Members of 81st Brigade are off to serve again

AUBURN — In a more than a dozen farewell ceremonies across the state, some 2,400 Washington National Guard soldiers of the 81st Brigade Combat Team began a year of active duty Tuesday that will take them to Wisconsin for final training, and then to Iraq.

One of the largest was in Auburn, where more than 700 soldiers gathered in a park for goodbyes from families and state politicians.

"My husband, Mike, served in Vietnam, and he came home to a nation that was not necessarily extending a welcome mat," said Gov. Christine Gregoire. "... We want you to know that we will be there every day thinking of you. We are going to be there every day praying for you, and we are going to be here to welcome each and every one of you home safe and secure."

The soldiers are scheduled to depart today for Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, and are expected to arrive between late October and early December in Iraq, where they will serve with some 900 California guard soldiers who also are part of the 81st Brigade.

The 81st Brigade first went to Iraq in March 2004, and was involved in a range of missions that included neighborhood security patrols in Baghdad and other areas. This time around, the brigade is expected to be primarily involved in convoy security, and will practice driving armored Humvees and other escort vehicles in the final weeks of training in Wisconsin.

During the first deployment, soldiers were away from their families for more than a year, including training. This time around, they are scheduled to be back home within 12 months.

Soldiers are taking their own individual equipment to Iraq, and then will take control of escort vehicles that are already in Iraq.

Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com