NEWPORT, Maine — The wives and parents of soldiers serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, with the Maine Army National Guard’s 1136th Transportation Company had fun Saturday picking apples and riding tractors — and some had their soldiers in tow.
At least seven of the 1136th families who went to Rowe Orchards on Saturday for a day of family fun carried life-size cutout images — Flat Soldiers — of their loved ones.
“We went to a corn maze last weekend. We’ve gone to the beach,” said Bangor resident Beth Tilton, who carried around a Flat Soldier of her husband, Spc. Joshua Tilton. “He went to the Bangor State Fair.”
The Flat Soldier of Staff Sgt. Travis Smith of Hermon has gone to an AC/DC tribute band concert, said his wife, Laura. The image of Sgt. Earl Davis of St. Albans has been to doctor’s appointments with his wife, Felicia, and Sgt. Leonard Elefson of Bangor has gone camping and to school with his wife, Ame.
Keeping their men close, even if it’s just an enlarged photo, helps with the long separation, the group of women said. The unit left in March, and most are scheduled to return in March 2011.
Valerie Burnett, who works at the orchard, carried two Flat Soldiers, one of her daughter Sgt. Meghann Rollins and one of her son-in-law Sgt. Josh Rollins.
For the many photos that were taken, she placed a cowboy hat on the image of her daughter’s husband.
“Josh has been wearing it everywhere,” she said. “It’s fun, and it’s something to lighten the mood.”
Her boss, Ed Buzanoski, who is a teacher at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, hosted the event to show support for those serving this country.
“These guys are putting their lives on hold for a year,” he said, adding that supporting their families is a rewarding thing to do.
In addition to picking apples and taking tractor rides, the 1136th families were served a free barbecue lunch, including fresh cider, homemade doughnuts and freshly made potato chips, accompanied by live piano music.
Bradstreet Farm, the high school’s Key Club and Jobs for Maine Grads members all pitched in to support the gathering, Buzanoski said.
At one point during the event, those with Flat Soldiers gathered around Spc. James Lawler, who is home on leave, and shouted a “hoo-rah” while being recorded by Nokomis Broadcasting.
A DVD of video messages recorded Saturday will be sent to Afghanistan, Burnett said.
Darlene Bergeron, who is the Bangor Family Readiness Group leader for the 1136th, held Flat Soldier Staff Sgt. Dale Bergeron while giving her video message.
“We’re over the hump — we’re halfway there,” she said into the camera.
She ended her message with a smile and a laugh before saying, “I have a honey to-do list for you.”
Bergeron said gathering with other wives and families whose loved ones are serving overseas is very important because “you’re with people who know what you’re going through.”
She said that the soldiers become brothers-in-arms and “the wives become part of a family back here.”
With today’s technology, the men and women serving overseas can keep in touch with their loved ones easily. In fact, Tilton sent a message during the picnic telling his wife he was off to bed.
Before she left the gathering, Beth Tilton and Old Town resident Jenny Phillips, who carried around Lt. Nic Phillips, had a little fun with their Flat Soldiers, posing them with a stuffed bear out in front of the orchard. The duo appeared to be having the time of their lives, laughing as they put their men into the mouth of the bear.
“The scariest animals they’ve run into [in Afghanistan] is the stray cats,” Tilton said.
She added that her husband has enjoyed seeing the Facebook photos she has posted of his Flat Soldier on her adventures.
“He thinks they are funny,” Tilton said.