More area guardsmen prepare for deployment

A number of local soldiers in the Montana Army National Guard have had to put their civilian lives on hold in order to serve their country overseas.

Among the soldiers who have been called up to serve with a Kalispell-based supply unit are a youth probation officer from Havre and a college student from Rocky Boy.

"The separation from family will be the most difficult (part of being deployed)," said Kevin Buerkle, a sergeant in the National Guard. "I believe they are as supportive as they can be. We prepared for it as best we can, and we'll go from there."

Buerkle said he found out he was going...