278th deployment to Iraq a Tazewell family affair

In December, the Tennessee National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment deploys to Mississippi for training before being transported to Iraq. That made Saturday the last available day for a wedding that displayed true commitment to the 278th.

"My oldest son, Justin, was married today," said Rick Poore, father of the groom and a sergeant in the 278th set for deployment in a few weeks. "This was a very big day for me. I think I had tears through the whole ceremony."

When Rick deploys, he will not have to go far to see many of the faces in Saturday's wedding party.

"My brother Randall who was in the wedding is in the 278th. Also, my son Justin and his new wife, Jennifer. Plus, there is a bridesmaid who is very close to our family who will be deployed with us, too. I call [her] my other daughter, Staci Armfield. So it is definitely a family affair with all of us being deployed at the same time," said Rick.

"This is my first deployment and I'm a little nervous about it, not knowing what to expect. But I will have a lot of family with me and that should definitely help with any homesickness," said Randall Poore.

"I think it helps because you know there's someone there you can talk to," said Staci Armfield. "It makes me feel safer."

While all of the guard members prepare for a 12-month deployment, newlyweds Justin and Jennifer Poore have been simultaneously preparing for the commitment of a lifetime.

"It has been stressful," said Justin. "You have got to get stuff ready for the wedding, for deployment at the same time. But a lot of the others in the 278th have been really supportive with the wedding, knowing it will be really great that Jennifer and I can be there for each other this next year."

"It is great to know our family will be over there and they will have my back," said Jennifer. "Now that the wedding is over, we can start to focus on the deployment.  I just ask people to pray for us and the family because other than my father-in-law, this is our first deployment. We know there will be a lot to learn and maybe some mistakes since it is our first time."

"It is like our first year of marriage will be a one-year honeymoon over in the sand pit," said Justin. "Everyone has been so supportive."

Justin and Jennifer said they plan to take a brief honeymoon in Gatlinburg before turning their full attention to the upcoming deployment. They plan to have a "real honeymoon" when they return from overseas.