Local News

Local soldiers shipping out

Pallavi Agarwal | Highlands Today
Published: February 14, 2013

AVON PARK - More than 30 Florida Army National Guard soldiers from the Avon Park National Guard Armory's Bravo Battery are set to deploy overseas in about a couple of weeks, and the public is invited to wish them well.

The local soldiers are part of 365 Guard members deploying from 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery, whose headquarters is in Plant City and includes units from Arcadia, Avon Park and Lake Wales.

This is the second deployment for the group, which is headed to Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, for approximately nine months.

Sgt. 1st Class James Metz, the readiness NCO for the Avon Park unit, said they have been working on the deployment for 10 months.

"They are ready to go, do their jobs and get back to their families," he said.

The departure ceremony is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Highlands Today Center, 781 Magnolia Ave., Sebring, at the Highlands County Fairgrounds.

The battalion will then deploy from Plant City for Camp Shelby in Mississippi Feb. 23.

Sebring's American Legion's District 8 Coordinator John Vincent III encouraged everyone from the community to attend to show their support.

Gov. Rick Scott also may attend, although that was not confirmed as of press time.

Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., Adjutant General of Florida's National Army Guard, and Assistant Adjutant General Maj. Gen. James D. Tyre will be present, Metz said.

While the actual ceremony lasts about an hour, there will be patriotic music, a bounce house and face painting for the soldiers' families from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Metz said that is open to the public as well.

Vincent said they are looking for monetary donations from the community to help offset the cost of hosting the event.

To donate, contact Capt. Kyle Richardson at kyle.j.richardson@us.army.mil; or Vincent at 471-0233, 214-1129 or jpvincentiii@hotmail.com