The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

SIU student prepares for deployment

The Accounts Payable office was filled with American flags, balloons and soldier figurines along with a Christmas tree adorned with patriotic decorations Wednesday. The somber celebration was in honor of one of its student employees who is preparing to leave for Iraq.

Seth Clark, a junior studying psychology from Carterville, will be leaving for Iraq Dec. 27.

He is a sergeant and team leader in the Mt. Vernon Charlie 2/123 National Guard unit.

Yavonne Bagwell, an account tech for the University, said the planning for a goodbye party for Clark was in the works as soon as they heard the news. Bagwell said Clark is someone who is always willing to help and always has a positive outlook.

"He brings a lot of laughter to Accounts Payable and he will be missed very much," Bagwell said.

A journal filled with well wishes and patriotic quotes from his fellow workers was presented to Seth along with a plaque displaying the definition of hero.

In November, Clark, who has served in the National Guard for four years, found out his unit will be taking its turn serving in the War in Iraq.

Clark, who has never been out of the country before, said the hardest part about leaving will be saying goodbye.

"I've never really had to leave home." Clark said. "I'm from Carterville so I've never been away from home for longer than six months for basic training."

Clark said he had heard rumors that his unit might be deployed, but that did not stop him from being surprised once he heard the news. Clark will serve in Iraq for at least a year, one month shy of the end of his service in the Guard.

Clark does not come from a family with a military background, but when it came time to join the military, his reason was simple.

"I had to serve my country," Clark said. "It's just what I needed to do, something I think everybody should do."

Clark said he is thankful he was given a three-month notice, not only because he was able to finish the fall semester, but also for the time to spend with his loved ones. He said by going to Iraq, he is helping another soldier return home.

"Emotionally I just know that me going there sends somebody else home," Clark said. "So that makes me feel better."

Clark said his friends and family have been helpful in keeping him positive. His girlfriend, Jessica, of almost four years, also keeps him going.

Tears came easy for Connie Clark, Seth's mother, as she talked about how proud she is of her son and how hard it will be for her to say goodbye.

"We're just taking it as it comes," she said. "We're just having lot's of family time."

With aspirations of a doctoral degree, Clark will have to put his education on hold for at least a year. His current teacher assistant's position and his student employment will be available to him on his return.

Heather Lemmon, a sophomore studying aviation from Belleville, has worked with Seth for the past two years and said Clark is the first person she has personally known who will serve in Iraq.

"Everybody else talks about having people over there, and I've never really had anybody to put that toward," Lemmon said. "But now I have Seth to think about while he's over there."

Lemmon said Clark is the kind of person who never stops smiling and is never in a bad mood. She said Clark has the ability to lift people's spirits and can make everyone he is around smile.

Clark said he is positive about his work in Iraq and he is proud of the soldiers who are currently serving and who previously served there.

"I'm very, very glad that those guys are over there," Clark said. "I'm proud of them and I'm just glad that somebody gets to come home because of me."

With the recent number of deaths from local military men, including Clark's hometown friend, Benjamin Smith, a Marine who died Sept. 22 while serving in Iraq, Clark said it is important for people to know that no matter what your beliefs are about the war, soldiers serving in Iraq need support.

"Just pray and think of our troops," Clark said.

 

 

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