More Alabama Guardsmen headed to Iraq

The Alabama Army National Guard’s 2101st Transportation Company out of Demopolis, Aliceville and Butler has been called to active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A departure ceremony for the unit will be held at Demopolis High School, 701 U.S. Highway 80 West, at 10 a.m. on Jan. 9.

The 2101st, formerly the 440th Ordnance Company, was deployed to the Middle East in the 1990s. The company also deployed to provide transportation support for Operation Iraq freedom during 2004-2005.

The approximately 170 members of the 2101st will head to Fort Dix, N.J. for final training before departing for Iraq.

The unit has been training for its mission over the past months, undergoing extensive training both at home station and at Camp Shelby, Miss. Some unit members - part of Detachment 1 out of Aliceville - were able to put that training to use earlier this year. In July, as they traveled home from training at Camp Shelby, they witnessed a church bus from Louisiana blow a tire and overturn directly in front of the unit bus. The unit bus stopped and 47 members of the 2101st assisted accident victims. Many involved believe their actions saved lives. Gov. Bob Riley later recognized these Soldiers in an awards ceremony at the Capitol.

The general public is invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony to show their support for the 2101st soldiers and their families.