We can all surely agree on the importance of letting our servicemen and women know that we appreciate their sacrifices and support them while they are overseas.

We recognize Veteran’s Day each year, and many people take part in projects that include sending gifts from home to soldiers stationed in foreign countries.

It’s not often, though, that we as a community have the opportunity to thank soldiers before they make the trip.

The Alabama Army National Guard’s 1156th Military Police Detachment (Criminal Investigation Unit) out of Clanton has been called to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a departure ceremony will be held at Fort Ivan Smith, 406 Airport Road, at 2 p.m. Friday, March 19.

The general public is invited and to attend the ceremony, according to a press release, to show support for the soldiers and their families.

We encourage all local residents that can make it out to the ceremony to do so. It’s not asking too much of us to give our soldiers a little of our time when they are giving us so much.