SALT LAKE CITY -- A group of army reserve soldiers deployed Monday for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but not before they said one last goodbye to their friends and family.
The 420th Army Reserve Military Police Company had lunch together at the Army Reserve Center, 5290 W. 700 South, as one big family before they left for the airport.
“We have to leave and it's hard but we know what we have to do, it's not going to be forever,” said Cpl. Heather Miles. “We will be back eventually, and that will be bittersweet because we've been gone and missed a lot, but it will be good because we know our mission and we are doing it for their family.”
The specialized group of soldiers will police the military base in Guantanamo Bay.
“It's a combination of excitement to actually go out and do something and anxiety to leave them here behind,” said PFC Gary Harris.
For the families it's hard to think this is only the first day of their deployment, but it’s one day down, 399 to go.
