By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Soldiers assigned to three Alabama Army National Guard units are heading overseas for assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Departure ceremonies were held over the weekend for 250 soldiers. 60 personnel from the 278th Chemical Battalion were given a send-off Sunday at the Oneonta National Guard armory. 50 soldiers from the 1993rd Personnel Service Detachment also were recognized at Fort Rufus W. Shepherd armory near Dannelly Field in Montgomery. Meanwhile...family and friends said a tearful goodbye Saturday to 140 members of the 440th Chemical Company at armories in Vincent and Clanton. A guard spokesman says the soldiers will all undergo additional training before they deploy.