Parting company

Preparing to depart
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Family members of Marines in Engineer Company C, including Jon Thomas, center, Kim Pettit, and 13-month-old Emma Thomas, the parents and daughter of Cpl Robert Thomas, listen intently as Major David Haney answers questions regarding the company's upcoming tour of duty during a meet and greet for the Marine's families and the commanding officers at the Marine Corps Reserve Center on West Plank Road in Peoria on Wednesday. The company will be departing to Camp Lejeune on Friday before heading to Iraq for a 1-year tour. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR