Top Iowa politicians were among the dozens Sunday to bid farewell to a crop of soldiers headed from Iowa to the Middle East.

More than 200 civilians gathered at Des Moines' Lincoln High School for the late-morning sendoff. About 250 Army Reserve men and women — roughly 100 of whom are Iowans — will be deployed, said Capt. Elizabeth Ohloff, who helped coordinate the ceremony.

U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst were on-hand for the event. Ernst, a military veteran and Republican from Red Oak, thanked the camouflage-clad soldiers for "stepping up and taking on the assumed risk."

"I want to thank you for your extraordinary leadership," she said. "It's not about rank — you can be a specialist and you can be a leader. Thank you for leading for the good of all people."

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Grassley, R-New Hartford, said since only 1 to 2 percent of the U.S. population is a part of the military, it is up to the remaining 98 percent to provide support for service members and their families.

Army Reserve soldiers from the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command's headquarters unit based in Des Moines have been called to one year of active duty to support logistical missions with three operations in the Middle East, according to a Reserve news release. The last time the 103rd ESC deployed was in 2010 and 2011 to Iraq.

The soldiers are deploying as part of Operation Enduring Freedom's Operation Spartan Shield, but will also be providing support to operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom Sentinel, Ohloff said Sunday.

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Community members are encouraged to support the troops Monday by lining up along East Army Post Road between Fort Des Moines and the Des Moines International Airport. One busload of soldiers will depart at about 11:30 a.m., and the other at about 5:30 p.m.

"We wish you Godspeed and a safe return. Thank you for your service, and let's hope that we all appreciate the sacrifice of those who serve," Grassley said. "God bless."

Previous reporting from the Register's Anna Spoerre contributed to this story.

Tyler Davis is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.