ROCKPORT — Eighty-two military service members were honored for their recent deployments overseas during a freedom salute ceremony at the Samoset Resort in Rockport April 5.

Gov Paul R. LePage joined Brigadier General James D. Campbell, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management in publically recognizing the soldiers, families, employers and friends that have supported the soldiers throughout the deployment.

The soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment and the 1968th Contingency Contracting Team returned to Maine in January, according to a press release.

The 126th Aviation Regiment served a year overseas as a medical evacuation helicopter unit. During the deployment, the unit assumed the aero medical evacuation mission for Kuwait from the U.S. Navy and flew more than 1,200 missions and completed 43 medical evacuation missions.

The 1968th Contingency Contracting Team deployed to Afghanistan last year in March in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their tour, the 1968th CCT performed various functions under the U.S. Central Command's Joint Theater Support Contingency Contracting Command, according to the release, including assisting with providing contracting support to the service members throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Operating out of camps Heart, Salerno and Shank in Afghanistan, and Camp Doha, Qatar, the 1968th CCT oversaw the execution of more than 400 contracts in excess of $30 million dollars, which provided the units in the field with supplies and services that were necessary to accomplish the mission," said the release.

During Friday's ceremony, the soldiers were reminded of the state's appreciation for their service and the selfless sacrifice an entire family makes when a soldier is deployed, among other things.

"This evening we are here to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of your deployment as well as the sacrifice of those who have supported you at home," LePage said. "Although I can never give you all the appreciation you deserve it is important you know how important your service is to our state and nation. Maine is proud of you and I am proud you."

The 126th Aviation Regiment is stationed in Bangor and the 1968th CCT is stationed in Augusta.

"The men and women in the Maine National Guard are some of the most ready and equipped I have ever seen," said Campbell. "Your two units here today are among the best in the country and you should all stand tall and proud to be a part of it."

• To view more photos from Friday's Freedom Salute in Rockport, visit the Maine Army National Guard's public photo gallery on Flickr.

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Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.