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Illinois Guard Readies for Deployment
The Illinois Army National Guard is gearing up for its largest single deployment since World War II. By the end of the year, about 3,000 soldiers will arrive in Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. To mark the deployment, the state's Department of Military Affairs is holding ceremonies this weekend around Illinois. Lieutenant Dutch Grove is spokesman for the Guard.
GROVE: It is a sacrifice on the community, especially maybe in some smaller communities, to have a large contingent - 30, 40, 100 residents - leave from their community that do a different job on a daily basis. So, it's important for the National Guard to recognize and thank the troops and their families and their community. And that's what these ceremonies are all about.
Grove says the soldiers' tours in Afghanistan are expected to last one year.
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