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NEWS | July 9, 2008

Twin brothers, police officers deploy together for mission in Middle East

By Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa Florida National Guard Public Affairs

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Twin brothers Sgts. Daniel and Timothy DeKoeyer have been together all their lives.

As civilians, they serve together as police officers in Deland, Fla., and now the 22-year-old Soldiers have volunteered to deploy together to Afghanistan for a year-long military police mission.

The DeKoeyers left July 5 with the Florida Army National Guard's 715th Military Police Company, and later this summer will serve in Afghanistan and perform missions including convoy security and other military police responsibilities.

"I haven't deployed before, so I don't know what to expect overseas," Daniel explained before departing from the unit's armory in Melbourne, Fla. "Me and my brother are life-long buddies. We're from a different unit, but we volunteered to go with this unit. We're going to stay together and watch each other's backs."

The DeKoeyer twins were previously assigned to the 1st Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Daytona Beach.

They said that although some people have trouble telling them apart while on duty, the challenges always work themselves out.

"Eventually through time they all get to know our differences, and they'll eventually be able to tell us apart," Timothy said.

Both brothers said they feel the mission will go much smoother since they are deploying together.

"It will definitely be easier having someone you've known your whole life be there with you," Timothy added.

More than 150 members of the 715th Military Police Company traveled to Camp Shelby, Miss., for additional training before traveling to Afghanistan.

 

 

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