Community shows support for troops

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Spec. David Lyle and daughter Alison get ready to chow down on some Prater’s barbecue at the dinner given by County Executive Kenneth Rogers and Commissioner Gary Prater. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

With the deployment of more than 130 soldiers from Warren County’s National Guard unit coming up next week, county residents and officials are making a concerted effort to show their support for our troops. As part of this effort, a free meal of Prater’s barbecue was served at the Armory last night sponsored by county commissioner, and local restaurant owner, Gary Prater along with County Executive Kenneth Rogers.

Prater, owner of Prater’s Barbecue, provided the food, while Middle Tennessee Surgical Center provided the dessert of cakes and cupcakes with a patriotic theme. Rogers provided drinks and Ben Lomand provided 132 free calling cards for the soldiers to use to call their families while in training before going overseas. The cards will provide 15 minutes of free long distance calls that can be used from anywhere within the United States. The soldiers were also presented with a plastic container with various toiletries and supplies provided by Prater and Rogers that included another phone card with another 60 minutes of talk-time.

Prater’s daughter has served overseas and, according to Rogers, he feels a kinship with the families and what they have to deal with during a deployment of this type. As a result, and to show his personal support, he invites any immediate family members of these soldiers to show their military ID at his restaurant and he will give them a 50 percent discount on their meals while the soldier is serving overseas.

“We just felt like we needed to do something to show our troops here from our county that we appreciate what they’re doing,” Rogers said. “Being an ex-serviceman during the Vietnam War, I understand, and my family understands, what they’re going through now, getting orders like this without actually understanding what they’re going to be facing, and the worry of their loved ones being in harm’s way. We can’t do a whole lot to ease that pain, but we just want to show our appreciation that they’re willing to serve our country.”

Troop Commander Capt. Jim Reed said the county’s show of support has been a boost to the soldier’s morale.

“This is the first time that the 278th has been mobilized and called up federally,” Reed said, though he noted the troops did not know as yet exactly where they would be deployed. “But wherever duty calls we’ll be prepared to fulfill that mission.”

Even though the show of support for the soldiers themselves has been heartening, Reed said he had one special request of local residents.

“There’s been an overwhelming amount of people calling over and wanting to support us and asking what they can do,” Reed said. “But the biggest thing I would like to see is once we do leave the area that they remember our families that are back here. Anything they can do, to provide a positive atmosphere, that the citizens continue to fly the flag with pride and the yellow ribbons and stuff like that. You know, that means a lot to our families because they’re having to sacrifice just like we are.”

Reed said this was especially important for the children.

“The children are the ones that suffer more because they don’t understand the full meaning of what we’re doing and the freedom that we’re fighting for.”