Hundreds Of Md. National Guardsmen Head To Egypt
BALTIMORE (WJZ ) -- Hundreds of Maryland National Guardsmen are on their way to the Middle East. They'll be gone from their families for one year.
Andrea Fujii was there for the emotional goodbyes.
Whether it's a first or third deployment, saying goodbye is never easy.
"Not happy to leave obviously, for certain reasons," said Sgt. Jefferey Voorhees, Salisbury.
There are 440 Maryland National Guardsmen deploying from the 1st Battalion 175th Infantry Regiment heading to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.
The troops will be at observation towers enforcing the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt as part of the Camp David accords.
Specialist Jasmine Lee is leaving her children for the first time.
"I talk to them and try to get them to understand Mommy has to go away and do Army work," said Lee.
"I'm going to miss her very much," said Dezirae Lee, Severn.
Commanders say this deployment's been a year in the making and has nothing to do with protests in the region or Wednesday's bombing in Jerusalem.
Most of the soldiers say they don't expect combat.
"Anything's possible, let's put it that way," said Voorhees.
There were many bittersweet goodbyes.
"It makes me feel proud," said Maddie Roth, Overlea
Everyone is already looking forward to reuniting next year.
The battalion's most recent deployment was to Iraq in 2008.
