N.Y. reservists begin predeployment training

[unhappycamper]

N.Y. reservists begin predeployment training
Ernst Lamothe Jr. - The (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle
Posted : Tuesday Jan 6, 2009 21:06:15 EST

CHILI, N.Y. — Adam Bacon joined the military a year-and-half ago because he wanted to find a true purpose in life and make a recognizable difference in the world. He will get his opportunity to complete those missions overseas as part of a Marine unit headed to Iraq later this year.

More than 250 people gave the Marine reservists a boisterous send-off Monday evening at the Naval Operations Support Center in Chili, about 20 miles southwest of Rochester.

Joined by military police companies from Minnesota and North Dakota, the 74 Marines from Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse will arrive in California and train for several months before traveling to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As military responsibility is slowly being transferred from U.S. to Iraqi forces, the unit will help secure Anbar province.

Bacon has known about his deployment since August. He said the easiest part was getting mentally ready for his new adventure, while the toughest moments surrounded emotional conversations with his family and best friend, Chelsea Decargelis.

“It’s been incredibly tough knowing that family will be so far away and not knowing the exact time that I will be back home,” said Bacon, 19, of Rochester. “But this is why I joined the Marines and I’m excited about the opportunity to take on a new challenge.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/01/marine_nyreservists_010609w/%2e