Local National Guard soldiers get big send off

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Story Published: May 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM PDT

By Kristina Nelson, KCBY News

COOS BAY, Ore. - Local National Guard troops were escorted out of town in style this Monday morning, as they headed down to Medford for a pre-deployment meeting.

Members of Point Man Ministries International and the American Legion, as well as Coos Bay Fire and Police and OSP were on hand very early Monday to see off the soldiers.

"The fire trucks will lead out and as i understand it, Coquille will pick up and Myrtle Point and i think there's one unit going all the way to Medford with them. It's just gonna be awesome, we're hoping every little town in Oregon has similar planning set-up," says Point Ministries member Bruce Epperson.

The soldiers joined others from around the state for their pre-deployment meeting.

Point Man Ministries member Hank Elsworth says showing support for the troops is the most important thing someone can do.

"They are our right to freedom, they're doing their job and laying their life on the line, so we want to stand behind them and show them that they are supported without any doubt."

Some of the soldiers will be departing immediately to Camp Stewart, Georgia, others will be leaving in a few weeks, where they will train before leaving for Iraq.

Nearly 2,700 soldiers from Oregon, which includes 500 from Coos, Douglas, and Jackson counties are required to be in Georgia by the 18th of May.

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