NADP News September 06, 2010

PORTSMOUTH — Minutes before stepping onto the flight that would bring her to the Middle East for a 12-18 month tour of duty in Iraq, Sgt. Brigitte Morrison did not show a hint of nerves.

After two months of training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, the 40-year-old Dover resident and former Marine was anxious to serve her country overseas. If she completes her mission and makes it back home, she will consider her military career complete.

"I will have accomplished my goal, which was to serve my country during wartime," she said.

Morrison, who grew up in the Rochester area, was one of 138 members of the New Hampshire Air National Guard to stop at Pease for a surprise refueling layover before flying to a staging area in Kuwait. From there, they will head into Iraq on the ground for a security mission.

Hundreds of friends and family members gathered in the terminal before the MD 11 plane landed around 1:30 a.m. this morning. Worn by fatigue and emotion, they formed a column for the troops to pass through when they stepped off the plane.

Donna and Larry Chouramanis, of Nashua, experienced mixed emotions as they waited for their 19-year-old son, Christopher. They said their tough goodbyes during a recent weekend visit, but learned about the late-night layover on Saturday.

"Of course I wanna hug him anytime I can," Donna said. "I'm happy and sad at the same time."

Although she is "very proud" of the teenager, she also worries about his fate in Iraq.

"I'm extremely nervous, afraid, concerned, but he's well-trained, so that gives me some comfort," she said.

The plane, which also carried a National Guard unit from Wyoming, was originally scheduled to refuel in Bangor, Maine. Special arrangements were made to land at Pease so people like Donna Chouramanis could see their loved ones one last time before they head overseas.

Sharon Reed, who lives in Raymond but works at Smokey Bones restaurant in Newington, spent the day calling local restaurants to arrange meals for troops. About seven area businesses contributed food — providing a treat for soldiers like Reed's brother-in-law, 19-year-old Craig Giarrusso, of Sandown.

"He's our life," Reed said, struggling to steady her voice. "He's only 19, he's a baby."

Also present this morning were members of the "Pease Greeters," a group composed mainly of VFW, American Legion and Marine Corps League members who welcome any troops that stop at the Tradeport. Airport manager Bill Hopper said troops arrive five or six times a week, but this morning's visit was special because it included a large contingent of local troops.

Brian and Brenda McDonald came from Richmond to see their 19-year-old son, Brian Jr. They waited in the terminal with nervous anticipation, along with Brian's girlfriend, Lacie Secore.

"I'm nervous, I'll be honest," said Brian McDonald Sr. "I don't tell him that, but I think any parent or significant other would be concerned."

The couple's other four children stayed at home, but were waiting by the phone for a call from their big brother. Brian and Brenda decided not to bring the siblings out of fear their emotions would run too high.

The large crowd erupted into applause as troops filed through the gate around 1:40 a.m. The soldiers, many of them still in their teens, embraced girlfriends and boyfriends and sat down with family members for a precious hour before reboarding around 2:45 a.m.

SHARON REED dishes out food this morning to New Hampshire National Guard soldiers at the Pease International Tradeport. She worked with local area restaurants to provide food to troops departing for Iraq.

Most of the troops said they were beyond the point of being nervous and were ready to go forward with their mission.

"I've had plenty of time to be nervous," said 21-year-old Spl. Joshua York, of Salem. "We've been preparing ourselves mentally for quite a while."

His mother, Diana York, was more emotional. "I cried all the way up," she said.

Spl. Peter Dodge, of Jonesport, Maine, said he views his mission from an economic standpoint.

"I live from one paycheck to another, so I'm just looking forward to the first of the month when I get paid again," he said. "If I really sat down and thought about it I probably would be nervous, but I'm going on very little sleep and I haven't seen my family in a long time, so I'm not really thinking about it," he added.

After a four-hour drive to bid her son farewell, Elizabeth Dodge tried not to overthink the situation.

"I'm trying to be really good today, but I do have a bag full of tissues," she confessed.

It was a tough night for Morrison's parents as well, but their daughter was confident she would return home safely. She was glad to be through with the intense training in Mississippi and was relieved to get an assignment doing detainee operations, which should keep her off the dangerous Iraqi roads.

"We're finally on our way to our destination," she said. "We're all glad to be out of Mississippi, because it's very hot and muggy down there."

Troops scattered around the terminal during their brief stop at Pease, some alone and others with groups of loved ones. Some smoked cigarettes outside while others enjoyed a hot meal in the lobby. Some were comforted by Sidney, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois recently certified as a therapy dog.

But all the troops eventually filed back onto the plane that would bring them to their destination. Few shed tears, displaying the type of bravery their service demands. "It's nice getting to see family one more time before heading over," said Brian McDonald Jr. after locating his parents and girlfriend.

For information on how to donate supplies for holiday care packages for N.H. Air National Guard troops, send an e-mail to supportnhguard@comcast.net.

Disclaimer