WNYers bid farwell to their citizen soldiers

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - More western New Yorkers are making sacrifices to serve their country. On Wednesday, family and friends said their farewells at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

John Myers said, "I'm pretty excited to go, pretty pumped up."

It's hard to believe that despite the smiles and hugs, all of these family members are saying goodbye to their citizen soldiers from the National Guard's 105th Military Police Company. This is the official send off for the soldiers before they head to Texas for a month, then off to Iraq.

Davon Ottey said, "I feel good about it. Getting my experience and paying my dues, you know?"

This is the first tour to Iraq for most of the 115 soldiers. The unit received word of the deployment last year.

Daniel Zayas said, "It's been a long year waiting for it. We found out last March we were deploying and just all the training leading up to now, it's just been a long year."

John Wallace-Buchanan added, "It's a war zone, but in the same sense, we have a really good unit. I know we're gonna get through this and everyone's really high speed, so."

It's going to be tough for both the soldiers and their families back here in western New York.

Cyndi Mardino said, "We're really sad; we're proud of him more than you can imagine. He's an awesome young man; he's turned out to be a wonderful son."

Nick Mardino added, "We pray for him every day and we'll keep on praying for them every day until they return."

As part of their mission, the soldiers will help train Iraqi police forces and serve as convoys and high-level security. Captain John Vanlaningham is the company's commander.

"Seeing all their strengths, not only as soldiers, but as citizens, who have specialties, as civilians, who have other jobs, they bring all that to the table for this mission," said Capt. Vanlaningham.

And they'll bring much more, in terms of life experience, back home again.