Local Army Reservists leave for active duty
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Six members of the Alabama Army Reserve in Troy have been reassigned to the 495th Transportation Company in Lakeland, Fla.
The soldiers were notified of their activation on Monday and left Tuesday for Lakeland where they will join the 495th and then be assigned to Fort Stewart, Ga. for additional processing and training.
The soldiers were activated for a year and their whereabouts after they leave Fort Stewart is unknown.
Capt. Alison Gardner, unit commander, said the soldiers were transported by van and military vehicle to Montgomery to catch a flight to Lakeland.
&uot;For security reasons, they traveled in civilian clothes,&uot; Gardner said. &uot;The unit has been on alert for a month and everyone knows they are to be ready to move in a day's notice.&uot;
None of the soldiers involved were surprised that they were called to active duty and each one said they are ready to serve in whatever capacity they are needed and wherever.
&uot;We've been through family readiness training and we all knew it was possible that we might be called and given only a 24 to 72 hours notice,&uot; said Sgt. Curtis Kent. &uot;I was in Desert Storm and that was much more emotional than this time. My children kind of know what to expect. I have my own business and I had to get that taken care of. I'm ready to go.&uot;
One day's notice was no problem for Kent and Company.
&uot;That's all we needed,&uot; he said. &uot;We're ready to roll!&uot;