From 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday come join the troops at the Norwich VFW, which is hosting a pre-deployment celebration featuring a performance by Hidden Icons for local U.S. Army soldiers who are soon heading overseas. Above, father and son: U.S. Army Captain Cody Santiago and VFW Commander Joe Santiago with their family. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

NORWICH - The Norwich VFW Post 2782 is hosting a special pre-deployment celebration on Saturday, October 12, featuring a performance by the band Hidden Icons.

The event, which will run from 7:30 to 11 p.m., is dedicated to supporting the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment from Fort Drum before their deployment.

Norwich Veterans of Foreign VFW Commander of Post 2782 Joe Santiago wants the community to help support the local troops getting ready to head to conflict zones overseas, likely to the Middle East.

More than 20 troops will be at the VFW, many from the same fireteam, “Chosen Fist,” led by U.S. Army Artillery Fire Support Officer, Captain Cody Santiago.

Joe Santiago, his father, has had three different deployments, with 44 months in combat, and total of 28 years of service.

“With that I know what these boys are going into. So I wanted to try to raise as much awareness of this for this community as possible because there hasn't been another unit to be deployed. We haven't adopted a unit so now the post we’re adoptin’ this unit. He is my son.”

Santiago said the entire VFW veterans discussed and supported the event and wanted to do everything they could to help and involve the community.

“We need to make sure we can do something for these guys and make sure we have a full awareness to people wanting to come out and see what the cream of the crop is, what they’re sending over to take care of all of the US interests and everything,” he said.

Captain Cody Santiago said, “I met some really good dudes, friends I will be brothers with for the rest of my life.”

As an artillery officer he said his role was, “The math that gets a round of any caliber to go where you want it to go. Somebody did the math behind that, that's what I did. So, I want to shoot this round it needs to land here. OK, well I need to figure out all the math and gunnery to do that.” His role is also to direct and observe the fire.

“You don’t want to see them get hurt, you don’t want anything to happen to them. You want to take care of them,” he said.

The main goal of the event was not to raise funds but to raise awareness in the community to encourage more involvement with the soldiers. They invited people to meet them, to make friends and even encouraged continuing relationships beyond Saturday’s celebration, saying many welcomed letters and support from home.

Visitors can buy chips to donate, make or make a donation and thank them in person.

Attendees are encouraged to come meet, support, and rock with the troops during this patriotic gathering. A $7 cover charge is required for entry.

A free emergency preparedness class will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at VFW Post 2782, 61 East Main Street, Norwich, New York. The event, part of the New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps, will teach participants how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters, including developing a family emergency plan and assembling emergency supplies. Each attending family will receive a preparedness kit.

Registration is required. To sign up, visit www.prepare.ny.gov. The event is sponsored by Gov. Hochul in conjunction with the New York National Guard and VFW Post 2782.