| 11 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago Troop deployment takes toll on local businesses
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(NECN: Anya Huneke, Richford, VT) - The Vermont National Guard has been notified that almost 2,000 of its troops could be deployed in 2010, which comes as big news for a small state with the highest per capita military membership in the country. The deployment would not only impact families and communities, but businesses, where many Guard members hold civilian jobs.
Even after 19 years as a laborer at Blue Seal Feeds, Gilbert Desautels still loves his job. The mill is in Richford, Vermont, where he was born and raised, as were many of his co-workers, which is why it is tough for him to think about leaving. But, he's done it before and may do it again.
Desautels is a member of the Vermont Army National Guard. He served a 13-month tour of duty in Iraq in 2005 and just received word that he, and up to 1,900 other Vermont Guard members may be sent to Afghanistan in 2010.
Blue Seal, he says, has always been supportive of his responsibilities to the National Guard, but still, he feels torn at times between the two.
Blue Seal currently employs four Guard members, including Josh Waterhouse and Jason Fusco -- and knows it will have to make some adjustments if they are called to active duty.
Plant manager Paul Field worries about the impacts of a deployment, but not so much on the company. He's concerned for the individuals and their families.
But, Desautels says he is prepared to go at any time if duty calls.
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