We honor Hometown Hero, Nathan Anderson, a 22 year old Sergeant from New Castle in the Delaware Army National Guard’s 153rd Military Police Company. Thank you Nathan and to ALL who have dedicated your lives to protecting our American freedom!

Nathan writes to us from Afgahanistan…

“I have been a member of the Delaware National Guard’s 153rd Military Police Company organization for the past four and a half years.  As of January 2013, we began our journey to train, and ultimately deploy to Afghanistan.  After our departure ceremony – which if any of you attended, I want you to know that we all appreciated your support – from there, we started a month long training that would take place at Fort Dix, New Jersey.  At first, it was a little different, but living the military lifestyle is not something that is easily forgotten.  Most days were spent training on new tactics and procedures that would be implemented once we entered theater{of war}.  The training was overall very informative and in depth.  I know that I walked away from training feeling that I was better prepared for what was to come.  After the month of training and final good-byes, it was time to truely start the deployment.  I can say honestly once we made it to country, it was a little hard to truly understand the amount of distance between myself and the ones I love.  It took some adjusting, but I can say that with the help of my fellow soldiers, I was able to adjust just fine.  As of right now, we are in our new home. I am sure that if any of you have friends or family within the company that you know just where that is.  I will continue to write for NDH for as long as I can.  All that I ask of you, {NDH viewers}, is that you remember the hometown heroes that are out here fighting for you.  Never forget what so many have gone before us and done, and what so many in the future will do.  We appreciate all of your support.  Thank you.”

Nathan Anderson, Sergeant, Delaware Army National Guard’s 153rd Military Police Company Tactical Operations

 Watch here at NorthDelaWHEREHappening.com for more posts from Nathan.

Thank you Nathan and to ALL who have dedicated your lives to protecting our American freedom!

Nathan with Mom, Patty, and Sister, Ashley.

127 members of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 153^rd Military Police and approximately 20 aero-medical evacuation members of the Delaware Air National Guard deployed, and that’s just the beginning.  Both the Delaware Army and Air Guard are expected to deploy many more as the year progresses.

When Soldiers and Airmen deploy, they leave behind many things, not the least of which is their families.  The stress of being deployed and leaving behind your family can be very difficult.  Returning home to a life that continued while you were away can be even more difficult and filled with many challenges.  Spending quality time reconnecting with family is a vital part of the reintegration process.

153rd Delaware
Photo by LTC Len Gratteri

153rd Delaware Send Off Jan 3 2013
Photo by 1LT Chelsea Newman

The Press Release from Nathan’s Company’s Departure in Jan 2013

• Posted in:        December 2012
• By Sgt. Wendy McDougall
• Dec 27, 2012 – 11:19:59 AM

Del. Army Guard troops depart for Afghanistan

153^rd Military Police Company departure ceremony to be held at Army Aviation Facility

On Thursday, January 3, the Delaware National Guard will host a departure ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at the Army Aviation Support Facility, 41 Corporate Circle, New Castle, Del. for approximately 175 members of the 153rd Military Police Company deploying to Afghanistan. The ceremony is open to the public and the media are invited to attend.

The 153^rd, headquartered in Delaware City, is scheduled for a 12 month active-duty tour.  After the departure ceremony, they will report to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, in New Jersey, to receive training specific to the Afghan theater.  The unit will be there for four to six weeks, before heading to Afghanistan.

Once in theater, they will relieve Montana’s 44^th Military Police Company.

The primary mission of the 153^rd will be to assist and train their Afghan counterparts in security operations.  Typical training will include setting up roadside checkpoints, securing building projects and conducting walking patrols.

Throughout 2012, Soldiers in the 153^rd have been training on their military police skills, as well as, basic soldier tasks and drills.  All this training is happening with longer drill weekends and extended annual training periods. The 153^rd is fully capable of handling whatever may come their way, said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Adjuctant General, Delaware National Guard. They have been preparing for this mission for a year; they are well-trained and well-led.

Over 1,000 friends, family and well-wishers will fill the facility for the ceremony.

For more information, please contact

Sgt. Wendy McDougall at 302-270-0720 or Lt. Col. Len Gratteri at 302-540-0134.