A farewell to soldiers
GREEN — More than 400 friends and family gathered to say goodbye to 40 soldiers from the Ohio National Guard Company G 137th Aviation Heavy Helicopter Maintenance FWD 3 and Company A 638th Division Aviation Support Battalion April 1 at The Chapel in Green.
Pictured above, the soldiers march into the room while friends and family stood and waved American flags to honor the units.
Shown below, Megan Green and daughter Tiana, 3, of Stow, were among those attending the ceremony for husband and father Tim. “I am glad to serve,” said Green of his duty.
The soldiers left April 4 for several months of training in Texas in preparation for a tour of duty in Iraq.
During the ceremony, several of the soldiers were promoted in rank, and the group received good wishes, a few words of instructions, a blue star flag (flown at homes where a family member is away on duty) and care packages as well as an acknowledgement of the soldiers’ “sacrifice and brave efforts” from a number of ranking military officials and from state Sen. Kimberly Zurz (28th District). “We wish you well and look forward to seeing you again,” Zurz said.
— By Maria Lindsay
Photos: Maria Lindsay
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