The Kennebec Journal

April 20

Surprise sendoff for Litchfield soldier

By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

LITCHFIELD - Mike Sherman, on his way to report for duty with his Maine Army National Guard unit for deployment to Afghanistan Saturday, got what must have seemed like an unpleasant surprise - a State Trooper, lights flashing, pulling over his family's vehicle in an apparent traffic stop shortly after leaving their Litchfield home.

There were more surprises to come. Pleasant ones.

Dozens of area firefighters, as well as state and county police, joined together to give Sherman, a sergeant with the Guard's 1136 Transportation Company and a captain with Litchfield Fire Department, an escort, lights flashing and sirens blaring as they went.

Before departing town with the noisy escort, Sherman, 24, stopped by the Litchfield Fire Department where he was greeted by a large crowd of supporters. Smiling broadly, Sherman emerged from his family's van and appeared to greet each of the well-wishers, several of whom were in tears, personally. He exchanged hugs with many, and firm handshakes with others, receiving countless wishes to "stay safe."

Sherman's company is headed for training in Texas before deploying to Afghanistan for a year or so. It is his first overseas deployment.

"He's a wonderful boy, outstanding, his whole family is," Margery Mars, Sherman's third and fourth-grade teacher at Libby-Tozier School, said while waiting at the fire station for the escort to return with Sherman. "I'm sure he's going to make a good soldier. When I heard about this (sendoff), I knew this was where I need to be this morning."

After just a few minutes of well-wishing at the fire station, Sherman and his parents, Jim and Helen, and brother, Chris, had to get back on the road to leave Litchfield in time for him to report for duty.

Litchfield Deputy Chief Rick Gowell said Sherman is an outstanding citizen and great friend and would be missed by the town of Litchfield during his deployment.

And no speeding ticket was involved. Trooper Patrick Munzing pulling Sherman's family over ini his unmarked cruiser was all part of the surprise, and a way to stop him so the escort involving firefighters from several area communities could form.