Beaumont supports SETX soldiers

     The National Guard probably makes you think of troops helping during domestic disasters but almost half of the troops deployed overseas are national guardsmen. These men and women have full-time jobs but during the past eight years, some of them have served three or more year-long tours.

     In her special report, Citizen Soldier, Jessica Holloway shows why two Southeast Texans will help others understand the unique service of the guard.

     A group boards a C-130 military aircraft at Ellington Field in Houston. They stop for a photo-op amidst the crowd of employers traveling to el paso to see their citizen soldiers training at Fort Bliss.

     There are two men here from Beaumont who don't seem to belong. Don Ellington and Vernon Durden.

     They don't have children in the military, they don't have employees, they're not even veterans. So we had to find out why they're here. They say it's simple.

     "I care about our troops I'm involved and I care what goes on with our government," said Vernon Durden.

     The military is changing. It's trying new things. It's teaching its officers it's important to read news from all sources and listen to opinions from around the world.

     Part of the training is cultural immersion. Call to prayer is played over a loud speaker at Fort Bliss. Troops are learning to speak Arabic. These soldiers are doing more than before because they're fighting a war unlike any before.

     And while they may feel isolated at times as Americans carry on with their lives at home. A couple of guys from Beaumont who care about their community will bring back photos and memorabilia and more importantly stories and positive information for the public.

     Sometimes you find a connection with someone in the most unlikely place. Thursday we'll examine how two strangers who grew up in the same part of the world find comfort in each other during a war thousands of miles away.