WORCESTER — Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, had a royal sendoff Tuesday morning at the DCU Center.
In a sea of camouflage, the soldiers proudly walked into the convention center in four waves of company. All well-trained and in step with each other, the soldiers are soon deploying to the Middle East in support of Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve.
After the formal ceremony, the convention center transformed into a celebration, with plenty of photo ops filled with warm hugs, proud smiles and loving tears.
Maj. Douglas Patterson of Hudson, formerly Falmouth, who marched into the hall in front, was swarmed by an enthusiastic mob of close friends and family.
Patterson — who is executive officer of the 181st command team and preparing for his third deployment — said he’s happy to be with family now before flying off on his “business trip,” as he put it.
“We’re packed up and ready to go,” Patterson said. “In the last couple of years, we put a lot into training. So we are ready. We are prepared. We’re very proud of the battalion. We’re very proud of the soldiers.”