Lamar guardsman featured in News Tribune article

When writing about Jefferson City News Tribune reporter Michelle Brooks' features on Missouri soldiers, I overlooked a feature she did earlier this week on Spec. Michael Garfield from Lamar:

His family recently was able to see him and the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and visit with him briefly through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Bosslift.

His dad, Terry Garfield, works in emergency medical services. Michael's wife, Brittney, is a combat medic, too.

So it was neat to see him helping the other soldiers' after that drill, Terry said.

“I could really identify,” Terry said. “This is a good place for him. He has a lot of compassion for others.”

A busy, self-employed construction worker, Terry grabbed the chance to see his son in training with the Bosslift. It might be the last chance Terry will see his son before he goes serves in Kosovo for the next year with the 110th.

“It never really sunk in to me exactly what they went through ... or how proud they make you,” said Terry, with tears filling his eyes. “It's a good experience to take back with us.”

Terry's son-in-law also will be deploying with military police to Baghdad soon. And his youngest son plans to join the U.S. Army after graduation this month in Lamar.

“We could form our own little army,” Terry joked with wife, Samantha.