Texas National Guardsmen leave for the Middle East

AUSTIN, Texas - Approximately 350 National Guardsmen from the Texas National Guard’s 4-133rd Field Artillery left for the middle east Sunday, where they will provide rocket missile support.

Among them is 23-year-old DeAndre Acosta. At Acosta’s home in Killeen, his family is preparing for a mission of their own. “I’m fighting back tears, I’m trying to keep the game face on. I didn’t think I would be this emotional. I know I can get through this, I think it’s just new, everything is new.” said Chassanique Acosta, DeAndre's wife. 

Though Acosta left the country Sunday, he has not been home since his deployment ceremony, on November 9  when he left for training. His absence already hangs heavy in the home. He will miss the holidays, and his son, DeAndre Jr’s second birthday. 

“Everything we get to do  [in the United States] freely, is because someone decided to step up and be a soldier and go fight.” said Chassanique Acosta, adding that knowing her husband “is ready” for his mission, gives her comfort. 

At home, she says the family is focused on taking things one thing at a time. “[The] countdowns begun, and we’ll see him soon.” 

Acosta and his unit are expected to return to the states in a year.