TIFFIN, Ohio — The Tiffin community showed its appreciation for members of the armed forces on Tuesday. The 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment is heading to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a joint operation to fight ISIL.
WTOL 11 spoke with soldiers and their families and found out how much it means to be called to serve, and how much it means to the community to have their service.
"There's just been an overwhelming amount of support from the community, not just for the soldiers, but also for the families of the deploying soldiers," Capt. Michael Porter said.
An estimated 3,000 people showed up to Tiffin University to support the troops before they shipped off. First Lt. Derrick Arroyo's said seeing the support means a lot on his sixth deployment.
"It tells me that the community supports us," Arroyo said. "There's a lot of families with strong bonds, a lot of love in the room. People are looking forward to sending these soldiers off, and coming back home a better person."
It's the last time many of these soldiers will see their friends and family until next year. Austin Jasso has never been deployed overseas, and has conflicting feelings, but is honored to serve.
"It's very exciting," Jasso said. "There's a lot of different emotions you get because I'm leaving my family. This will probably be the longest I've ever been apart from my family."
And Jasso's family feels the emotions too. His mother Robin is proud of the sacrifice he's decided to make.
"I'm super proud," she said. "We're all super proud of him. I know he'll do great things. He's very important to what he has to do, and what he's going to become."
Jasso's girlfriend, Jordyn Musi, is also in the military. While she's in the states, she understands the opportunity he has in front of him.
"It's going to be hard being away from him for that long but it's going to be the opportunity of a lifetime, and I'm super excited for him," Musi said. "It's going to be a great opportunity."
The battalion will ship off soon, and begin their tour of duty. They are expected to return to the U.S. in about a year.