July 15: Kosovo deployment send-off ceremony at Austin Armory

The Rochester Post Bulletin reports on two siblings who will deploy together when their National Guard unit leaves for training, then Kosovo:

Mark and Stephanie Erickson share more than just blood. They share a mission.

The brother and sister, children of Larry and Sherri Erickson of Austin, are both part of Company F, 334th Brigade Support Battalion of the 135th Infantry, 2nd Battalion. They will depart from home on July 18 for a mission in Kosovo, along with about 88 other troops from across southern Minnesota. They are scheduled to arrive in Kosovo in October or November, following three months of training.

Mark, 21, says he's ready to go. Stephanie, 19, says she is a little more hesitant because she has never been away from home for such a long time.

Area residents can show their appreciate by attending a send-off ceremony on July 15:

The community is invited to attend the deployment ceremony on July 15 at the Austin Armory, where U.S. Rep. Tim Walz will speak. Former Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz will serve as the master of ceremony.

"It's a nice way to prepare everybody for the departure and for the community to say good-bye and thank you," said Teri Wermager, coordinator of the Family Readiness support group. "That's how the community can show their support."

Go & Do

What: Deployment send-off ceremony.

When: 6 p.m. July 15.

Where: Austin Armory, 800 21st St. N.E.

Congressman Walz, who served for 24 years in the Army National Guard, led the successful fight to retain combat status for the Kosovo mission.