COLUMBUS, Neb.- Four Nebraskan National Guardsmen were recognized for their service and sacrifice during a send-off ceremony in Columbus.

Various state and local leaders were in attendance at the ceremony, including Gov. Jim Pillen, Rep. Mike Flood, State Sen. Mike Moser and Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley.

“They’re going and making a difference in Europe and it’s a 10 month deployment which is an extraordinary sacrifice for their families. Then it comes back and helps us get better as well," said Pillen. 

Three of the soldiers are members of the Columbus-based 755th Engineer Fire Fighting Detachment, while the fourth is from the Hastings-based 281st Firefighting team.

The soldiers are preparing to depart on a 10-month deployment to Europe where they will work with military firefighting teams to provide a variety of firefighting response capabilities at two military air bases in Romania and Bulgaria.

“It’s going to be a big adjustment for all of our families, but as we heard today from the Governor and A-Tag, we have a lot of support from the state and the National Guard so I don’t think there will be an issue with anyone going,” Carroll said.

The two teams include Captain Evan Carroll, Sargent First Class Anthony Jensen, Staff Sargent Brandon Schu, and Specialist Eli Menace.