Hard Goodbyes

More cannon fodder ships out from Vermont:

Vermonters bid farewell and good luck to 600 deploying Army National Guard soldiers Friday with tears, lingering embraces, stirring speeches, flag-waving cheers and spontaneous roadside rallies.

The soldiers are embarking on the state's largest deployment in more than half a century, a mission that will take the men and women from their civilian lives to the Middle East to provide security for convoys and at installations such as bases and airports. Including training and debriefing, Guard members will be gone 18 months.

Given the assignment, I expect Vermont to retain its top ranking as having the highest per capita casualty rate in Bush's quagmire.  Alas.

ntodd