DOWAGIAC -- Michigan National Guard troops said goodbye to their loved ones. A send-off ceremony was held Sunday for the 70 members of the 126th Cavalry in Dowagiac.

Staff Sgt. Samuel Guritz joined the National Guard 11 years ago. And at 17 years old it was an easy decision to make.

"My dad was in Vietnam at Hamburger Hill. My grandpa was in World War II. I've got a long history of family in the military," he said.

Even with a military background, it's never easy for families to say goodbye to their soldier.

"I'm really choking up inside. It's hard as a mom to let go of our son even though I took 20 years in the Guard myself and I raised him for the Guard. But it's still hard to let go," said Jewel Guritz, Staff Sgt. Guritz's mother.

"It will be hard. I just can't wait until he comes home," said Melissa Guritz, Staff Sgt. Guritz's wife.

For many of these soldiers it will be their first deployment to Iraq.

"There's going to be a lot of emotions flowing through there. I mean, nervousness, excitement, you know sadness of course,” said Staff Sgt. Guritz.

While families will rely on their faith, soldiers like Guritz will depend on their love for our country to help get them through this difficult time.

"Out of this service I just hope I can do my best for my country and serve the people of this great nation," he said.

“I'm just going to be praying to God for his safety and have faith in God that he's going to take care of him for me," his mom said.

After the ceremony a private dinner was held for the soldiers and their families.