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Photos and story by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA
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In a blink of eye, they were gone.

The last group of Soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team boarded the chartered airliners at McGuire Air Force Base and left New Jersey on June 25.

The Soldiers came from armories that were geographically scattered all across the state of New Jersey. Sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters and even grandparents left from 21 different armories. Truly the Guard is a community-based force.

For four days, starting on June 16 for some and as late June 22 for the others, the Soldiers were mobilized at their armories. Then, on the final day of their mobilization, they boarded buses under the tear-stained gaze of their loved ones and left for McGuire Air Force Base to leave for Fort Bliss, Texas, where they would continue their training in preparation for their nine-month tour in Iraq.

Godspeed 50th.


   

 

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Volume 34 Number 2 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2008 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military