By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
Brewton area reservists who had been on call at Fort Benning, Ga. left Monday, May 19, for duties in the war-torn nation of Iraq.
Local members of the Detachment 1 1165th Military Police Unit of the Alabama Army National Guard were among those who left Fort Benning at 5:30 a.m. for Macon, Ga. From there, the detachment flew to Frankfurt, Germany and arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday, according to family members. While the group's final destination is said to be Iraq, it is unknown where in that country the unit will serve or its objectives.
The reservists who serve in the 1165th have been on active duty since March 15 when they left for Fort Benning. Since that time they have been undergoing training and preparing for the trip to Iraq.
One of Brewton's reservist serving in the 1165th is Stephen Mallet. His mother-in-law, Georgia Lanier of Brewton, remained in contact with Mallet during his two-month stay at Fort Benning. He was allowed to come home on April 11 for the birth of his third child. On Sunday, Lanier, along with Mallet's wife, Candy, and their three children, traveled to Georgia for a visit. Lanier said the troops seemed ready for the trip overseas.
Even though major battles in Iraq are believed to be over, Lanier said it is obvious to her that it is still a very dangerous place for Americans.
Lanier said there were many families at Fort Benning to say goodbye to loved ones on Sunday.
Det. 1165 Staff Sgt. Wendell Richburg said prior to leaving Brewton that military police units are typically called upon to provide security, which will be important as allied nations attempt to rebuild Iraq and form a working government there.
Lanier said there is a family support group for those who have a relative serving in the detachment.
Those who would like more information on the support group may contact Lanier at 867-9622.
Mallet, 37, and his wife Candy, are the parents of Brittany, Morgan and Stephen Blake Mallet. They are residents of Brewton.
Other members of the Brewton detachment of the 1165th include: Clemon E. McGill, Brewton; Burley D. Townson, Century; Christopher Wayne Davis, Jay; David M. Floyd, Atmore; Josh Yoder, Brewton; Jerry L. Odom Sr. Brewton; David Austin, Mobile; Kevin A. Smith, Montgomery; John C. Peavy, Brewton; Michael Mathews, Atmore; Sherman D. Ellington Sr; Benjamin M. Loftin, Thomasville; Jerry L. Dees Jr., Maplesville; Michael T. Johnson, McDavid; Charles Todd Williams, East Brewton; Chester Tolbert, Jay; David A. Lanier, Monroeville; Wendell C. Richburg, Flomaton; Lance Allen McCurdy, East Brewton; and Colt Jamison Bell, Flomaton.