TALLADEGA COUNTY, AL (WBRC) -
It was a sad farewell today in Talladega, one of three cities in east Alabama hoping that their loved ones return home safely.
Today, the Alabama Army National Guard's 167th infantry division held a ceremony in Talladega before saying goodbye to family and friends.
Guard members are expected to head to Afghanistan, from their hometowns throughout Alabama. For some guardsmen this is not a first deployment to Afghanistan.
Their families were all given blue star flags, to fly in honor of family members serving in a war. The guard members say they are going to miss their families.
"You know, even though I have to leave them, I'm ready to go and see what the world has to offer and what the Army has to offer," PFC Michael Atkins said.
"Very proud of my young man, also afraid, but we'll be praying for him and have a huge party for him when he comes back," Debby Dahl-Young said.
A combined 600 guard members from the 167th are deploying from Talladega, Sylacauga and Oxford.
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Members of the 167th. Source: WBRC video
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