Parting company

Preparing to depart
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Family members of Marines in Engineer Company C, including, from left, Shannon Bristol, wife of Lance Cpl Brian Bristol, Jen Conrad, wife of Staff Sgt. AJ Conrad and Patti Smith of Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines, watch as the company falls into formation during a meet and greet for the Marines, their loved ones and the commanding officers at the Marine Corps Reserve Center on West Plank Road in Peoria Wednesday afternoon. The company is departing for Camp Lejeune in North Carolina on Friday before heading off to serve a 1-year tour of duty in Iraq. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR