Families send off local soldiers to Afghanistan

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (WSVN) -- Operation Enduring Freedom is deploying nearly two dozen South Florida soldiers to Afghanistan.

The group of 25 left for Camp Shelby, Miss. for training on Monday afternoon from Homestead Armory.

Families, friends, dignitaries and military leaders from the Florida National Guard attended the ceremony. "This is what they train to do, this is what they're supposed to do, and he's always happy to serve, and we always are there for support, and we will always support him, me and my daughter," said Angela Shuman, the wife of one of the soldiers. "We love him and know he'll be back, so we'll just wait for his return."

The soldiers will spend almost a year in Afghanistan and will act as a liaison between U.S. and coalition forces.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)