Fort Belvoir's 29th ID deploys to Afghanistan

Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard’s Fort Belvoir based 29th Infantry Division participated in a deployment ceremony on Long Field Monday.

The members of the 29th ID are taking part in the unit’s federal mobilization for the Security Year Partnering mission in Afghanistan.

The SYP team of soldiers from the Virginia and Maryland National Guards will replace guard soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Charles Whittington, 29th ID, deputy commanding general, gave the farewell remarks and capped them by saying the 29th Division is the finest group of soldiers he’s had the privilege of serving with.

“I think because of the number of backgrounds they come from and their willingness to want to come together,” said Whittington of why he gave the unit such a high compliment. “Knowing 12 months ago they were going to [be deploying]. So, these people are juggling not only their full-time jobs, but knowing that in 12 months they’re going to be moving down range and to have that kind of a positive can-do attitude in my mind sets them apart from the rest.”

The units’ activation date was Sept. 11; a fact not lost on any of the soldiers within the 29th.

“That’s very special,” said Col. Marie Mahoney. “It certainly makes it very memorable for us, but it’s really a great way for us to honor the sacrifices of everybody who’s been impacted by 9/11 as well as honor the history of the 29th Infantry Division.”

Master Sgt. Daniel Carvajal was a Fredericksburg City police officer on Sept. 11, 2001, and said it’s very humbling for the deployment effective date to be on the 10-year anniversary of the attacks.

“I was on duty Sept. 11 and we were trying to calm down our area and help wherever we were needed,” said Carvajal. “Some of our fire units and ambulances went to the Pentagon to help out. It’s humbling to continue the mission forward.”

Whittington also acknowledged how special it is for the unit’s deployment to activate on 9/11, and said it is a memory they will be able to share for many years.

“I don’t know this to be a statement of fact, but I’m not sure of how many units actually are activating on 9/11,” said Whittington. “So, for us it’s a statement from both the states of Maryland and Virginia on just how committed we are to continuing to support the efforts and bring peace to the region, and doing that with the memory of the sacrifice that 9/11 stands for. Twenty years from now with our grandchildren and we start talking about our contributions we will be able to pull that set of orders out and go this is how committed we were. We wanted the world to know that we wanted to be activated on 9/11.”

The unit has been training for the past six months and many soldiers spoke highly of having the opportunity to be trained by Whittington.

“It’s been very interesting and he’s really brought the group together,” said Mahoney. “He really forces us to think about things in an interesting and unique way. He’s really got us excited about this mission and pulled us together as a group.”

Mahoney will join her husband William, who has been in Afghanistan for a year and is coming home in five to six weeks.

“It’s the second year that my children Max, 11, and Maura, 7, will have a parent deployed. I’m very proud of them and how well they have adjusted, what they have accomplished in school,” said Mahoney.

Max and Maura keep in touch with their father at least once a week through an internet based phone and plan to do the same with their mother.

Taking care of the Mahoney children will be Marie’s parents, Alice and Vince Montaldo.

The Montaldos have taken care of their grandchildren during shorter deployments with the usual chauffeuring to school, soccer and gymnastics. They arrange all types of activities that include spending time with their cousins and taking them to all the fun places they want to go.

“Whatever they want to do, I’m game,” said Alice.

Connor Williams, 6, whose father Maj. Nathaniel Williams, will deploy will miss his father and the days they spend together bicycling.

“I’m gonna miss him a lot and we will miss him for Christmas,” he said.

Connor’s mother Amy echoed those sentiments.

“I’m a bit apprehensive, but I’m looking forward to the deployment starting so it can be over,” she said.

Editor’s note: Marny Malin contributed to this story.