NDNationalGuard: Early Kosovo

Family, friends pack Fargo Civic to say goodbye to troops bound for Kosovo

 
 
FARGO – Family and friends gathered this morning to nearly fill the Fargo Civic Center and show support for about 300 North Dakota National Guard troops heading to Kosovo for a yearlong peacekeeping mission.
 
Numerous speakers – including state and federal representatives – spoke to the crowd as the soldiers prepare to leave this weekend.
 
The troops are among 700 statewide who will represent North Dakota, which is heading up the multinational force.
"If there is an outfit in the country I'd recommend for this assignment, it'd be the North Dakota National Guard," said Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D.
 
Many speakers, including the mayors of Fargo and Valley City, thanked soldiers for their help during the flood fight.
Chris Jennewen of Grand Forks is getting ready to say goodbye to his wife, Stacy, and sons Tyler, 19, and Cody, 15.
It's Jennewen's second deployment. He served in Iraq for 1½ years in 2004-05.
 
This deployment is a little easier, Jennewen said, because he has a better idea what to expect and his family knows it's a safer mission.
 
But saying goodbye at the armory Saturday before soldiers get on the bus for the airport still will be difficult.
"It hasn't hit until they actually leave," Stacy Jennewen said.

Read more Saturday in The Forum.
 

 
 R @ NDNationalGuard: Early Kosovo send-off coverage/www.inforum.com/event/article/id/249820/