(WSBT) Members of Fort Wayne based National Guard Company A are leaving for training at Camp Atterbury Wednesday and then to a deployment in Iraq.

There are 100 men from Warsaw and Peru serving in Company A.

On Monday night, local soldiers and their families were treated to their final dinner in Warsaw before beginning training at Camp Atterbury near Indianapolis. But it was hard for many to enjoy it because their departure was coming shortly.

"This is real. This is what I joined for," said Specialist Tristan Brubaker who joined the Indiana National Guard in 2003, but is being deployed for the first time.

Wednesday morning, he and other Company A soldiers will be putting their civilian lives and relationships on hold.

"[I'm] a newlywed. I'm kinda anxious but my wife is nervous," said Spc. Brubaker.

"It's tough to keep your mind on the task. But it has to be done," said Lieutenant Warren Murphy who is also being deployed for the first time.

But Sergeant Brian Marley is not leaving as many loose ends.

"Sold my business and enlisted," he said. "There's definitely a lot of shock and surprise among family and friends."

But not for his wife who stood by his side when he served in Desert Storm.

"I knew, I knew it was coming. I supported him because I knew it was something he needed to do," said Kerrie Marley, Sgt. Marley's wife.

Company A soldiers enjoyed their last dinner while trying to prepare themselves and their families.

"Leaving my wife and family that has to be one of the hardest things," said Spc. Brubaker who was married five months ago. "Make sure she knows what bills she has to pay. I just have to have her ready for anything."

And they have to prepare themselves to leave behind their children, wives, parents, and siblings.

"It's a little easier knowing there is some time coming up when we can focus on our families again," said Lt. Murphy.

Company A will train at Camp Atterbury for their mission in Iraq, which will involve several jobs including convoy security and force protection.

After training, they will be able to come back home for Christmas and New Years.

On January 2, they'll be deployed to Iraq with more than 4,000 other Indiana soldiers, making it largest Indiana unit deployed since World War II.