Aug. 8, 2006 — The V.I. National Guard requests that family members and soldiers deploying to Iraq from the 786th Quartermaster Battalion, Higher Headquarters attend pre-mobilization briefings Wednesday on St. Croix and Thursday on St. Thomas, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
Twenty-seven soldiers are scheduled to leave the territory for Camp Shelby, Ms., to begin the two-month deployment process Aug. 19 and 22.
Two pre-mobilization briefings will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 9 at the Lt. Col. Lionel A. Jackson Armory in Estate Bethlehem on St. Croix. The second briefing will be conducted Thursday Aug. 10 at the St. Thomas campus of the University of the Virgin Islands in the Chase Auditorium downstairs of the business building.
According to the release, the V.I. National Guard, both Army and Air, continue to play a significant role in the Global War on Terrorism. Some members have deployed and returned safely to the territory, some are still supporting missions in the United States and overseas while others have volunteered to extend their tours or return for another tour of duty. As of August 2006, more than 400 V.I. Guardsmen have deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
The briefings are conducted to provide information on benefits and services available to Guardsmen and their families while serving on active federal service. The briefing agenda covers mobilization issues, legal, finance, medical benefits, ID cards, public affairs and spiritual support from the National Guard's chaplain.
Supporting agencies will also provide input on the services they can offer soldiers and their loved ones left behind. The agencies are the American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands, Family Assistance Center from the Virgin Islands National Guard State Family Program Office and the Military and Family Life Consultant Program (MFLC) from Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. MFLC will offer insight on Coping With Separation.
For more information, call Sergeant First Class Karen Williams, State Public Affairs Officer at (340)712-7750.
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