Hundreds of Michigan National Guard members are leaving home for tours of duty in the war in Afghanistan.
The Michigan National Guard says 1,200 of its soldiers leave this week for Camp Shelby, Miss., in preparation for duty in Afghanistan's Konduz province.
A departure ceremony was held Monday night at Grand Blanc High School for the Headquarters Company of the 125th Infantry.
Family and friends packed the gym cheering and clapping as members of the Michigan National Guard marched into the room but hearts were heavy.
"I'm sad. I want his safe return. It's going to be hard for him to be away from all of us," said Clio resident Sheila Clark. This will be her husband's first deployment to the Middle East.
"We're going to go over there and do a good job and do the right thing and help these people and hopefully make a positive imprint in their world," said Sheila's husband, Sgt. Ryan Clark.
Sheila and Sgt. Clark were married a less than a year ago and will celebrate their first annivesary apart. They have ten children between the two,including four adopted children.
"I'm sad that I have to go but this is something that I have to do. I just have to be strong for my family and for the guys that are going to serve under me and work hard together and we'll be back you know it," said Sgt Clark.
While Sgt. Clark and his wife prepare for their year long separation so do their children.
"I know he'll be safe because I pray for him every night," said Jason Clark, Sgt. Clark's son.
The Clark's story is just one of many in the crowded gym and as other families give their well wishes to their soldiers, Shiela has only one wish.
"Bless all these troops and their safe return," said Sheila.
Sgt. Clark and the other soldiers will held to Mississippi for several weeks of training and then will head to Afghanistan in January.
Other units were getting farewells at Grand Valley Armory in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming, Dow Diamond in Midland, Big Rapids Armory, and the Detroit Light Guard Armory.
