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National Guard soldiers set to leave for overseas assignment

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May 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Hundreds of Iowa National Guard soldiers are leaving for training and then deployments overseas in the next few days. Guard spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wunn, says it’s important to have send-off ceremonies for these soldiers, even in the midst of a pandemic.

The public will not be allowed to attend, but ceremonies will be live-streamed on Facebook and, in some instances, broadcast by local media. In addition, there will be parade routes through communities as the soldiers depart.

Wunn says around 500 soldiers based at an eastern Iowa unit are deploying. About 350 other soldiers from the 113th Cavalry, based in Le Mars and Johnston, will also be leaving for tours of duty that will last about 12 months.