RONNIE ARGO

“I know the mission has to be done by someone and now the someone is the 278th Regimental Combat Team which I proudly belong to. I hate the fact I’ll have to be away from my family for over a year, but our mission is more important because we might negate an attack in the future. And also by going I believe I’m securing my children and their future,” he said.

An 18-year veteran of the local unit of Tennessee National Guard, Argo worked as a tool and die journeyman before going active duty for I Troop 12 years ago.

The hardest part about being mobilized, he said, is leaving his family, which consists of his wife, Donna, children Joshua and Sara, and parents George T. and Frances Argo.

“The easiest part about leaving,” he added, “is knowing my family is being taken care of. That part doesn’t worry me at all.”

Argo said the best thing people can do for himself and his fellow troops in the coming year is to pray and write letters.

“This helps more than anyone will ever know,” he said.