Everett Guard members prepare for deployment to Iraq

EVERETT — Joe Ledgett was dressed in combat fatigues at Everett’s Forest Park on Tuesday.

In his arms, he cradled his infant daughter, Ali, who wore a white knit cap. Ledgett’s mother, sister and wife stood by his side and talked about how much they’ll miss him.

A technical writer in his civilian life, the 35-year-old Edmonds man is also a citizen soldier. And he is heading to a war zone for the second time in four years.

He is preparing himself for a deployment to Iraq with about 2,400 National Guardsmen from Washington and 900 from California who are members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team.

More than half of the team are being deployed to the Middle East for the second time. Some served in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and elsewhere.

“I’ve been spending time with family and preparing for being gone,” Ledgett said.

The American Legion’s 2nd District, which represents several posts in Washington, organized a send-off barbecue for about 150 soldiers at Forest Park in Everett on Tuesday.

The soldiers are based at Everett’s National Guard Armory.

It was one of several farewells held throughout the state, and one of two attended by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

After struggling for more than a year and a half to condense the training process, Guard leaders have managed to chop months off the time that citizen soldiers must spend away from their jobs and families because of deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Still, the time away can have an economic and emotional toll on families.

George “Paul” Galovin, 30, of Snohomish is gearing up for his fourth deployment to the Middle East.

He served in Afghanistan and was deployed twice to Iraq before transferring to the National Guard so that he could spend more time with family.

The infantry sergeant with a wife and an 18-month-old son said he’s focused on preparing soldiers for what’s ahead.

On the home front, he said, it’s important for families to put aside personal pride and accept help.

“Families are going to need a lot of help,” Galovin said. “A lot don’t reach out but still need help.”

After being received with an Army-strong “hoo-ah” from the soldiers standing at attention in front of an outdoor stage, Gregoire thanked the soldiers and their families for their sacrifice and service.

Gregoire, who is seeking re-election, pointed out the important role Guardsmen played in helping protect lives and property during recent flooding, snowstorms and forest fires in the state.

“I can say without a shred of doubt that every single Washingtonian is proud and indebted to you,” she said.

Congressman Rick Larsen, D-Wash., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also wished the soldiers well.

Larsen, who opposed the war in Iraq but is not calling for a timetable to withdraw, has visited troops Iraq four times since the war began in 2003.

He touted the revamped G.I. Bill, signed into law by President Bush on June 30, and he said he would work to make sure the soldiers had the right equipment to do their jobs. And he promised to make sure the troops got Seahawks scores.

“We will keep you in our thoughts and our prayers and we will do all that we can to support your families back here at home,” he said.

Washington Army National Guard Brigadier General Gordon Toney and Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson also spoke to the troops.

Joe Cruz, 40, of Concrete was joined by several members of his family, who took photos and video on cell phones and showered him with hugs and kisses.

He has two children, ages 9 and 7.

The sergeant, a diesel mechanic whose job includes recovering Army vehicles destroyed by roadside bombs, is getting ready for his third deployment to the Middle East.

He was part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and joined Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004.

“I do this because I love my country,” he said.

In the coming weeks, the National Guard soldiers from Washington will head to Fort McCoy, Wis., a mobilization center where they will get more specialized training. They returned last week after a month of training in Yakima.

Maj. James Scott Taylor with the 81st Brigade said they will likely be going to Northern Iraq on various security missions and reconstruction teams.

The brigade has lost 10 soldiers, and another 200 were injured.

Seventeen soldiers with ties to Snohomish County have died in Iraq since the start of the war there.

Kathy Banks, Ledgett’s mother, had a heart attack on the day Ledgett was first deployed in 2004.

“I’m literally praying every single day that every single soldier comes home,” she said.

His wife, Monica, a native of Guatemala, became a U.S. citizen last week. She admires her husband for his bravery but already can’t wait for his return.

“I’m looking forward to him coming back,” she said. “That’s what I’m focusing on.”

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.