Dozens of soldiers from the Illinois National Guard were able to stay home after the army canceled their deployment to Iraq.
About 75 soldiers of the 710th area Support Medical Company in North Riverside were supposed to leave in November for Kuwait, according to a statement from the Illinois National Guard.
But that deployment was halted because of a drawdown of forces in Iraq.
Soldiers who have already put their personal lives, career or education on hold may qualify for a hardship tour.
