By Lori EhdeLocal National Guard members will leave Wednesday, Aug. 13, for a six-month deployment in England.For the past several weeks, the affected soldiers and their families have been preparing for the departure, and on Monday, the community will bid them farewell in a deployment ceremony.A private picnic meal will be served for National Guard members and their families at 5:30 p.m. in Luverne City Park.The community is invited to a public ceremony from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Speakers include Mayor Glen Gust, County Commissioner Jane Wildung and National Guard Commander and World War II Veteran Warren Herreid."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."The event will include the presentation of a joint color guard, special seating for the guard members and patriotic music.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.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.
