By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Spc. Eric Madore wasone of the first to arrive at the Army Reserve training center in Saco.

With the sun shiningbrightly over the parking lot on May 5, he laughed with his family and chasedhis fiancee’s 18-month-old daughter, Savannah, in circles. An hour later, heshook the hand of Maj. Gen. John Libby and boarded a bus bound for Londonderry,N.H.

Madore, a 2008Thornton Academy graduate, is a member of the 94^th Military PoliceCompany. The 45 members of the Saco-based detachment left together last week tojoin other soldiers in New Hampshire before heading to training at Fort Dix,N.J. They will deploy to Iraq sometime this summer.

In Iraq, the 94^thMilitary Police Company will train Iraqi police and help with securitymissions. The unit also deployed to Iraq in early 2003.

Madore, a 20-year-oldstudent and part-time lifeguard, said he was nervous about his firstdeployment.

“It was a lot ofpacking, a lot of goodbyes,” he said. “I don’t know exactly how you getemotionally ready for it.”

Madore’s fiancee,Katie Wildes, said she had many emotions as she prepared to say goodbye for ayear.

“I don’t think youcan ever be fully prepared for something like that. It’s going to be hard, butI know we’ll make it through,” she said. “There will be good days and bad days.We’ll take it one day at a time.”

Madore’s father,Greg, organized the sendoff ceremony, which drew area residents, state senatorsand representatives, Gen. Libby and Gov. John Baldacci. The elder Madore servedin Iraq from 2004 to 2005 with the National Guard 133^rd Engineers.Sending his own son oversees is “surreal,” he said.

“I like to say it waseasier to take someone else’s kids with me (to Iraq) than to send my own,” hesaid. “I’m as ready as any parent can be to see their child go. I think it willbe a hard year without him home.”

Adam Madore, Eric’s16-year-old brother, agrees. He said he is proud of his brother for stepping upto help with a good cause, but will miss the time they usually spend hangingout. And, he said with a smile, he’ll miss having someone to annoy.

Spc. David Aston, 19, of Bangor, leaned against acar and held tight to his girlfriend’s hands. This is his first deployment andhe said he spent a lot of time trying to mentally prepare himself to leavehome.

“I’m trying to get upto the task. It’s monumental, it’s a very big sacrifice,” he said. “I wanted togive back to my country, I wanted to get out and get some adventure. I’m happyI was one of the people who was chosen to do this, but I’m sad to put my lifeon hold. It’s hard.”

Amanda Hamm, Aston’s girlfriend of three and a halfyears, said the idea he will be gone for a year hadn’t hit her yet.

“I’m ready for it to happen, but I know when I gethome it will be a lot different,” she said.

Sgt. 1^st Class Jason Dudley of Randolphstood in the shadow of the reserve center, his young daughters close by. Hedeployed with the unit in 2003 and said he spent recent weeks “trying to geteverything wrapped up so it’s easier” for his wife, Hilary, and daughters,Summer, 9, Sage, 7, and Clara, 4.

Summer said she is proud of her father and plans totalk to him on Skype.

“The first time he left they doubled it and he wasgone for two years, so it’s a little better than the last time,” she said. “Istill don’t want him to go.”

For Spc. Ali Zariv of South Portland, preparing toleave brought mixed emotions. He said he is sad to leave home, but is proud tosupport his family and country with his service. He also said he is focused onkeeping his family’s bond strong and plans to visit with his wife and childrenvia Internet video phone calls.

“We’re going to miss him a lot, but I’m proud ofhim,” said his wife, Lynn. “I’m trying not to think about it too much becausewe have a long road ahead of us.”

As families spent the last few minutes before theceremony talking and hugging, World War II veteran Red Soucy of Saco stopped towatch a young soldier embrace his wife.

“That’s sad, but we all went through it,” Soucy saidwith tears in his eyes. “It’s big to be away from your loved one.”

After Soucy led the crowd in a prayer asking for theunit’s safe return, Baldacci praised the soldiers for their dedication toprotecting the country and encouraged their families to ask for the supportthey need.

“You’re protecting our liberties and freedoms so wecan do what we do here,” he said. “You are the best of the best and I’m veryproud of you.”

Sen. Barry Hobbins of Saco echoed the governor’ssentiments.

“What you’re doing for this country is something wewill always remember,” he said. 

Platoon Leader 1^st Lt. Eric Giles said theunit will got to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, then transition toOperation New Dawn. After being presented a Maine state flag to fly in Iraq, hesaid the soldiers recognize and appreciate the support they have at home.

“I certainly did not expect this,” he said of thecrowd gathered for the ceremony. “I’m truly overwhelmed by it.”

After the ceremony, soldiers quickly broke out offormation to spend a few more minutes with their families. In the shadow of thebus, Sgt. Justin Titcomb of Wells stood with his arm around his wife, Joana. Apatrol officer with the Wells Police Department, Titcomb also deployed to Iraqin 2003. He reenlisted a couple years ago and expected to serve oversees again,he said.

“I’d feel really bad if they went somewhere withoutme,” he said.

Titcomb said his wife had to do more preparing forthe deployment than he did. They will celebrate their first wedding anniversaryJune 27.

“The last few days have been the hardest,” JoanaTitcomb said. The hardest part will be “not having him around, not seeing andtalking to him anytime I want.”

A long double line formed near the bus doors assoldiers slowly made their way on board. Gen. Libby and Eugene Daigle of theBiddeford VFW shook their hands and said goodbye to each soldier climbing ontothe bus. Saco firefighters stood by their trucks on Franklin Street to salutesoldiers as the bus pulled out of the reserve center.

On North Street, 325 students and 48 staff from YoungSchool stood shoulder to shoulder along the sidewalk, each waving an Americanflag. They cheered for the soldiers as the bus drove slowly toward theturnpike, where a yellow ribbon hung on each mile marker sign between Saco andthe New Hampshire border. 

“Bye,” called one student. “See you soon.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at282-4337, ext. 213.