Pfc. Glenell Delima and Pvt. Melissa Naula, from the 12th Personnel Service Detachment, worked the desk yesterday, handling life insurance documentation for the Hawaii Army National Guard 29th Brigade. They were also selling magnetic car ribbons for individuals who want to show support for U.S. troops.
Isle Guard troops
prepare for worst29th Brigade soldiers sign wills and
assign insurance as Iraq duty nears
Nineteen-year-old Hawaii Army National Guard specialist Demitrius Monico created a will yesterday should anything happen to him, or his father, Melandro, during their deployment to Iraq next year.
"Something might happen," said Monico, a 2003 graduate of Farrington High School.
"I'm trying to keep that possibility out of my mind. I don't want to think about it."
Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard's 29th Infantry Brigade filled out necessary paperwork that included wills, powers of attorney and direct deposit forms over the weekend at the Kalaeloa headquarters to ensure that their family members will be taken care of as they prepare for their year-long deployment to Iraq.
"There's so much that you don't think about normally that you have to take care of," said Maj. Chuck Anthony, spokesman of the Hawaii National Guard.
The brigade's 3,100 members -- more than 2,000 of whom are in the islands -- were alerted two weeks ago of their call to Iraq. Deployment is expected to occur in February after four months of training on the mainland.
Spc. Demitrius Monico and his father, Spc. Melandro Monico, completed their paperwork in advance of deployment to Iraq.
Monico, known as "Mitch" by family and friends, said being deployed with his father, who is also a specialist in the brigade, gives him a sense of security that a family member will be nearby, but he also fears that something may happen to one of them.
He told me to prepare for the worst, said Monico of Kalihi. He added that he is trying to maintain a positive outlook and looks forward to returning home to his family and friends once his tour of duty is completed.
The senior Monico, 42, gave phone numbers of his children -- three other sons who are also involved in the military and a daughter who lives in Germany -- to officials yesterday. The children are listed as beneficiaries of his government life insurance.
He noted that he anticipated his brigade's call to Iraq. "The way that things are going, I had that expectation that we would go," said Monico, who has spent a total of 14 years in the Hawaii Army National Guard, eight on active duty.
He added that he is proud of his son's commitment to the brigade and had advised Demitrius to be physically and mentally prepared.
"I explained to him that he has to strengthen his mind and body," said Monico.
Sgt. Joseph Lewis III of Nanakuli said he and his fiancee, Natalie Katz, made arrangements to get married on Wednesday after they learned of Lewis' deployment.
Lewis filled out paperwork so his future wife will have power of attorney so she and their 6-month-old son, Joseph Lewis IV, are provided for.
"I have to build a foundation for them," said Lewis, 23. "With this situation, it's very hard for families."
"I try to be strong for my family when I see them break down ... Everybody is faced with the reality that something can happen," he said.
Private First Class Lance Shimamoto, 20, of Moiliili said he experienced a mixture of emotions when he learned of his deployment.
"I'm happy to make a difference but sad that I gotta leave everything," said Shimamoto, a 2002 graduate of Konawaena High School on the Big Island. He said he is nervous about going to war but comforted that he will be accompanied by other members from Hawaii.
"It's good to go with these guys because they're my new family," said Shimamoto.
Cpl. Damien Lariosa of Ewa also filled out power of attorney documents for his wife, Ramona. Lariosa, 26, who has a 12-year-old daughter Kauri and 5-year-old son Austin, said his deployment will be the longest length of time that he will be apart from his family.
"I just gotta go and take care of business," he said.
Hawaii Army National Guard
www.dod.state.hi.us/hiarng/index.html
