Photo courtesy of Erica Boulware Williams Staff Sgt Keith Williams of the 1-118th headquarters company in Union says goodbye to his three-year-old daughter, Aly, before deploying to Kosovo. Williams was of a number of local national guardsmen who are being deployed to the southeast European country as part of a peacekeeping mission.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott The members of the HHC 1-118th CAB, Co. C 1-118th CAB, and Co. D 118th CAB march into the gym at Union County High School for a ceremony honoring them as they prepare to be deployed to Kosovo.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott Soldiers and civilians alike salute the American flag during Saturday's deployment ceremony at Union County High School.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott Some of the national guardsmen being deployed to Kosovo salute the American flag during the deployment ceremony in the Union County High School gym.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott All attending Saturday's deployment ceremony bow their head in prayer.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott Lt. Col. Robert Carruthers, commander, 1st Battalion, 118th Regiment, speaks during Saturday's deployment ceremony at Union County High School.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott Bagpipes were played during the deployment ceremony.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott CSM Doug Gilliam speaks to some of his fellow national guardsmen during the deployment ceremony.

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Photo courtesy of Kristy Scott SPC Clyde Scott points something during the ceremony at the UCHS gym.

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Some of the 500 South Carolina national guardsmen being deployed to southeastern Europe on a peacekeeping mission were honored Saturday during a ceremony held at Union County High School.

The members of the HHC 1-118th CAB, Co. C 1-118th CAB, and Co. D 118th CAB units of the South Carolina National Guard marched into the gym at Union County High School for a deployment ceremony. The units, whose ranks include a number of Union County residents, are among 500 South Carolina guardsmen who, along with guardsmen from nine other states, are being deployed to the southeast European country of Kosovo in support of NATO peacekeeping efforts. The three units honored Saturday along with the others being deployed with them, will provide command for Multinational Battle Group East in Kosovo, conduct peace enforcement operations and ensure a safe environment and freedom of movement throughout the Area of Operations, in order to transfer all responsibilities and authority to the government of Kosovo.

Saturday’s ceremony included an address by Lt. Col. Robert Carruthers, commander, 1st Battalion, 118the Regiment who praised the men and women under his command and their counterparts throughout the armed forces for their willingness to give back to their country.

Before being deployed to Kosovo, the guardsmen will undergoing training in Indiana and Germany.

A deployment ceremony was also held in Gaffney on Saturday.