A salute to Charlie Company

GAINESVILLE - Despite the gloomy weather, there was a star spangled farewell salute to members of the Georgia Army National Guard today on their way overseas to serve their country.

Members of Charlie Company, their families and members of the community gathered Thursday afternoon at the Gainesville Civic Center for a patriotic good-bye before the soldiers are deployed for a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Gainesville Mayor Myrtle Figueros, U.S. Congressman Nathan Deal and other local leaders offered words of encouragement at the send-off.

Deal said even though the Obama administration is hoping for a pullout from Afghanistan and Iraq in the near future, the members of the Charlie Company will not experience any pullout of support from lawmakers.

Martin Elementary School students sang, the Chestatee Symphonic Band played patriotic tunes, and members of the Hall County Sheriff's Department and Gainesville High School JROTC participated as well.

The 1st Battalion , 121st Infantry Regiment 48th brigade of the Guard was last deployed to Iraq in 2005. The soldiers will leave Monday for Camp Shelby, Miss. before going to Afghanistan.