Houston Astros honor military service members

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There was a huge honor today for our military service members at Minute Maid Park. The Texas National Guard 136th Expeditionary signal battalion will be deploying to the Middle East for about nine months.

The 300 men and women will be in charge of communications for other deployed units in the region. Today, before the big Astros/Rangers game they and their families were honored.

"It's an opportunity to grow and we all have our own personal goals for when we're over there and it's an awesome opportunity for our family to show their support because that's what's going to keep us going on our down days," said Specialist Sophonie Billings.

"We have to know that support is there, that foundation back here at the house so that way we don't have to worry about those things when we go abroad. If everything is good at home, we can focus on our mission over there," said Sgt. David Castillo.

They will first go to fort hood for additional training before heading to the Middle East.