Day of the Deployed | Video

Kristin Clouston | 10/26/2012

It`s been just years since Shelle Michaels Aberle approached then governor Hoeven in supporting those serving away from home. He was the first governor to proclaim "Day of the Deployed" and it`s now recognized in more than 40 states and on a national level. Today North Dakota broadcast it`s ceremony live to service members across the state and overseas.

"A soldier overseas or getting ready to deploy like I was last year, stuff like this, it`s not so much about getting something for what you do, but just knowing people care about you and they`re thinking about you on a special day like today," said Spc Brandon Carrigan who returned from Kosovo.

"Everybody`s busy. We run around town, we take our kids to different events, we go to the grocery store, we rush to work, we do whatever. It`s easy for us to sometimes forget about those that are deployed somewhere in the world putting their lives on the line," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk Adjutant General for the ND National Guard.

"We just can`t say enough about all you do for us, both you and your families and we will never take it for granted," said Senator John Hoeven.

"Oh it helps immensely to feel the camaraderie and the hope that we all want to give to these people over there," said Ruby Jacobson, who has a grandson serving in Afghanistan.

"It`s important we continue to keep our soldiers, our airmen, our marines and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Whenever you see a service member in uniform thank them for their service. Chances are they deployed somewhere in their career," Sprynczynatyk said.

"We have important days like Veterans Day and Memorial Day but the truth is we need to say a prayer every day for those that serve," Hoeven said.

About 30 Soldiers with the North Dakota Army National Guard`s 191st Military Police Company will have a send off ceremony tomorrow in Fargo. They will be deployed to Guantanamo Bay Cuba for the next year.

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