Family members and Soldiers of Georgia’s 878th Engineer Battalion, who haven’t seen each other since the unit deployed June 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, will be getting together through the wonders of video teleconferencing.

Some 75 families are expected to gather in early morning this Saturday at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia to spend a precious 15 minutes, hopefully more, each with their Soldier. Joining them will be Brig. Gen. Terrell Reddick, deputy commander Georgia Army National Guard, state representatives Greg Morris and Tommie Williams and Catheryne T. Meehan, Southeastern’s president.

General Reddick and the other special guests are expected to talk with the 878th’s commander, Lt. Col. John Heath, when the teleconference begins and with other members of the unit.

"Our Soldiers have missed holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and any number of other special days in their family’s lives," said Buddy Lockhart, whose been manning the 878th’s headquarters in Augusta since before the unit left home. "This opportunity to see their loved ones will allow our Soldiers to be with them, even if it is only for a few moments on a television screen."

The 878th is expected to return sometime in June, first to Fort Stewart then to its armories in Augusta, Swainsboro, Sandersville, Lyons and Metter.