Family members send off Delaware Army National Guard

DOVER, Del. – Hundreds of families and friends gathered at Delaware State University on Saturday to send off their troops who will be deployed to Southwest Asia.

“Deployments are always tough on these soldiers, they’re tough on families, they’re tough on employers as well, and it’s just great for us to be able to say thank you for what you’re doing and we’ve got your back,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper.

It is a message nearly 300 Delaware Army Guardsmen took with them on Saturday as they gear up to head overseas this month.

Some of these troops and their families facing deployment for the first time ever.

“I’ve been gone almost a year before for training, so it’s nothing new to us, but being away for deployment is going to be new, it’s going to be hard, but nothing we can’t overcome,” said Sergeant Brandon Winkler.

In just a few weeks these brave men and women will say goodbye to their loved ones for now. It is something they say will not be an easy task.

“She’s three, so trying to get her to understand that daddy is going to be at work for a long time is hard to do,” said Winkler, a Kent County resident, “I’ve already been at a school for two and a half months in California and then I came back, and I was gone for another week.”

Some of these troops tell 47ABC that a major sacrifice is missing family and the chance to watch them make important accomplishments.

“You’re gonna miss your family, you know birthdays growing up, first-things a lot with your kids, your wife, your spouse that’s your everyday family you know?” said Winkler.

“You take away from it, it’s hard, but you’re also doing something that no one else really wants to do, and so it’s a sacrifice,” said Winkler.

Although troops say it will be hard to say goodbye to their families, they are proud to serve their country.

Many of these troops will provide control and supervision of the battlefield for combatant commanders while overseas.