NcDeuce
06-20-2004, 10:57 AM
Deploying dad celebrates Father's Day early
Sons and daughters today will spend the day with their fathers, but for Staff Sgt. Anthony Berardo's family and other families like his in Clarksville, Father's Day had to be celebrated a day early.
Berardo's unit, the Rapid Reprogramming Terminal 278th Armored Calvary Regiment in Clarksville, part of the Army National Guard, has been activated with members this morning on a bus headed for Camp Shelby, Miss. Eventually Berado's unit may end up in Iraq.
But Berardo, a former member of the U.S. Army who joined the Army National Guard in 1994, said he tries not to get too emotional about leaving his wife, Cheryl, and two children, Amber and Zachary, and he views what he is doing as a job and duty to his country.
"That is what I am ordered to do," he said. "It is not the first time I have been away from my family on a holiday."
Despite his calm demeanor, he said preparing to leave does take effort.
"You have to prepare mentally and physically," he said. "(I try) to think about my family and think about the ones I work around. Their lives may depend on my actions."
Across Tennessee, there are other families that are dealing with loved ones becoming mobilized.
The Army National Guard is a reserve force that exists to supplement active-duty forces during times of emergency.
Capt. Trey Brannom, public affairs officer for the Tennessee Military Department, said there has been a "phased mobilization" and, as of today, there are thousands of mobilized National Guardsmen across Tennessee.
With 17 years of military experience under his belt, eight of those in the U.S. Army, Berardo has been stationed everywhere from Japan to Hawaii. When he was stationed in Hawaii, he met his wife.
"Some people bring back coffee mugs, I brought back a husband," Cheryl Berardo said.
Staff Sgt. Berardo said he and his wife, who have been married for 13 years, have not been apart for more than two months. His current mission may keep them apart for two years.
Mrs. Berardo said her husband's top priority is his family.
"It always has been, and it always will be," she said.
For this Father's Day, Staff Sgt. Berardo's children each tried to find special gifts for their father before he left. His 12-year-old son, Zachary, saved the money he made mowing lawns to buy his father an Army watch he found online.
Mrs. Berardo said the support for the soldiers has been "overwhelming." Restaurants across Clarksville contributed to make sure that all the soldiers who left today had a week of good meals before leaving.
Staff Sgt. Berardo said although he will miss his family, he is ready to do his job.
"I am excited and I'll miss my family, but this is my job and this is what I was asked to do for my country," he said.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682790-307478.jpg
Cheryl Berardo, right, watches as her children Amber, 20, left, and Zachary, 12, wrap a present for their dad, Staff Sgt. Anthony Berardo, who is deploying with the Rapid Reprogramming Terminal, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment today.
Sons and daughters today will spend the day with their fathers, but for Staff Sgt. Anthony Berardo's family and other families like his in Clarksville, Father's Day had to be celebrated a day early.
Berardo's unit, the Rapid Reprogramming Terminal 278th Armored Calvary Regiment in Clarksville, part of the Army National Guard, has been activated with members this morning on a bus headed for Camp Shelby, Miss. Eventually Berado's unit may end up in Iraq.
But Berardo, a former member of the U.S. Army who joined the Army National Guard in 1994, said he tries not to get too emotional about leaving his wife, Cheryl, and two children, Amber and Zachary, and he views what he is doing as a job and duty to his country.
"That is what I am ordered to do," he said. "It is not the first time I have been away from my family on a holiday."
Despite his calm demeanor, he said preparing to leave does take effort.
"You have to prepare mentally and physically," he said. "(I try) to think about my family and think about the ones I work around. Their lives may depend on my actions."
Across Tennessee, there are other families that are dealing with loved ones becoming mobilized.
The Army National Guard is a reserve force that exists to supplement active-duty forces during times of emergency.
Capt. Trey Brannom, public affairs officer for the Tennessee Military Department, said there has been a "phased mobilization" and, as of today, there are thousands of mobilized National Guardsmen across Tennessee.
With 17 years of military experience under his belt, eight of those in the U.S. Army, Berardo has been stationed everywhere from Japan to Hawaii. When he was stationed in Hawaii, he met his wife.
"Some people bring back coffee mugs, I brought back a husband," Cheryl Berardo said.
Staff Sgt. Berardo said he and his wife, who have been married for 13 years, have not been apart for more than two months. His current mission may keep them apart for two years.
Mrs. Berardo said her husband's top priority is his family.
"It always has been, and it always will be," she said.
For this Father's Day, Staff Sgt. Berardo's children each tried to find special gifts for their father before he left. His 12-year-old son, Zachary, saved the money he made mowing lawns to buy his father an Army watch he found online.
Mrs. Berardo said the support for the soldiers has been "overwhelming." Restaurants across Clarksville contributed to make sure that all the soldiers who left today had a week of good meals before leaving.
Staff Sgt. Berardo said although he will miss his family, he is ready to do his job.
"I am excited and I'll miss my family, but this is my job and this is what I was asked to do for my country," he said.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682790-307478.jpg
Cheryl Berardo, right, watches as her children Amber, 20, left, and Zachary, 12, wrap a present for their dad, Staff Sgt. Anthony Berardo, who is deploying with the Rapid Reprogramming Terminal, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment today.