Elkhart-based National Guard unit told to prepare for deployment

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jan 22, 2008 at 7:24 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 22, 2008 at 7:24 PM EDT

Nearly 150 local soldiers could head overseas.

The Indiana National Guard notified members of the Elkhart-based 1538th transportation unit to prepare for deployment.

The Army isn't saying where or when they'll be deployed.

Forty-one members of that unit returned home last February after serving in Kuwait and Iraq.

Right now, the National Guard isn't sure if any of those members will have to serve again.

Sunday, Feb 3 at 5:57 PM Unit Member wrote ...

I'm sure that mostly everyone has heard of the childhood story, "The boy who called 'Wolf'". If we, as soldiers, were to tell the world about every deployment rumor we hear, then WSBT would have a phone call every day. I just want the public to know that only physical, documented orders garauntee that soldiers are protected from "Soldier Discrimination". In my opinion, this should be classified. Soldier privacy comes BEFORE public knowledge.

Thursday, Jan 24 at 3:14 PM Marj wrote ...

To Guard wife, Thats all I was trying to say,Thank you and bless you. I know in my heart they will be fine, we will just miss them alot.

Thursday, Jan 24 at 2:40 PM ChaCha wrote ...

Unit Member, Nothing set in stone?

Thursday, Jan 24 at 2:39 PM Just one more National Guard Wife wrote ...

For get about me as a Wife of a soldier what about the kids that saw this news and are now having trouble with the news that mom or dad is going over. Some of the people I know held it back from the kids till we got the orders in HAND. Now I know of a few familys that are very upset that this was done and have kids very very upset. I told our 5 way back when about it but mine are older what about the ones who saw it on TV for the First time about it. THATS NOT EVEN COOL TO DO TO A KID.

Thursday, Jan 24 at 2:07 PM jill wrote ...

unit member, When my husband was deployed, He did get it in writing so that he could get a leave of absence for his work and to get things in order.

Thursday, Jan 24 at 12:41 PM unit member wrote ...

The unit was told about being deployed but nothing was set in stone on any dates. WSBT only released the information they were allowed to release through the proper channels. As a senior member of this unit, I can guarantee that all drilling members were informed of this deployment and of what time frame they are leaving. It is not the media's fault that your son didn't tell you the truth. To Jill, I don't know where you got your info from, but they may not always get things in writing.

Thursday, Jan 24 at 11:29 AM jill wrote ...

Kudos to you Marj! The media is overplaying! And you are correct. the unit will receive a letter of deployment. they will not be advised by the media! Shame on wsbt!

Thursday, Jan 24 at 9:39 AM Marj wrote ...

to unknown, He does listen. They were told they are on alert and it could be june or july. the media is playing that it is here now. And he has not nor has anyone in that unit been officialy told yet, when they are informed it will be in writing and delivered by mail. NOT the media!

Thursday, Jan 24 at 6:34 AM Unknown wrote ...

Marj, every soldier in the unit has been aware for a while now. If you son didn't know, its probably because he chose not to listen.

Wednesday, Jan 23 at 9:01 PM 1538th family member wrote ...

Actually, the families have known that this deployment was in the works. This story did not tell us any more than we already were privy too.

Wednesday, Jan 23 at 8:34 PM no name wrote ...

I think the way this information was released should have been handled in better care of people's feelings. I am aware of where this information came from but I don't think they considered the families and especially the children's reactions to first hearing this on the news. I feel they should have been given a heads up that the information was going to be released so that the families had time to prepare each other with the news first. This has caused problems within families of this unit.

Wednesday, Jan 23 at 7:52 AM Marj wrote ...

My son is in that unit and he has NOT been officially told they are leaving. If they are leaving than why haven't the families been told before the media?

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