The “Big “send-off for the 32nd Brigade was today. It was here in Madison at the Alliant Energy Center so I can’t complain about the location. Actually I wasn’t sure Finley and I were going to make it till just this morning. Nate’s dad also came to the ceremony. It was pretty impressive to see 3200 soldiers in uniform filling the entire Coliseum floor. This is the largest deployment of Wisconsin National Guard troops since WWII. All the politicians and high ranking military staff were there to speak making it longggg. It was quite a sight though. Trying to find Nate in that group was impossible though we were texting back and forth of where he was. We did get a quick hello in as the soldiers headed out after the ceremony back their buses. Yes, though we live 10 minutes away from the Alliant, Nate had to drive the almost 2 hours up to Camp Douglas just to turn around and ride a bus back to Madison for the ceremony. You have got to love the Army. Nate will hopefully be able to spend all of Thursday and Friday with us and Saturday is the dreaded day. We have to head up to Camp Douglas, have yet another send off ceremony just for his unit and that’s it. We send our soldier off to Texas and then Iraq. You could say I am not looking forward to the weekend! Here are some shots from the ceremony today.
That’s a lot of soldiers!
See why we couldn’t find Nate?
The Stage and all the Politicians and Generals…
From where we were watching
Waving his Flag (I was certain he was going to poke his eye out!)
Waving for Grandpa Greg
Obviously Mr. Smiles doesn’t know we are here because his daddy is going away for a year
Hanging out… this ceremony was LONG!
Nate & Erin, we loved seeing the sixth month photos and all the other family pictures. Our favorites are the one with the blue blankie and the family portrait. Mom & Dad just spoke on the phone of your special visit to Appleton and it sure was great seeing those photos. However, seeing the send-off pictures and knowing that it means 3200 families are having to say good-bye, really saddens me. I wish there was something that we could say or do to help you thru this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Aunt Marcia & Uncle Bob
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