CHEYENNE — The upcoming deployment of Wyoming National Guard soldiers to Iraq and Kuwait — the largest single-unit deployment in Wyoming history — is a family affair for some.
About 950 soldiers from Wyoming are departing over the next few days to Fort Hood, Texas. They’ll receive training there before heading off to the Mideast.
Among them are a mother and daughter from one family, three brothers and a sister from another, and several pairs of siblings.
Sgt. Kathaleen Cassedy of Cheyenne has almost two decades of military experience between active Army duty and service in the Wyoming Army National Guard. She said she never thought “in a million years” that she would go to war with her daughter, Pvt. Tyla Cassedy.
But that’s happening after Tyla Cassedy, 18, decided after a few weeks as a freshman at the University of Wyoming that college didn’t suit her — at least not for now.
“I had her set up at the University of Wyoming, in a dorm room, doing college like she’s supposed to do after high school. And so I’ve got mixed feelings,” Kathaleen Cassedy said.
“As a mom, I’m like, ‘Why didn’t you just stay in school?’ and as a soldier, an NCO, I’m like, ‘Wow . . . you’re stepping up to help the country.’ ”
Tyla Cassedy said her mom is a “huge role model” and a big inspiration for her decision to go last year through basic training and join the National Guard.
She said her mother’s deployment didn’t influence her decision to volunteer to deploy — but she’ll be glad to have her mom nearby in the Middle East.
“I kind of like having her around,” Tyla Cassedy said. “Since she’s been in the Army for so long, she gives me lots of tips and tells me ahead of time what to expect.”
Tyla Cassedy expects to drive officers around in Iraq. Kathaleen Cassedy expects to be busy with administrative work — pushing paper at headquarters.
“She’s going to see a bit more than I am, I think,” Kathaleen Cassedy said.
Other Army Guard members headed for deployment include three brothers and a sister from the Heiser family in Lovell. The four siblings were busy with last-minute packing Thursday.
The brothers have deployed to Iraq before and said they plan to look out for their sister, Sgt. Natalie Heiser, 26, and offer her advice.
“She’ll probably reply back, ‘I know what I’m doing, shut up,’ ” said Sgt. Steven Heiser, 28.
Heiser is twin brother of Staff Sgt. Stacey Heiser. Both bragged about being the toughest spades players in Iraq during their last deployment, in 2004-05.
