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Homecomings, generally, in times of war are joyous occasions. So it is of late with the return of the Cedar City based 222nd Field Artillery Battalion of the Utah National Guard - the Triple Deuce - after an 18-month deployment to Iraq.
Like the Triple Deuce, various other Utah-based National Guard and Army Reserve units have also been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We honor all of them for their dedicated service and express ongoing support for their families during difficult times of separation.
However, we single out the Triple Deuce today because of the impact the unit's deployment had on the Southern Utah communities the soldiers call home.
While headquartered in Cedar City, batteries of the Triple Deuce are stationed in Beaver, Richfield and St. George. Many of the 475 Battalion members come from surrounding small towns, where their absence was deeply felt. In many ways, the call-up of the Triple Deuce dramatically and disproportionately impacted life throughout Southern Utah. And now they are home safe and sound.
KSL joins in the acknowledgement of their commendable service in a very dangerous war zone. We thank them for the job they did, and along with their families and neighbors, we share in the joy of their safe return.
