'We just came to support' Soldiers deploying for Afghanistan get proper sendoff

As the holiday season gets underway, dozens of soldiers across the state of Georgia were deploying today.

Several units will be sent to Afghanistan while others will head to Fort Stewart for more training before they ship out. For many, it will be the first time they have been deployed in nine years.

Channel 2 Action News had a crew of reporters and photographers at five different deployments in metro Atlanta.

Channel 2's Dave Huddleston spoke with Staff Sgt. D'airi Smith, who is being deployed for the first time. Smith is a member of the 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry that is shipping to Afghanistan from Cumming.

"By us going, it keeps the horrors out there from coming back to us. So I'd rather deal with it out there than have my family deal with it over here."

Smith's wife Queshandra told Huddleston that she could not be more proud of her husband for the example he is setting for their children.

As buses passed, people waved and thanked the soldiers for their service.

"We just came to support. It's sad that they have to go back out but we can give them support and for everything they do for us," Hilary Barrett said.

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Family and friends gathered at other sendoffs across metro Atlanta. In Gordon County, 91 soldiers with the 108th Cavalry, 49th Brigade were celebrated.

People lined the streets in Cherokee County to pay respects to the soldiers leaving from the Canton Armory.

For the first time in nine years, the Bravo Company in Coweta County were heading to Fort Stewart before shipping out.

In Griffin, members of Alpha Company 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, 48th Infantry Brigade also were going to Fort Stewart.

A ceremony was held last week for soldiers of the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment in Gwinnett.

Cox Media Group