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Jul 30, 2008 2:56 pm US/Central
Army Reservists Get Deployment Ceremony In Buffalo
BUFFALO, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Friends and family members of the 170 soldiers of the 353rd Transportation Company now have one more day with their loved ones before they're sent to New Jersey for training.
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Members of an Army Reserve unit were given a special deployment ceremony in Buffalo, Minn. Wednesday morning. They're on the cusp of serving their second tour of duty in Iraq.
Friends and family members of the 170 soldiers of the 353rd Transportation Company now have one more day with their loved ones before they're sent to New Jersey for training.
They will then be sent to Iraq in two months' time.
Those in attendance got a special treat by dancers from QC Dance as they performed a salute-theme tap dance for the audience. The dancers go to deployment ceremonies in Minnesota to honor soldiers.
The soldiers in this unit returned from their last deployment in 2005, and they said saying good-bye doesn't get any easier.
"I've been telling them that Mom is going to be gone for a long, long time," said Tabitha Jeffries of Mankato. "I don't know if he quite understands what's going on, but he knows Mom will be gone for a long time."
"Don't want to leave my family, but it's what I've got to do," said Jonathan Bernao of St. Paul.
The Patriot Guard was also at Wednesday's ceremony to honor the troops.
The soldiers in this group will be driving trucks and hauling fuel. The unit includes three couples and a set of brothers.
They will return home one year from now.
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