Prattville Alabama National Guard Unit Returns from Deployment

MONTGOMERY, AL (03/01/2016)(readMedia)-- Prattville based Guard unit returns

Release #2016030101

The Alabama National Guard will welcome home the Soldiers of the 217th Military Police Company, out of Prattville, at 7:00 p.m., March 4, at the Doster Memorial Community Center, 424 S. Northington Street, Prattville, Alabama.

The approximately 110 Alabama Army National Guard Soldiers deployed in May 2015 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom to 21 locations in six different countries across the Middle East.

During their deployment, the Soldiers of the 217th provided customs support to prevent prohibited or illegal items and agricultural pests and diseases from entering the Continental United States and to protect the Home Land. The unit cleared approximately 30,000 personnel and over 10.7 billion dollars in US military equipment.

For their outstanding service, unit personnel were awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, 27 Army Commendation Medals and over 110 Army Achievement Medals. The unit was recommended by their higher command for the Meritorious Unit Citation while in their theater of assignment.

National Guard leadership along with local Prattville officials will participate in the homecoming. Families and the media are encouraged to attend the homecoming. The public is invited to attend but seating priority will be given to the family members of the returning Soldiers.

POC: SSG Ethridge (334) 318-8040

Media please RSVP to Lt. Col. Shannon Hancock at 334-306-4559 or shannon.m.hancock.mil@mail.mil .