departing the armory.
Fighting back tears, he added the Patriot Guard members standing there will escort them out, and they will be there to bring them home.
During his “briefing” with Patriot Guard members before they lined their motorcycles in the front and rear of the three buses that carried out the members of the 913th Engineer Company, Billy Laird was sure to announce they were not the main attraction today. He said the soldiers are the main attraction.
“Our mission is to get them there honorably and respectfully. That is what they deserve.”
Dustin Laird’s uncle, Jackie Laird, said the task at hand Thursday would also serve to be the most emotional one. Jackie Laird has stood in numerous flag lines for troop departures and coming home events, as well as funerals for fallen soldiers and veterans’ memorial services.
Six years ago, when the 913th Engineer Company left Union City bound eventually for the Middle East, Jackie Laird was building tires at Goodyear.
“I missed the first send-off because I had to work. This is definitely the hardest mission. I haven’t really thought about why I do it. This is my way of showing respect for what Dustin did and what these men and women do for our country,” Jackie Laird said.
A third Patriot Guard member who has also experienced the emotional anguish of losing a family member to the war in the Middle East joined the Laird brothers on their mission Thursday morning.
Mike Morel, father of Marine Capt. Brent Morel, said that while it is sad to send off the unit, they were there to show support of those who signed up for the mission in the Middle East.
“When you are in a unit, you know deployment is a possibility. It is sad to see them leave — yes, but my heart goes out to those who are saying goodbye to their family members,” Morel said.
Capt. Brent Morel was killed on active duty in Fallujah in 2004. He was 27 years old.
Nearly 60 motorcycle riders from across West Tennessee and west Kentucky provided escort for the 913th Engineer Co. The three riders carrying heavy emotional baggage with them vowed to respectfully see the troops to their destination at the Memphis airport for the entire trip. Keeping faith that the soldiers return in 12 months from their deployment, the trio vow to also bring the unit home.
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Editor’s note: Sabrina Bates is editor of The Weakley County Press. Published in The Messenger 8.19.11 |
