Local soldiers who are bound for deployment to Iraq in the 1437th Engineering Battalion will return to the area to spend Christmas with their families, in an effort sponsored by the Kewadin Cares campaign of Kewadin Casinos.

The National Guard company left Sault Ste. Marie Friday, November 20, for training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and then deployment to Iraq, and now the troops will return home to see their loved ones once more before they ship out.

Two Kewadin Casino motor coach buses were donated to bring the battalion home. The schedule has buses traveling from Fort McCoy to bring home all members of the 1437th Tuesday, December 22, just in time for Christmas. The buses will take them back after the New Year Saturday, January 2.

The Kewadin Cares program began in 2003 when the casino started partnering with local organizations to raise awareness of programs for United States Armed Forces and veterans. The program has since grown to include holiday giving programs, drinking and driving awareness campaigns and support of organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Kewadin Casinos has five locations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and is owned and operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.