On Tuesday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m., the New Jersey National Guard will sponsor a “Salute the Troops” ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial in Trenton to honor the more than 300 citizen-soldiers from the Garden State deploying to the Arabian Peninsula in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Troops include members of the 1st Battalion - 114th Infantry from Headquarters and Headquarters Company (Woodbury), A Company (Mount Holly), B Company (Freehold) and C Company (Burlington).

    The event will feature an Official Deployment Ceremony and a Parade of Troops. In addition to the troops' family members and friends, participation is expected by Governor James E. McGreevey, Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard, Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, other local elected officials, community representatives, senior members of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, veterans organizations, the Red Cross, USO, Salvation Army, and Family Program and Family Readiness Group personnel from around the state.

    The public is also invited to attend and give the troops a special send-off.

    Media wishing to cover the event must register with Staff Sgt. Harbison at (609) 530-7088 no later than 3 p.m. on Monday May 17.