WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Norwich Students Prepare to Deploy

Norwich Students Prepare to Deploy

Northfield, Vermont - November 10, 2009

More than three dozen Norwich University students are preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. It's one of the largest deployments in that school's history. Tuesday those students were honored at a special ceremony.

Private First Class Casey Ashfield will deploy some time next spring.

"My parents are very worried about me going over there," said Ashfield. "My biggest worry would be how I'm going to come back. Am I going to come back with post-traumatic stress disorder which you hear so much about? Or worse, injured?"

Others have children leaving for Afghanistan. General Michael Kelley is the university's Commandant of Cadets. His daughter will also deploy.

"It's much easier if you are told you are going than to see a daughter or son deploy," said Kelley.

Veterans of wars past were also honored at Norwich Tuesday for their service.

"I think it's one of the most meaningful things we do," said Kelley. "I think there are very few Americans who would go through and listen or observe a ceremony like this and not be touched in some emotional way."

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News