Helena Independent Record: Family, friends say farewell
Staff Sgt. Roger Petersen received at least five goodbye hugs each from his four sons on Sunday morning if not 10 or 20. At one point, he had all four, along with his wife, Angel, latched onto him at one time.
The boys waved their little American flags as they watched their father go through security at Helena Regional Airport.
Right before going through the metal detector, Roger Petersen ran back for one final hug and kiss from his wife and sons — Travis, 9, Joshua, 7, and 3-year-old twins Dawson and Derek.
On Sunday morning, Roger Petersen was heading to Fort Hood, Texas, along with about 25 members of the Fort Harrison-based 640th Aviation Support Battalion. Following about eight weeks of final training, the Montana Army National Guard Soldiers will deploy to Iraq for about a year.
Dawson Peterson clung to his dad. This was the first time Roger Peterson has deployed overseas since the twins were born and his second time total.
