Call to duty ceremony honors Springfield-based soldiers ready to deploy

Members of Ohio National Guard unit to serve 9-month deployment.
With tears in her eyes, Zoey Wildermuth hugs her father, Sgt. Darrick Cunningham, during a Call to Duty Ceremony Friday, Jan. 12, at the First Christian Church. Cunningham is being deployed with 30 other members of the Ohio National Guard's 1137th Signal Comapany, located in Springfield. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

With tears in her eyes, Zoey Wildermuth hugs her father, Sgt. Darrick Cunningham, during a Call to Duty Ceremony Friday, Jan. 12, at the First Christian Church. Cunningham is being deployed with 30 other members of the Ohio National Guard's 1137th Signal Comapany, located in Springfield. BILL LACKEY/STAFF
Military
By
Jan 12, 2024
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A call to duty ceremony on Friday in Springfield honored about 30 members of the Ohio Army National Guard deployed in support of the U.S. Central Command.

This is the first deployment for 2nd Lt. Collin Hyre of the 1137th Signal Company (Tactical Installation and Networking-Enhanced, or TIN-E) based in Springfield.

“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” said Hyre of Medina following the ceremony at First Christian Church on Middle Urbana Road. “I’m pretty excited to go out and do the mission, though, with all the good soldiers we have underneath us.”

Hyre said he is not used to being away from family for so long, but he knows they will be able to communicate.

“They’re a very good, supporting family and group, so I’m lucky to have them,” he said.

Members of the Ohio Army National Guard's 1137th Signal Company participated is a Call to Duy Ceremony Friday, Feb. 12, 2024 at the First Christian Church. The company is being deployed for nine months is support of U.S. Central Command. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

icon to expand image

Credit: Bill Lackey

While on the nine-month deployment, the soldiers will provide installation, recovery, repair and maintenance of telecommunications network lines and infrastructure throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department announced earlier this week.

Hyre’s final words following the ceremony: “I’m very proud to be in the National Guard, and go Browns.”

Sgt. Orchid Westrum spends some time with her niece, Avaia, during a Call to Duty Ceremony Friday, Jan. 12, at the First Christian Church. Westrum is being deployed with 30 other members of the Ohio National Guard's 1137th Signal Comapany, located in Springfield. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

icon to expand image

Credit: Bill Lackey

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Jen Roppel Balduf covers breaking news for the Dayton Daily News. She earned a bachelor of science in journalism degree from Ohio University and also writes for the Journal-News, Springfield News-Sun and Dayton.com.