160 more soldiers leave Iowa after tearful goodbyes from families, friends

Sandy Barrett said Sunday was one of the most difficult days of her life because she not only had to say goodbye to one son but two as they left Cedar Rapids bound for Afghanistan.

“I have pain and hurt and pride,” Barrett, of Manchester, said starting to cry. “But I'm so proud of them. I pray for them and all of men and women leaving today.”

Barrrett's sons Kory, 26, and Phillip, 20, Wulfekuhle, both of Manchester, were deployed Sunday with about 160 other Iowa National Guard from Companies A and B of the 334th brigade support battalions. The soldiers were honored with a send-off ceremony at the U.S. Cellular Center.

After the ceremony, the soldiers had an hour or so to visit with their families before boarding the buses.

Pfc Kory Wulfekuhle, with his arm around his little brother Phillip, said it helped knowing his brother would be with him.

“If it's a rough day I'll give him a pat on his back and we'll encourage each other,” Kory Wulfekuhle said.

Spc. Phillip Wulfekuhle said he knew it would be tough  and “something way different from basic,” which he just finished a few months ago, but also feels having some brotherly support will help.

“I've only been home a short time and now I'm being deployed,” Phillip Wulfekuhle said almost tearing up.

The brothers had plenty of family support on hand. At one point, the family got in a large circle, joined hands in the middle and yelled “Team Wulfekuhle!”

Sgt. Brenda Weir, 38, of Cedar Rapids, didn't have to say goodbye to her daughter Pfc. Christy Orr, of Shellsburg, because she was being deployed her mother.

“I think it's a good thing because I won't worry as much,” Weir said. “I don't know if we'll stay together but I think it's better this way. We can support each other.”

The downside for this family is that Weir's husband Spc. David Weir just came back from Iraq with the Guard's 445th out of Waterloo.

“That's tough,” Weir said with tears in her eyes.

Orr didn't make it the ceremony, so she couldn't be interviewed before they left.

Another mother, Lyn Mellecker, of Hills, was seeing off her son Spc. Anthony Mellecker, 22, of Hills.

“I think I'll cry all day (after he leaves),” Mellecker said tearing up trying to take a photo. “This is his first deployment. He's been anxious. He wanted to do his duty.”

Gov. Chet Culver's wife Mary, along with representatives from Sen. Charles Grassley's and Tom Harkin's offices, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack and Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett, were all on hand during the ceremony to thank the troops and wish them success.

Mary Culver said she was there to represent her husband who was at Saturday's ceremony.

“I'm here to express our gratitude for your service and I know the sacrifices the families make in this largest deployment since WWII,” Culver said.

Loebsack, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he got to know many of them when during the 2008 flood and the Parkersburg tornado when they helped communities across Iowa.

“Now, you're going off on a different mission,” Loebsack. “You're going off to protect our liberties and rights.  I understand what the families are feeling having sent a son and daughter off to Afghanistan. I am here for you any time I can help. Please contact me.”

Before families headed outside to line up along First Avenue to see the soldiers off, Barrett got two more hugs from her sons.

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