Soldiers Bound For Iraq

A group of soldiers prepares to leave for Iraq.  The 834th Aviation Maintenance Company deploys next week.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports this will be the first trip to Iraq for some members of the 834th, a fact that has their family members both worried and proud.

Lisa Bender has spent the past four years assembling care packages for the children of other Blue Star Mothers.  Soon, she will put them together for her own son.  John Bender, along with dozens of other Green Country members of the 834th, heads to Iraq next week.

"I'm a little worried, but in the long run, like I said, I'm proud of him, I'm very proud of him," said Lisa Bender.

John Bender joined the national guard at 17.  Now at 24, he will see action overseas for the first time.

"This, to him, means what he signed up for, he signed up to serve his country," said Lisa Bender.

Lisa says that while John is gone for the next year and a half, she will rely on the Broken Arrow Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers for support.  Her friends say that is fine with them.

"Unless you send a son or a daughter off to war, you do not know what you're going through.  Only those that have been through it can help," said Blue Star Mother Susan Franklin.

So, Lisa says she will keep busy making packages until John and the rest of the 834th return to Oklahoma.

"It worries me some, but I've got my faith, and I know God's going to bring him home to me, he's going to bring him home to me safe," said Lisa Bender.

John is currently out of town enjoying a vacation with his wife.

There will be a departing ceremony for the 834th at the National Guard Armory in Tulsa at 11 a.m. on June 4th.