People in Arcadia turned out Tuesday to bid farewell to area National Guard troops on their way to Iraq. About one hundred fifty soldiers from the Arcadia National Guard Unit were deployed. They come from all over south Florida – but a good many are from DeSoto County. There was a big send off at the Arcadia National Guard Armory and community support will continue. Sara *Spas works for the DeSoto County School District, grew up in Arcadia and went to school with two of the deployed soldiers. She says the school district supports the troops – many of whom are former students.

"We have decided at the district office every Friday for the month of August – we have designated it red days and what the means is each department encourages its employees to wear red for Fridays in honor and support of the troops."

The 150 soldiers make up part of the 3rd Battalion 116th Field Artillery. A National Guard Spokesman says they’ll spend about two months training in logistics, security and police work at Fort Dix in New Jersey before going to Iraq and Kuwait. Another 150 national guard troops from Plant City National Guard Unit will be deployed in about a week.