Oklahoma National Guard Members Depart For Kosovo

About 50 members of the Oklahoma National Guard are on their way to southeastern Europe.

The guard had a special deployment ceremony on Saturday as members prepared for the trip to Kosovo a country just to the south of Serbia.

Family and friends were there to say goodbye.

"It's definitely a hard time today leaving loved ones and friends and family but we all serve a greater purpose, a higher purpose, and it's just a little sacrifice we have to make in order to do what we need to do," said Capt. Jimmy Norvell with the National Guard.

The U.S. Military has had troops stationed in Kosovo to help keep the peace there for more than 20 years.

Oklahoma members will also be traveling with other unites from Louisiana and Iowa.