|
Official: Public helps drive National Guard |
|
|
|
Friday, 04 January 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — The Ohio National Guard will soon be deploying 1,600 soldiers of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) including 75 of St. Marys unit Alpha Company Special Troops Battalion.
At 10 a.m. Saturday in Memorial High School auditorium, families, friends and supporters will get a chance to give the Alpha Company a big send-off before the 37th heads to Fort Hood, Texas on Monday. The troops will head to Texas for training and then to Kuwait in the spring.
“It’s a military ceremony to honor the soldiers shipping out,” Lt. Matt Molinksi, commander of the local unit, told The Evening Leader.
The short ceremony will be marked by speeches from community members and unit leaders. Ohio National Guard officials encouraged the public to attend to show their support for the troops prior to their deployment.
“It is open to the public and the public is welcome to come,” Major Nicole Gabriel, a spokesperson with the Ohio National Guard Public Affairs Office, told The Evening Leader. “We really can’t do what we do without the support of our communities and our families.”
The 37th is scheduled for a 12-month deployment. During their time in Kuwait, the 37th will conduct base camp and security mission.
The 37th is deploying as a modular brigade combat team formation, according to The Ohio National Guard Public Affairs Office. The 37th is composed of units from Ohio and Michigan and while other units in the 37th have been previously deployed either at home or abroad, this will a first for the Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
This is the largest single-unit deployment for the Ohio National Guard since World War II.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 January 2008 )
|
