(Estherville)– Hundreds of people gathered at National Guard Armories in Estherville, Spencer, Storm Lake, Algona and Fort Dodge today (Saturday) to bid farewell to members of the 1st Battallion 194th Field Artillery being called to active duty as part of Operation Noble Eagle.
In Estherville, Mayor Lyle Hevern pledged the community’s support to guard members and their families.
Jeremy Gaumer, Captain of Battery “C”, thanked the area communities for their outpouring of support and concern, saying it’s very heartwarming. He said the families of guard members should be especially proud, and that their loved ones would never leave except to answer the call to higher duty.
Also addressing the crowd was retired National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grieg, who was a member of the 1st Battallion 194th Field Artillery when it was first called to active duty to Korea 52 years ago.
Following the ceremony, a convoy of National Guard vehicles left Estherville enroute to Camp Johnson near Des Moines where they’ll spend the night. From there, they’ll head to Fort Knox, Kentucky where they’ll receive their official orders.
The battallion is being deployed for atleast a year.
