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September 27, 2007

Bristol Guard unit leaves for N.J. to prepare for Iraq

One hundred seventy five members of the Rhode Island National Guard set out this morning on a bus to Fort Dix., N.J., where they’ll stop for training on their way to Iraq.

The members of the C Battery, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Brigade left from the National Guard Armory in Bristol, where friends and family said their last goodbyes. They were accompanied to the Connecticut line by the Patriot Guard Riders, according Lt. Col. Denis J. Riel.

They should arrive in New Jersey by 2 this afternoon.

For many of the soldiers, this is a voluntary second tour in Iraq, where they will act as a security force. The group is expected to return home in October, 2008, Riel said.

With this deployment, 445 Rhode Island National Guardsmen are on active duty.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 10:07 AM | Permalink

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