National Guard deployment ceremony April 5, 2008

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Eric Crump/Democrat-News

According to Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, the consolidated deployment ceremony in Columbia March 22 was an impressive event (more than 1,000 soldiers in formation!) but more moving was the moment Saturday, April 5, when friends and families of area soldiers came to honor and officially say farewell. When the guard deploys soldiers, Sidwell said, it's a community sacrifice. Here are some photos from the event.

Before the deployment ceremony at the armory in Marshall Saturday, April 5, someone had placed a flower in the barrel of the canon on display in front of the building. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
Soldiers at attention after filing into the armory for the ceremony. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
José, Adyn and Linda Valenzuela of Marshall were kind enough to talk with me after the ceremony. This will be José's second deployment in five years, the first overseas. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
Luis Flores is another Marshall soldier heading to Kosovo with area guard units. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)

Antonio Tinoco, along with other area guard soldiers, heads for Indiana for training on his unit's way eventually to Kosovo. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
Maj. Gen. King Sidwell gave the main address at the deployment ceremony in Marshall April 5. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
Christina Myers of Kansas City helps haul supplies Saturday, April 5, in preparation for departure from the Marshall armory following the deployment ceremony. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)