blivingston@themeridianstar.com



About 102 men and women of the 1181st Army Reserve Deployment Distribution Support Battalion headquartered in Meridian will surely make this holiday season one to remember.

In about a month they will deploy to Kuwait and take part in ongoing military and humanitarian operations supporting the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Steve Rutner, who will be taking his second tour in the Southwest Asian Theater of Operations, will command the unit as they are stationed at the Port of Ash Shuaiba, Kuwait. During a farewell ceremony held at the VFD hut located on Hwy. 80 West in Meridian, Rutner noted the unit was made up of almost 70 percent of soldiers who've served before.

"That is always a comfort to be able to command a group made up of so many veterans," said Rutner Wednesday morning. "It is my job to make sure everyone comes home safely. These soldiers are so good at their jobs that it makes mine that much more stress free."

Some of those veterans of past tours include Sgt. Shrie Adams, a mother of two and native of Meridian.

"I've been in this unit for twelve years," said Adams. "They are like my family. The advantage of having been before is that I know what to expect. I can lend that knowledge to those who will be on their first rotation."

That is good news to Spec. Mark Kinney of Tupelo.

Kinney is married but has no children as yet. He admitted to being somewhat apprehensive but at the same time he is comforted by the fact so many veterans such as Adams will be going.

"This is a very close knit group and I'm proud to be going over with them," said Kinney. "It's kinda scary to leave family behind, especially during these economic uncertainties, but they will make it through."

During the ceremony, local and state dignitaries, such as Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith and U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran applauded the soldiers and their families for the upcoming sacrifice they will have to endure.

"Throughout the fifty-year history of this unit, you have given us many reasons to be proud of your accomplishments and professionalism," said Smith.

Cochran, who brought up the memories of former U.S. Rep. G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery, said he was inspired by how Montgomery used to forgo his holiday vacations to visit troops during the Vietnam War.

"I was motivated by Sonny's memory to come here today and express just how proud we are of you and your families," said Cochran. "This event is in your honor and of that of your families. Your service will improve the world."

During their rotation, the 1181st will work closely with other cargo support units, the Kuwait Port Authority and local labor forces in making sure all materials will be loaded and unloaded quickly and safely. During their 17-month call-up in 2003, more than 25 million square feet of cargo encompassing more than 150 military and merchant marine vessels was handled by the 1181st.

The unit will be deployed for one year.