PFC Kristopher Watkins
TN National Guard
1175th Transportation Unit





Troops in the 1175th National Guard Unit are ready to defend freedom. The unit stationed in Jacksboro, TN has received a deployment order and will be leaving for Fort Bragg, N.C., in early May, 2007. After a few weeks of training, the unit will deploy to an undisclosed location in the Middle East. Their mission is expected to last for 400 days.

The 1175th will host a family day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 5, 2007 at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, TN. The public is invited to come by and visit with the soldiers before they leave the next week.

Keep our Tennessee troops in your thoughts and prayers as they embark upon this mission for our freedom.



Once I cuddled you, watched you play
Took care of my boy every day.
Now you’re one of our nation’s best
You’re a United States soldier.
I dried your tears and bandaged your knee
When you wanted comfort, you came to me
Now you’re defending the Land of the Free
You’re a United States soldier.
Once I told you never to fight
Unless you were standing for what is right
Now you help make up America’s might
You’re a United States soldier.
The day you left, I thought I would die
I hated for you to see me cry
How could my boy, my sweet little guy
Become a United States soldier?
Graduation day was emotional and fun
Two hundred new soldiers, each an Army of One
You said “I made it, Mom!”…I said “Hooah, son!
You’re a United States soldier!”
You’re still my baby; it will always be so
Whatever you do and wherever you go
But you’re also a man, one I’m proud to know
You’re a United States soldier.













The Army Song (you're listening to it):

First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation's might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle's won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.
Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army's on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e'er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

Valley Forge, Custer's ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.

Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army's on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e'er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we're right,
And we'll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.

Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army's on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e'er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.