The Freedom Salute ceremony honors the families, employers, and other "centers of influence" of each Guard member. Each Soldier will receive an encased American flag, lapel insignia, commemorative coin, and a certificate of appreciation. Soldiers on their second deployment will receive a Freedom ring and their spouse will receive a clock in recognition of their service. The remaining spouses will receive a commemorative lapel pin. Employers and other centers of influence will receive a medallion.

Before deploying, the ETT spent about eight weeks engaged in mission specific training at Fort Riley, Kansas. While in Afghanistan, their mission was to instruct the Afghan National Police in sustained law enforcement operations that would enable them to eventually establish and maintain the rule of law in Afghanistan.

Today, roughly 1,800 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe in support of the global war on terrorism; however, as the Michigan Guard serves the nation abroad, more than 85 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