Nov 29, 2009 6:02 pm US/Eastern
National Guard Troops March In Quincy Parade
QUINCY (WBZ) ―
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The soldiers are with Company G - 186th Support Battalion. They will be deployed in January.
WBZ
The holiday spirit filled the air in Quincy on Sunday with the city's 57th annual Christmas Parade.
But snowmen and Santa's elves weren't the only attractions. This year, some local National Guard troops marched in the parade -- a first for Quincy.
The soldiers are with Company G - 186th Support Battalion. They will be deployed in January.
Quincy Native Sgt. Joseph Zero remembers marching here as a Boy Scout. "I'm proud they asked us to be a part of it… (I'm) not scared. It's what we train for, whatever the mission is."
The parade sendoff was suggested by Ginger Betty -- a business owner who also runs a charity to help the families of local troops. "I think they're a big part of the holiday season."
Spectators of the parade are saddened the troops have to leave their families. And many are hoping President Obama will talk exit strategy in his speech on Tuesday.
"Hope to have them come home soon," said one spectator at the parade. "I can see both sides. (But) in the end, they're someone's son or daughter."
The group will head to Indiana on Jan. 4 for some training. Several weeks after that, they'll be deployed to Afghanistan.
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