FAIRHOPE, Ala. – Local citizens have a chance to show their support of the 170 troops of the 1165th Military Police Co. prior to their deployment to Afghanistan early next year, during a Jan. 3 ceremony at the Fairhope Civic Center.

“We want to give these men and women a hearty send-off, like we did in 2003,” said Joe Birindelli, chairman of Citizens for Local Troop Support Committee. “We are hoping that folks at work that day will again line the convoy route along U.S. 98 and wave goodbye to the troops.”

Hosted by the troop support committee, the city of Fairhope and the Alabama National Guard, the event will feature patriotic music by the Fairhope High School band and departing words from local dignitaries and military officials.

Based at Ft. Riel National Guard Armory in Fairhope, the 1165th deployed to Iraq in 2003 for 14 months. During that time, 12 troops were injured and one member, Spc. Christopher Taylor of Daphne, was killed.

For the manner in which they accomplished their mission in Iraq, the National Guard Unit later received the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award a unit can receive.

Following the farewell ceremony, the unit will depart for Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Miss., prior to leaving U.S. soil. The four buses and a truck will be escorted by local police units, Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard.

The farewell ceremony is scheduled for noon Monday, Jan. 3, with additional details about the event to be announced soon. For more information, contact Birindelli at 928-3292.