EAST GRANBY, CT (WFSB) - Members of the Connecticut National Guard started their one-year journey to the Middle East on Friday morning.

About 200 members of the 102 Infantry unit were sent off from their base in East Granby.

“[They’re] citizen soldiers who raised their right hands to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” said Fran Evon, Major General.

The group boarded a plane to Texas where they’ll spend about one month training.

Then, they will head to about six different countries in the Middle East for defense and security work.

“I see a lot of young kids who are motivated. A lot of kids taking advantage of the tuition waiver in CT. And we have to worry about their families when they go home so that’s their focus when they go overseas,” added Major General Evon.

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