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Family members of NMI soldiers display support
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Posted on Dec 21 2004
Despite the gray clouds scudding across the skies yesterday afternoon, Beach Road San Jose came to life as about 70 individuals of all ages—from babies to senior citizens—braved Mother Nature’s scattered showers to show support for military troops with ties to the Commonwealth who are currently active or training for deployment to Iraq.
The event, known as Troop Fest Wave, served as a venue for families and friends to express support for the troops and to promote the upcoming Troop Fest 2004, a concert this Thursday that aims to honor the troops.
According to Special Assistant for Special Programs Galvin Deleon Guerrero, several of the troops arrived last night, while majority are scheduled to arrive today, followed by another group tomorrow.
“Here are men and women, many of them family, friends, and loved ones who are laying their lives on the line to serve our country,” he said. “The least we can do is match that commitment by showing our support and if it means doing something simple like a roadside waving or putting out a concert, then it’s the least that we can do for the sacrifice that they’re making.”
Celina Babauta, wife of Echo Company Commander Franklin Babauta, said that seeing the support pouring in from the community touched her.
“As a wife, one cannot help but get emotional about it,” Babauta said while fighting off tears. “It means a lot to the spouses when we see the support. We have each other to provide us the emotional support because no one else can really understand what we’re going through, unless you’re a spouse of a deployed soldier. The same thing with parents, I cannot understand their feelings because I’m not a parent of a soldier, but it gives me hope and a good feeling to know that our community supports us.”
The Babautas, married for the past 12 years, have four children.
Celina did not deny that time spent without her husband “has been hard,” and expressed gratitude for support from the Family Readiness Group, as well as community members.
