| Sources |
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 25 Sep 2010.
Family pride: Brothers-in-law serve together in Marine Corps
By Melanie Tucker
melt@thedailytimes.com
On Aug. 26 and then again on Sept. 3, an exit was made from Blount County that left two families with aching hearts but also huge pride.
That day in August was time for Marine Lance Corporal Trevor Hartsell, 23, to report for his second deployment in the war on terrorism, with a destination of Pakistan. Then a week later, Trevor's brother-in-law Marine Lance Corporal Mark Garland, 19, left family and friends behind as well, headed for Afghanistan.
Trevor joined the Marines in September 2007 after graduating from William Blount High School in 2006. A 2009 graduate of Heritage High School, Mark signed on for five years military service in August of last year.
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For the wives, girlfriends and sisters left behind, it will be a test of their true grit. No one knows that better than Roben Hartsell, wife of Trevor and sister of Mark. Married just over a year, Roben has moved in with her mother, Eden Garland in Maryville, to be comfort for and be comforted by a close circle of family.
“What are the odds that two guys from Maryville would join the Marines three years apart and end up in the same regiment, doing the same thing,” Roben said. Both Trevor and Mark are stationed at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina and both are members of the 8th Marine Regiment. Mark serves in the 1st Battalion while Trevor is part of the 3rd Battalion.
The families of both of these brave men said no one was surprised when each decided on a military life. Eden Garland, Roben and Mark's mom, said her son was part of a Young Marines program and she knew better than to talk him out of his destiny. “He loves it so much,” she explained.
But it was extremely hard for this mother to say her goodbyes. She lost her middle son in a car accident six years ago. Mark is her youngest.
“It has been hard to let Mark go,” she said. “I not only worry about my son but also for the other parents who have sons over there.”
Cindy McDevitt is Trevor's mom and one who admitted she tried to get him to go to school instead of join the Marines. He did that for a while, to please mom and dad, she said. But ultimately made the decision he had wanted to make all along.
“He told me on Mother's Day that he would be leaving on his 20th birthday to join the Marines,” McDevitt said. “This is what he was born to do.”
Roben and Mark's dad, Robert Garland, was also in the Marines. Roben said she didn't take kindly to the strictness in her household growing up. Marrying a Marine was not at all in her future plans.
“I never, ever, ever thought I would marry a Marine,” she said.
Ironically, Roben and Trevor dated for a very short time before the two eloped and married at the courthouse after Trevor's first deployment. The two then settled into an apartment near Wilmington, N.C. for about a year, until Trevor was once again deployed. He celebrated his 23rd birthday on a ship headed for Pakistan.
Trevor is spontaneous, mischievous, talkative, always wanting to make people smile, Roben and McDevitt said. Mark is quieter, more sensitive, his mom and sister said. It goes without saying that both love their country and are willing to put everything on the line for it and us.
McDevitt said she remembers Sept. 11, 200,1 and her son coming home from school. He told his mom “I can't wait to do something about this.”
These days, Roben said she worries more about her brother than Trevor, simply because this is Mark's first deployment and he is on the ground in Afghanistan. She said having gone through that first deployment with Trevor, she knows what to expect. She has been a source of information and support for her mom as she navigates the uncertainty.
Roben is a stylist at Westside Salon in Maryville and keeps busy with her job and also by spending time with her extended families. She said it's so important to have positive people in her life right now. Trevor's grandparents, Blanche and Lonnie Hartsell, have been great sources of strength, Roben said. His dad, Earl Hartsell, resides in Harriman.
Mark will be in Afghanistan for seven months; Trevor will serve nine months before returning home. Roben said she and Trevor will renew their wedding vows next year, including family this time.
She is adamant that we all understand and appreciate the sacrifices these young men are making. She stays in contact via e-mail and is always sending care packages as little pieces of home.
"What these guys are doing — they are at the very front of the front of the line,” this Marine wife said. “They are the first to be put in harm's way. You have to have respect for them.”
McDevitt said even though this is Trevor's second deployment, it doesn't get any easier. No matter how old they get, they will always be our children.
“As a mother, your children never really grow up,” McDevitt said, “They grow up but they never stop being your babies.”
To keep her sanity, Mark's mom Eden said she doesn't read or watch updates on the war. She waits for his phone calls and counts down the days until his return. In the meantime, these Marine moms, wife and sister keep moral up and their connections to each other strong.
“I am going to do everything I can to take care of my boys,” Roben promised.
- [S131] Divorce Record.
Husband's Name Wife's First Name Wife's Maiden Name County Court Date of Divorce File #
HARTSELL EARL R CYNTHIA G DECK BLOUNT GENERAL SESSIONS 03-18-1993 03677
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
MCDEVITT MATTHEW A CYNTHIA DECK BLOUNT 01-29-1995 00105
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