LANSING, MICH.?Friends and family will bid farewell to approximately 150 Michigan National Guard Soldiers from the Greenville-based 1073rd Maintenance Company on Friday as they depart for Camp Shelby, Miss., and then Iraq for a 12-month tour of duty.

The Soldiers will train for approximately eight weeks at Camp Shelby before deploying to Iraq. While in Iraq they will provide force protection and convoy security.

The deployment ceremony will be held Friday, December 4, at 3:00 p.m., in the auditorium of Greenville High School, 111 North Hillcrest St., Greenville, Mich. 48838. Following the ceremony the unit will stand in formation at the Greenville Armory, 319 South Hillcrest St., in preparation for the 6:00 p.m. parade.

Today, more than 800 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as the Michigan Guard serves the nation abroad, more than 90 percent of the force is available, trained and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
Media is invited to attend the departure ceremony, formation and parade. If attending the ceremony please arrive no later than 2:30 p.m. Soldiers and family members will be available for interviews prior to the ceremony.