Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic Representative Mike Michaud were among those in Lewiston this morning at a rally held in honor of the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion and 1035th Survey and Design Team.
"I couldn't be happier to have the brave men and women of the 133rd back home after a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan" said Michaud, " I'm honored to join in today's ceremony and thank the members of the 133rd and their families for their incredible sacrifices. The freedom we enjoy today is a direct result of those sacrifices."
Sunday's Freedom Salute was a public event held at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.
The Army National Guard describes the Freedom Salute program as a largely volunteer-driven campaign to acknowledge Army Guard Soldiers, and those who supported them throughout their tours of duty in the Middle East. Volunteers arrange public rallies and invite dignitaries and speakers to take part.
The 133rd Engineer Battalion was mobilized a year ago as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Its final members returned to Maine in July.
