Joseph Ralph, of Vergennes, Ill., hugs Ben Farmer, of Johnston City, Ill., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. “There’s an emotional factor about everything but I’m excited to be deploying and going to be part of something bigger than myself,” Ralph said. “This is an unmatched feeling — there’s nothing else like it.”
Members of the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment stand at attention on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, during a deployment ceremony at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of “Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.” Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comHundreds fill into the Banterra Center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, during a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of “Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.” Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comCalvin Marshall, center, of Desoto, Ill., turns and smiles to Trenton Byrd, of Harrisburg, while their commander is introduced on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, during a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comGov. JB Pritzker gives opening remarks on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, during a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comCalvin Marshall, center, of Desoto, Ill., yells out “Blackhawk” on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, at the end a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of “Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.” Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comMembers of the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment listen to dignitaries speak on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, during a deployment ceremony at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comJoseph Ralph, of Vergennes, Ill., hugs Ben Farmer, of Johnston City, Ill., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. “There’s an emotional factor about everything but I’m excited to be deploying and going to be part of something bigger than myself,” Ralph said. “This is an unmatched feeling — there’s nothing else like it.” Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comKenneth Craig, 21, of Charleston, Ill., hugs his cousin Katie Bell, 22, of Windsor, Ill., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of “Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.” Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.comSpecialist John Schuette, 27, of Effingham, Ill., hugs his son Jameson, 3, while he gets emotional on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of “Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.” Photo by Brian Munoz, info@brianmmunoz.com
