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SALT LAKE CITY — More than 120 Army Reserve Soldiers with the 420th Military Police Company will be deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Friends and family said goodbye to their loved ones at a departure ceremony on Monday.
"I think as a parent you want to make sure your child is safe all the time and protect them from harm," said Lori Johnson, mother of soldier.
"It's a tough time, from us taking care of him to him going out and taking care of our country," said Ryan Johnson, father of soldier.
For the next year they'll be patrolling a prison in Guantanamo. Before their departure, they'll spend several weeks at Fort Bliss in Texas.
"I don't know if there's a right or wrong way of preparing for it other than spending time with the ones you love," said Private Alex Johnson, 420th Military Police Company.
"It's a chance for us to serve America the way we're called," said Sergeant Steve Pyper, 420th Military Police Company.