Sunday was a hard day for families and friends of more than 100 National Guard members from the 150th Engineer Company...

People from Galloway Township, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, Somers Point, and Pleasantville all came together to give local and proud troops their best.

 

These troops are set to start an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment in Afghanistan. Their deployment begins at Camp Shelby, Mass.

 

The mission will last one year, and 'they will construct necessary infrastructure and deconstruct U.S. military bases to return areas to their original state or reconfigure areas to hand off to Afghan forces.' (Press of Atlantic City)

 

Hammonton City Mayor Steve DiDonato was also on hand for the ceremony, presenting the state flag to the unit.  Also, 'buses with 113 National Guard members were escorted by the Hammonton Police Department escorted motorcycle group riders the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst main gate.'

 

Watching our local friends deploy to Afghanistan certainly hits home harder, but we still salute ALL of our brave service men and women.    We wish you nothing but the best, and for a safe return.  We thank YOU for everything you do.

 

Leave your best wishes for these proud soldiers by commenting below...

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