Missouri troops given send-off at ceremonies

WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- Hundreds of residents of this southern Missouri town turned out Monday afternoon to send off the 1138th Military Police Company as it departed for Fort Leonard Wood in preparation for deployment.

First Sgt. Jeff Nichols said the group should spend roughly two to four weeks at Fort Leonard Wood before leaving for an undisclosed location. The company's mission includes guarding prisoners of war.

Mayor Joe Paul Evans presented 1st Sgt. Doyle Franks with a city flag. Evans told Franks he hoped the company would be able to fly it wherever they serve and then bring it home.

Prior to the West Plains ceremony, about 80 members of the company from Springfield took part in a farewell ceremony there before traveling to West Plains for another send-off.

The 1138th served in Panama in 1989, Saudi Arabia in 1991, Kosovo in 1999 and at Fort Leonard Wood last year.