Baton Rouge, La (NBC33) —
Thirty Baton Rouge soldiers are headed to Afghanistan.

The soldier's got a huge send off ceremony today.

The troops looked ready, but for many this is their first time over- seas.

There are a few veterans in this bunch, and they say its nice to be able to say goodbye to their friends and family this way.

"I think this is a wonderful event, whenever I was deployed my last two times we didn't really even have a farewell ceremony as nice as this, where we actually have our family members come by and say bye to us," said Spc. Scott Monistere.