Updated 01/28/2012 10:37 PM
Families Send Off Local Soldiers Leaving for Kuwait
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Army National Guard soldiers from across New York received a warm send off Saturday as they prepared for deployment to Kuwait.
For many of them, saying goodbye before the mission was the hardest part, especially for their families.
"Leaving family, I have a 7-year-old son, so that was kind of hard," said PFC David Polowski, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry.
Polowski is one of more than 130 soldiers gearing up to go Kuwait.
"It's hard. I'm gonna miss him," said Marci Maenza, Polowski's mother.
Like many of his comrades, this is the Rochester native's first deployment and first time being so far from home.
"Very proud he's doing something for his country and helping with the world peace effort. I'm just very honored," said Joseph Polowski, his father.
Saturday's New York Army National Guard soldiers will be a part of the 27th Infantry Brigade. Their mission will be to support security operations in Kuwait and other duties required by the Army. It's one they've spent more than a year preparing for.
"It's more like pre-game jitters. You don't know what to expect. It's just a lot of excitement," said PFC Ryan Dibble, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry.
Dibble is also a first-timer. For his family, the most difficult part is being left behind.
"We aren't going to be able to talk to them every single day or text them or whatever. So, it's a tough time," said Craig Dibble, Ryan's father. "He's doing something for our country that all these guys are doing and that makes me very proud of all these guys."
It's a pride that was amongst dozens of families and community members as they watched this departure ceremony take place at the New York State Armory in Geneseo.
"The support the community gives us and the support our congressional representatives give us and our families is hugely important," said Captain James Caggy, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry.
For soldiers and their families, the ceremony was a final salute before send off.
And it also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice these men and women and uniform continue to make.
"I'm just looking forward to the day he comes back home," said Joseph.
The brigade will leave for training camp in Shelby, Mississippi late Monday into Tuesday before they eventually leave for Kuwait.