By Lori EhdeLocal National Guard members received their official marching orders two weeks ago, and they’re leaving Aug. 13. for a six-month deployment in England.That much they know for sure. It’s what they don’t know that’s making the waiting game difficult.According to Sgt. Robert Newman, Readiness NCO of Battery A, the numbers keep changing, so local military personnel don’t know for sure who’s staying and who’s going."I’ve never seen so many changes," he said. "There’s uncertainty over the number of troops actually needed for the peace keeping missions. The numbers we thought were solid aren’t anymore."On July 8, the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery (Luverne and Pipestone units) was notified it was being deployed to U.S. bases in Europe as part of security missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.At first, 105 Guardsmen were needed, today the number is 93, and now Newman said he’s hearing that it may drop again.The result, he said, is speculation among personnel about who will stay behind as the numbers drop. However, he said orders could change again increasing the number.Regardless, he said plans for deployment are going smoothly."I’m proud of our unit," he said. "We’re not having some of the problems the other units are having in terms of family issues and employment issues. We’ve got cooperative soldiers and a cooperative community."There are 93 affected members in the local unit that includes Luverne and Pipestone. Of those, 55 serve duty at the National Guard Training and Community Center in Luverne.Twenty-three of those live in Rock County and 21 live in Nobles County.Due to privacy laws, Newman said the National Guard is unable to release the full list of names.Community send-offThe Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the area banks, are providing a send-off ceremony for the affected Guard members at the Luverne City Park on Monday evening, Aug. 11, beginning at 6:30 PM. "The entire community is invited to the park to show support for the families of guard members and honor those leaving," said Chamber Director Dave Smith."This will be a major change for many families and we want them to know that while their loved ones are away, the communities they leave will be here to support their families."Guardsmen and their families will have a private meal at 5:30 p.m., and at 6:30, the entire community is invited to a short program at the city park.The event will include the presentation of a joint color guard, special seating for the guard members, music, and a limited number of speakers. At last word, local Guard members were told they’re going to England to serve as additional security officers. They could be doing things such as checking IDs and patrolling bases.
