Farewell as Guard deploys for next year

BRADFORD—In an atmosphere charged with anticipation, the Bradford Armory was abuzz with chatter, tears and hugs on Saturday as Vermont National Guard soldiers departed for a year-long deployment abroad.
Approximately 80 soldiers were given the big send-off by well-wishers at the armory and beyond. Flags, horns and sirens, balloons and “thank you” signs and banners enlivened Main Street and the Lower Plain as scores of people from throughout the area turned out to support the Guard members and their families.
The National Guard unit of Bradford will be part of Task Force Avalanche within Operation Spartan Shield, a U.S. Department of Defense operation in the U.S. Central Command.