PEORIA, Ill. – Some of Peoria’s best are once again ready to help their country.
The 709th Medical Company Area Support held a deployment ceremony Saturday, ahead of an assignment to help coalition forces in five locations over four countries, as part of what’s called “Operation Inherent Resolve” in Iraq and Libya.
“The mission of taking care of your fellow service members, has not changed. You will be the difference between life and death for your fellow Americans. That is heroes’ work,” said Gov. JB Pritzker at the deployment ceremony, talking about how things have changed since the unit’s last deployment in 2011.
“I know it’s been difficult — it’s been challenging — for both the leadership team and the state team as well, to get this company ready,” said Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, commander of the Illinois National Guard. “But, I’m so pleased to see their preparedness and their commitment to service. It’s truly appreciated by all of us.”
The unit was challenged during a deployment ceremony Saturday, according to the Illinois National Guard, in three areas: take care of each other, do something you’ve always wanted to do, and stay in contact with their families over the next as much as four hundred days.
