Members of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment's local National Guard unit are just days away from deployment to Iraq.
The troops have been in Camp Shelby in Mississippi since early December preparing for their mission.
Jim Lindsey is the commander of the National Guard Armory in Sweetwater while the troops are away.

Lindsey said the soldiers got a five-day pass to spend time with their families before going to Iraq, however the troops are not allowed to go more than 150 miles away from Camp Shelby.
Lindsey said a ceremony for the Guard's send off is planned for Friday at Camp Shelby.
He expects after that the troops will then leave out over the next several days for a year's stay in Iraq.

Soldiers left the Lieurance/Hunt Armory Sweetwater on Dec. 6 for their Camp Shelby training.
The Guardsmen got to come home for Christmas for a few days before returning back to the training base.
People and businesses in the community raised $10,000 to pay for buses to bring the troops home for Christmas.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat. com | 337-7101