DRESDEN, TN- Just before Christmas, National Guard members across our region are preparing to head overseas.

Friday morning, 162 members of the 1171st Transportation Unit in Dresden, Tennessee left for a flight to Fort Bliss, Texas for last minute training before a tour in Iraq. They're leaving friends and family behind for a year. Despite that, they're not looking at this as 'goodbye', just 'see you later'.

"Daddy loves you!" Staff Sergeant Walter Hayes told his three-year-old son Friday morning.

Most of the National Guard members with the 1171st Transportation Unit would agree, saying goodbye to those they love is far harder than what they'll face in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Hayes leaves his son, and wife who is expecting their second child in less than a month.

"It's a lot tougher on her. She doesn't know what to expect, everything is real new," Staff Sgt. Hayes said.

He's been overseas before like more than half of the men and women leaving Friday, but this will be Private First Class Kelly Moss's first tour. She knows the danger is real.

"There's the potential to actually be killed," PFC Moss said.

Her family supports her, but they didn't come to say goodbye Friday.

"I asked them not to come, so it would be easier, just to go ahead and go," PFC Moss said.

Other troop's family members couldn't stay away. Their pride was obvious, and so was their pain.

It's a comfort for them to know, though, that these men and women serving are tight knit. They've grown close through training, but their comradery goes deeper than the mission.

"Even in our off time, you know, we spend a lot of time with each other, and our families," Staff Sgt. Hayes said.

After time to give hugs and well wishes it was time to head out, knowing there will be one more visit at Christmas before they head to Iraq for a year.

"It's our honor to serve you!" one member yelled to the crowd of family and friends watching the goodbye ceremony.

He added that it's also an honor to serve their country.

On Sunday, 145 men and women with the 2113th Transportation Company out of Paducah will leave for Camp Shelby, Mississippi before heading overseas to Iraq. There will be a farewell ceremony for the unit at Paducah Tilghman High School at 9:00am.