ANOTHER NATIONAL GUARD UNIT PREPARES TO LEAVE THE NATION

Yesterday my three sons and I went to Union City to say good-bye to and see off that engineering unit as it left Obion County for training before going to Iraq.

As I thanked them for their sacrifices and prayed God's blessings on them, I could hardly keep from joining some of the soldiers and many of their family members in tears.

There were soldiers older than me, at least in their fifties and perhaps some older than that.

There were soldiers not long out of high school, either still teenagers or looking like teens.

There were soldiers of every age in between.

Many of them I did not know. But many I did know, some awfully well. Many were friends. Others were children and spouses and loved ones of friends.

They were black and white and more, men and women, built like strong football players and petite models and in between. They were somber and laughing, but to a man and woman, they were courageous.

Keep those soldiers -- and those they love and that love them -- in your prayers.

God bless them every one.