Farewell ceremonies will be held this Saturday to honor the soldiers of the 731st Maintenance Company, North Carolina National Guard, who have been mobilized as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Headquartered in Hickory, with detachments in Newton and Butner, the 731st will report to Ft. Bragg later this month where it will support the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Two farewell ceremonies will be held. The farewell ceremony for the detachment in Butner will take place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 15 in the drill hall of the Butner Armory, 105 Central Avenue, in Butner.

The ceremony recognizing the troops of the Hickory and Newton units will take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Hickory High School auditorium, 1234 3rd Street NE, in Hickory.

Formed in 1993, the 731st Maint. Co. provides repair and service for a wide range of equipment including vehicles, communications devices and small arms. The unit has served previously in state active duty during severe weather crises and in a support role fighting wildfires in Florida. Previous deployments include rotations to Grafenwoehr, Germany for annual training and support of active-duty units in 1995, 1997 and 2001.

Representatives of the media are cordially invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony. Members of the unit will be available for interview.

DIRECTIONS to Hickory High School: From Raleigh take I-40 exit 125, turn right off the ramp (from Asheville, turn left) onto Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. Go approximately 1.2 miles and turn left to Tate Blvd (1st Ave). Turn right onto Hwy 127 North. Turn right at the Checkers restaurant and proceed two blocks to the school.

DIRECTIONS to Butner Armory: From I-85 North, take exit 189 and turn left onto Central Ave. Go approximately .75 miles, cross the railroad tracks and the armory is on the left.