Well, the war in Iraq has made itself felt in Austin now. Austin has largely been immune to the reality of the wartime experience endured by those living in Killeen, Copperas Cove and other towns outside Fort Hood. Given the lack of a military presence (since Bergstrom closed) in Austin, maybe it’s good that the war has finally reached us — to some small extent — in our civilian bubble.

For 800 National Guard members stationed at Camp Mabry in West Austin, Mother’s Day held a mixture of pride and sadness.

On Sunday, the camp held an official send-off ceremony for the soldiers who will be heading to Iraq for a year.

. . .

There are about 1,700 Texas National Guardsmen in Iraq, Meehan said. The addition of the Mabry troops will boost that number to 2,500.

The deployment marks the first time the Austin unit has been sent to a war zone since World War I.

Godspeed to them.