Oklahoma guardsmen prepare to leave families

Sunday, October 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A lot was going through the minds of Oklahoma National Guardsmen as they left their civilian lives and reported to the Edmond National Guard Armory for training in anticipation of a six-month deployment to the Sinai Peninsula.

On the grass outside the armory, soldiers packed their gear, completed paperwork and thought about those they were leaving behind.

About 500 guardsmen from the 1st Battalion, 180th Infantry left to train at Fort Carson, Colo., before heading to the Middle East to be part of a peace keeping force.

Cpl. Christopher Slaughter of Oklahoma City said small hassles such as reassigning household chores combined leaving loved ones, give soldiers plenty to think about as they leave their homes, many for the first time.

For most of the soldiers, leaving family members is the hardest part of the deployment. Slaughter has a wife, a 6-year-old daughter and a 9-month-old son.

``The last few weeks, I've spent a lot of time with them,'' Slaughter said. ``Not knowing what's ahead of me is going to be tough. The kids don't really know what's going on.''

Slaughter's daughter wants to know why he has to leave for so long. Answering questions like that can be difficult.

``Really, you have no answer to give her,'' Slaughter said. ``You are just going to do something good for your country. I'm going to miss my son's first birthday in January, his first steps, baby teeth, his first words.''

The guardsmen who make up the 1st Battalion, 180th Infantry have known for several months that a deployment was possible. They received official orders earlier this month, but it's still hard to go.

Cpl. William Dahlke of Oklahoma City said taking care of finances and other little things is important to minimize the effect on his wife.

Dahlke said his family has to move from where they are living.

``My wife is moving in with her family while I'm gone. That is a pain in the butt. My wife, she looks to me for support on all issues _ family, business, bills, whatever.''