Community asked to adopt a soldier

May 15, 2009 (The Valdosta Daily Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- APHJF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- VALDOSTA "" Nanette Cutlip's son is in Valdosta's 48th Brigade Alpha Company of the Georgia Army National Guard. Cutlip said her son's unit has been engaged in intensive training since February to prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The troops have only had about two weeks of leave to spend with their families since training started, Cutlip said.

Beginning on May 30, the soldiers will have four days to spend with their families before deploying to Afghanistan, but they have to make their own provisions for getting home to Valdosta and nearby counties. Cutlip approached Matt Stanaland, president of Bank of Valdosta on Woodrow Wilson Drive, about starting a fund to offset travel expenses for the troops to facilitate some family time prior to shipping out.

The cost of the charter bus and van to bring the troops home is approximately $5,000, or $80 per soldier, Cutlip said. Other cities, like Cordele and Macon, have already raised the money to enable their troops to come home, but so far the Adopt-A-Soldier fund Cutlip started with Stanaland's help has only raised a portion of the money needed. The deposit on the vehicles has to be made today, Cutlip said. The soldiers will have to put up most of the money themselves, and hopefully the fund can reimburse them before they leave, she said.

Chris Stewart, executive officer of Alpha Company, said the troops aren't getting leave but a four-day pass. They planned to chip in the money themselves to rent the vehicles, but some of their family members "" mothers, wives, etc. "" are trying to help raise the money so they won't have to pay for their own transportation. After the four days, Stewart said they will report back to Fort Shelby, Miss., for a week and then fly to Afghanistan the following week.

"It's a grassroots effort, and all the soldiers appreciate it. When you're a private, $80 is a lot of money," Stewart said.

Alpha Company is comprised of soldiers from Lowndes, Brooks, Echols and surrounding counties. In an earlier interview, Stewart said their mission in Afghanistan is to embed with Afghan army and police units to act as mentors.

Alpha Company will split up in teams and conduct combat missions side by side with Afghan forces, evaluating and correcting them so they can function independently, he said. Alpha Company has also been receiving special instruction in cultural awareness, how to interact with senior foreign military officers, and language training, he said.

Jessica Wyatt, the wife of one of Alpha Company's soldiers, wrote, "It is our belief that support from their families and community is the driving force and fundamental cornerstone to their morale and success during their mission in Afghanistan. It would be greatly appreciated if you could help us spread the word throughout the community, and if you feel led to do so, to make a donation to the fund."

Those wishing to donate to Adopt-A-Soldier can call (229) 242-3522 or (229) 561-1521.

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