As hundreds of soldiers gathered to prepare to be deployed, the attention was not on them but the audience.
“The most difficult sacrifice lies with those who care about the soldiers on this floor,” said Commander of the 1st Battalion of the 134th Field Artillery Regiment Lt. Col. Michael Bystry.
The stands in the gymnasium of Marysville High School overflowed to the floor Wednesday evening as loved ones watched soldiers from the 37th Infantry Brigade gather for their Call to Duty ceremony.
The soldiers are among 1,800 Ohio National Guard servicemembers who will deploy in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), which takes ongoing military actions against threats posed by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Gunner Aaron Brofford, 2012 Marysville High School graduate, is one of the soldiers preparing for this deployment – his third.
Brofford said he has previously deployed to Afghanistan and with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, so the upcoming mission feels like “familiar ground.”
He noted, however, that this will be his first deployment as a father.
“It’s the first time I have kids so it’s a new challenge but I have a good family and good support system,” Brofford said.
In his speech, Bystry urged soldiers to lean on their support systems as they “struggle through long-distance relationships” and work to connect with their children from afar.
Brofford said he feels confident that community members will be there to support his wife while he is deployed, highlighting the resources provided by the Union County Military Family Support Group.
The local community’s pride in and support of local servicemembers is clear, Brofford said.
He noted that his sister was still an MHS student during his first deployment. At the time, she submitted his photo to be posted on the “Wall of Heroes” in the school.
He said several of his fellow battalion members noticed his photo when they arrived for the Call to Duty ceremony, pointed it out and joked with him about it.
“It’s awesome to be back,” Brofford said.
Like the pride loved ones have in their soldiers, Bystry said those being deployed should “stand tall and be proud” of the stories they are writing for themselves.
“Your stories are built on grit,” Bystry said. “Your stories are built on resilience.”
While their approximately 12-month deployment will come with challenges, Bystry said it will be marked by “deliberate growth” and “selfless acts.”
Despite the sacrifices they and their family members will make, Brofford and fellow battalion member Fire Director Control Sergeant Brianne Hronek, who is originally from Westerville, said the soldiers are driven by “a sense of duty.”
Hronek said the desire to serve is so strong that she knows many soldiers who “join (the military) to deploy,” adding that it was a career goal of hers to serve on a deployment.
Hronek said she feels “a little sad” leading up to her deployment because it can be “hard to leave” loved ones behind. But, she said the strong feeling of camaraderie between the 134th Field Artillery Regiment “makes it easier.”
Hronek emphasized that she also feels excited because their mission allows soldiers to “be a part of something impactful.”
Bystry agreed.
“This next chapter will only be as memorable as we make it,” he said to the soldiers.