America's North Shore Journal

Sisters Enjoy Being Deployed to Same Location

BALAD, Iraq, Oct. 19, 2004 ‘ Most soldiers stationed in Iraq are 10,000 miles away from their families. But two sisters, Sgt. Andria Bergner and Capt. Mary Louise Bergner, are stationed together on Logistics Support Area Anaconda, here. Sgt. Bergner is an optical lab specialist assigned to the 226th Medical Logistics Battalion, while Capt. Bergner is commander of the 744th Transportation Company.

“[My sister] found out she was going to be deployed at the same time I found out,” Sgt. Bergner said. “We didn’t know for sure she was coming to [LSA Anaconda] till late January, after I was already here.”

The sisters will be able to spend 11 out of 12 months together, which gives them an opportunity to make up for lost time.

“I’m very excited [to be stationed together],” said Capt. Bergner, “I was glad because, as adults, we haven’t been able to spend a lot of time together because she’s in the active Army and I live in New Hampshire. We’re used to being separated by miles.” Their parents are proud of them and the service they are doing for their country, but are also worried, Capt. Bergner said.

“Of course, it frightens them with the war going on, having two daughters in Iraq,” Sgt. Bergner said. Sgt. Bergner said her sister was able to be present for some significant milestones in her career. “[Mary] was here to promote me to sergeant. She did my re-enlistment, and she was able to come up to the brigade when I got my award for winning NCO of the Year,” Sgt. Bergner said. “Those were some very distinguished moments in my career that she was able to be there for.”

Along with being there for each other during their proudest moments, there is also an amount of worry that comes knowing each other is in harms way.

“[When an alarm goes off] I usually always try to make a call to make sure nothing has hit near her,” Capt. Bergner said. “I’m thinking ‘God please don’t let it be anywhere near her,’ and then once I found out there haven’t been any injuries or anything, I breathe easier.”

Andria worries about her sister both inside and outside the post. “It makes me nervous because she’s the commander of a transportation unit and she goes out on the road a lot,” Sgt. Bergner said.

They are each aware of the dangers the other faces, but despite the worries, the sisters said they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’re just really, really lucky. I know there are a lot of people out there that come over here and maybe their family members are out here, but [not on the same camp]. We know we’re really lucky, because it’s an extra support network to have here,” Andria said.

Sisters
Sisters
There were never such devoted sisters

Never had to have a chaperone “No, sir”
I’m there to keep my eye on her

Caring
Sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing

When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
She wore the dress and I stayed home

All kinds of weather
We stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Two diff’rent faces
But in tight places
We think and we act as one

Those who’ve
Seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us

Many men have tried to split us up but no one can
Lord help the mister
Who comes between me and my sister
And Lord help the sister
Who comes between me and my man

by Irving Berlin