EAA hosts 1157th send-off ceremony

OSHKOSH - A special send-off ceremony was held at EAA in Oshkosh on Saturday morning for some local soldiers who will soon be deployed to Afghanistan.

Soldiers with the Oshkosh-based 1157th Transportation  Company were originally heading to Kuwait and just last week learned they now will be deployed to Afghanistan.

It was morning to honor the men and women serving our country.  A send-off ceremony was held for 131 soldiers with the Oshkosh-based 1157th Transportation Company. 

The group will soon be deployed to Afghanistan.  Saturday morning friends and family packed the Eagle Hangar at EAA to wish them well. 

Sgt. Ben Woodward is 22-years-old, a U-W Oshkosh student and has been apart of the 1157th for three-years.  He joined the army to help pay for school but also to serve his country.  This will be his first time overseas.

"You just got to remember it could always be worse.  You're here to do a job," Sgt. Woodward said.

Woodward's family was attended the ceremony to honor him.

"We're praying for him and we're very proud of him and we're hoping for a safe return for everyone," Ron Woodward, Ben's father said.

"I love my big brother!" Casey Woodward said.

SSG Rena Matty is also apart of the group being deployed.  She's a single mom with two young boys.  She says it will be hard to leave her family but knows they will be in good hands.

"It'll be difficult but I know that I have strong family support and that's the main part - I'm lucky I have that." SSG Matty said.

This mission will be a test for everyone.

"I miss her and I don't want her to go..." Brett Nygren, Rena's son said.

The ceremony wasn't a chance for people to say "good-bye" to these soldiers.  It was a chance for people to say, good luck and God bless.