100+ Colorado National Guard Troops Deploy To Middle East
DENVER (CBS4)- It was an emotional day on Monday for more than 100 members of the Colorado National Guard and their families. They gathered for a deployment ceremony before taking off for the Middle East.
The soldiers, based in Aurora and Pueblo, live in communities across Colorado. They were honored in a deployment ceremony on Monday before their scheduled departure on Tuesday.
The troops will be deployed for one year, a time frame that is weighing heavily on the hearts of those close to them.
"I'm nervous, I'm scared and I don't want him to go. I'm going to miss him," said Mary Shultze.
Although this is the first time Shultze has seen her husband deploy, her stepson, Ryan, has been through the process before.
"When your dad is gone you have to take on the responsibility that if you are the oldest in the family, like me, you have to take responsibility with helping around the house," said Ryan.
The soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery and 188th Forward Support Company will bid farewell Tuesday morning.
The Colorado National Guard leadership attended the ceremony to assure the families how much the mission means to so many people.
"They represent the United States of America and the hope that our nation brings overseas to those who are oppressed," said Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards.
Ryan plans to Facetime his dad as much as he can while he's gone.
"I just want him to know that I really do love him and hope he's okay out there," said Ryan.
The unit is scheduled to return to Colorado next summer.