FAIRMONT - Local troops will march through Fairmont on Sunday in a parade in their honor, giving the community a chance to show support and say good-bye before the 34th Infantry Red Bull Division heads overseas to Kuwait.
About 130 area Guardsmen and women will be recognized that day, in what is sure to be an emotional sendoff. This will be the unit's third deployment in eight years.
The parade is important to these men and women, "because they know their family will be taken care of since they know their community is behind them," said Ken Craig, with the Martin County Citizens Committee.
The sendoff is being organized by the Citizens Committee and Martin County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
"We are hoping the streets of Blue Earth and Lake avenues are going to be lined with people at the parade wearing red 'Support the Troop' shirts and showing their love and support," said Tam Plumhoff, with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
The parade begins noon Sunday at Five Lakes Centre and will travel west down Blue Earth Avenue, past the courthouse, until it ends by the Lake Sisseton Saloon on Lake Avenue. The National Guard Armory parking lot will be reserved strictly for troop families.
The procession will begin with the color guards from local American Legion and VFW posts, followed by a drum corps from Jackson. Veterans unable to walk the route will ride on VFW and Legion floats. Next in the lineup will be Fairmont Area Schools Marching Band, with fire trucks from Jackson and Martin County behind them. Last will be the unit itself.
"I spent 22 years in the National Guard, 20 years on active duty,"Craig said. "This is something very special to me."
The send-off ends for the public with the parade, but for the troops and their loved ones, a meal will be provided at the Martin County Fairgrounds.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon has taken the lead with organizing the meal, raising money and requesting in-kind donations from the business community.
"We haven't had anybody turn us down," Plumhoff said. "Everyone is so generous in wanting to help. That is the point that is so touching and meaningful."
Two farms are contributing four hogs, and the Pork Producers are donating the grills to cook the patties and their time to cook enough food for 1,200-plus people. The meal will also include dozens of bags of chips - courtesy of Hawkeye Foods - and a whopping 250 pounds of potato salad.
"The numbers started at 600. Then 1st Sgt George Jensen came forward at one of the meetings and said, 'The number has gone up a bit,'" said Plumhoff, laughing.
"Personally, I was excited so many family members will be attending the send-off. When I started thinking about it, really that's only 10 family members per Guardsmen. When I look at it that way, it doesn't seem like a lot of people. ... We are up for serving our military, because they are serving us," she said, noting that the event is personally significant to her, since her son and daughter-in-law have both been deployed numerous times.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is still seeking donations to help with expenses, like the $1,000 it costs to process four hogs.
"It's a pretty expensive deal," Craig said.
To contribute to the event, contact Plumhoff by calling (507) 238-2806 or e-mailing dplumhoff@hotmail.com. Support the Troops shirts are available by contacting Plumhoff or at the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce or the Holiday Inn in Fairmont. The cost for the merchandise starts at $13. The proceeds go to the Martin County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon chapter, which is dedicated to assisting members of all the military branches and their families.