ASHLAND, Ohio – Brandon Painter is ready for his next big adventure.
“I’m happy to be here today to serve my country and do what I need to do,” said Brandon, of Mansfield. “Everybody gets to clap. We get to say goodbye today and get outta here.”
The 20-year-old is one of 170 soldiers bidding farewell at the Call to Duty ceremony for the 1486th Transportation Company. The unit will deploy to Afghanistan later this month.
“It’s in the family,” Brandon said. “My older brother Leo joined and he’s kind of been my hero my whole life. I knew right when he joined, I knew I was going to do it.”
Much like the other soldiers in his unit, he’s said his goodbye’s to all – except three.
Brandon’s older brothers Staff Sgt. Leo Prince, of Westerville and Sgt. Mark Prince will join him on the one-year tour in Operation Enduring Freedom, along with their cousin Sgt. Coty Prince, of Greenwich.
“It’s going to be better for us, having four of us together,” said Mark, who is 24. We only had three last tour, but I think four will do pretty good for us. “
Coty, 24, laughed, “Yeah. We get to have more manpower.”
The four are considerably close, which is a bit of relief for Hilda Painter.
She’s worried about sending three of her four sons overseas.
“It’s good to know that they’re going to be there together to support each other while they’re there,” Hilda said, proudly wearing her “Army Mom” T-shirt. “The unit, they’re all good buddies and have been together for a long time.”
This tour will be the first for Brandon, the second for Mark and Coty and the third for Leo.
“Don’t worry about Brandon. We’ll show him the ropes,” Coty said.
“Just how?” I asked.
“Oh, just yell at him. He’ll pick it up. He’ll get it pretty quick,” Mark laughed.
The four said they’re honored to serve their country together, and are anxious to get back to their loved ones. For Brandon, that’s his girlfriend; and for Leo, Mark, and Coty, that’s their wives and children they’re leaving behind.
“I love you guys. We’ll see you as soon as we can get back to you,” Coty said.