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More National Guard Troops Returning Home
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- About 60 Illinois Army National Guard soldiers are scheduled to return from a one-year mobilization in Afghanistan.

Soldiers from units based in Pontiac, Dixon and Aurora will have welcome ceremonies on Friday.

The units were mobilized in August 2008 to train and mentor the Afghan National Police. They also conducted patrols and security missions alongside police in Afghanistan.

Three soldiers from the units were killed in action during the deployment. They were Sgt. Paul Smith of East Peoria, 1st Lt. Derwin Williams of Glenwood and Spc. Chester Hosford of Ottawa.

The soldiers are part of the largest overseas deployment of the Illinois National Guard since World War II. More units will return later this summer.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
08 12 09 by Newsroom
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