National Guard Send-Off in Le Mars

A large crowd filled the bleachers at the Le Mars Community High School gymnasium Wednesday afternoon for a special send-off for the 45 troops being deployed from the Iowa National Guard Unit, Troop C, based in Le Mars.

Colonel Jason Knueven, encouraged the assembled crowd not to forget the families who have soldiers being deployed.  Colonel Knueven has been deployed five times.

He told KLEM that the soldiers will have some extra stops before shipping out to the Middle East.

Colonel Knueven is from Lester, Iowa and a teacher at West Lyon School.  He serves at State Headquarters in Des Moines.