DADDY MAKES ME PROUD
The buses pulled away last night, carrying a sea of camouflaged men with them as family members stood back to say goodbye, sporting yellow ribbons and waving American flags in tribute. Waynesboro's Battery C, 1st Battalion of the 214th Field Artillery, Georgia Army National Guard, departed Tuesday evening, June 12, for its mobilization station at Fort Bliss, Texas, in preparation for a year-long deployment to Iraq. Approximately 80 soldiers from Waynesboro's Battery C will be joined by an equal number of volunteers from the 78th Troop Command, the 48th Infantry Brigade and the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Georgia Army National Guard for the deployment. Pictured, 5-year-old Ashley stays close to her father, Staff Sgt. Joseph Armistead of Comer, in the last few hours before deployment. While in Iraq, the unit will be involved in security missions.

STAFF - DIANA ROYAL