Though soldiers from the Baton Rouge area currently serving in Afghanistan often are recognized, several other area soldiers are helping to fight the war on terrorism in other places.
The 329th Military Police Company, based in Baton Rouge, was the first Louisiana Army National Guard Company to be activated for the global war on terrorism.
“The Louisiana Army National Guard has truly pulled its weight in this time of need for the country, and it has done so with many motivated and competent citizen/student soldiers from the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas,” said Spc. Ted Mcdavitt.
The company has many ties with the University, including a large percentage of current University students and alumni.
They also have several people with different ties to the University. Sgt. Jason Rouse is not only a student, but also the son of former director of LSU bands Nicholas Rouse, and Sgt. 1st Class Cory Lalonde is an LSUPD officer.
The 239th originally was activated Jan. 6, 2002, to Fort Polk, but later was selected to deploy to Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“The task that awaited the 239th was one of worldwide attention, to man and manage Camp Delta,” Mcdavitt explained. “Camp Delta is the current detention facility for over 600 suspected al- Qaida and Taliban terrorists from all over the world.”
Camp Delta, located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, currently contains many dangerous criminals from the Middle East.
“Camp Delta is a very stressful place to work,” explained Brig. Gen. John Basilica. “These [prisoners] were extremely dangerous and unpredictable.”
The National Guard deployed the 329th when Mcdavitt was preparing to start his first semester at the University in construction management.
“Just taking a year off from school gives you a greater sense of priority, and it makes you appreciate everything you take for granted on a day- to-day basis,” Mcdavitt said.
Mcdavitt joined the military for the tuition exemption because TOPS was not available when he graduated from high school.
The company returned to the states about two weeks ago, but many loved ones missed them while they were gone.
“While you are really proud of them, all you can do is be selfish and want them back with you,” said Erica Helmick, engineering senior and Mcdavitt’s girlfriend.
Helmick and Mcdavitt discussed the trials with communication, just as Helmick’s grandmother experienced while her grandfather was serving in World War II.
“If they could survive that, Ted and I surely could handle a measly six months apart with phone calls and e-mail,” Helmick said. “Overall, this experience has been just another test in our relationship that we passed with flying colors.”
Helmick thinks the most interesting part of their situation is the unique story they will be able to tell their children and grandchildren when they ask about Sept. 11 and the part they had in the following events.
Although they were thousands of miles away, 329th company members were able to bring a little taste of home with them.
Underneath a Louisiana and LSU flag on the day of the football season opener against Virginia Tech, many of the soldiers tailgated Tiger-style and listened to the game over the Internet.