The celebration to welcome home the Missouri National Guard 220th Engineer Company from Afghanistan is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6), a spokesman for the company said Wednesday (Dec. 3).
It is open to family members, friends and the community at large and will be held at the Jefferson College Field House, 1000 Viking Drive, in Hillsboro. There is no charge to attend and doors open at 2 p.m., Sgt. Christopher Moore reported.
A story in this week’s (Dec. 4) Leader announces the celebration, but the start time was not known by the paper’s deadline on Tuesday (Dec. 2).
Moore said the company is scheduled to fly to St. Louis Saturday. The 220th arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, just before Thanksgiving, after completing its overseas mission.
The 220th, based at the Festus Armory, mobilized April 23 and deployed to Afghanistan. The company’s mission included the closure or transfer of Forward Operating Bases Pasab, Mascall, Camp Leatherneck and Shinand Air Force Base. The unit also helped with the deconstruction of several other bases. Its 162 members include 30 from Jefferson County.
“The hard work of every soldier has brought us to mission success,” said Capt. Michael Paluczak, the company commander. “They completed tasks ahead of schedule and above the standard.”
For more information, call the Festus Armory at 636-937-8255.