NAPPANEE ― A Nappanee doctor spent his last day in his office Friday with a full schedule of treating patients. For six months, he will stop helping local patients at his practice in order to assist soldiers overseas in Iraq.

The Halloween decorations in this family clinic mark the season, but it's also telling of something else.

"We're going to miss him," said Deedee Beck, nurse for the Nappanee medical office. "You're proud of him. You can't help to be proud of him."

It is just one of many holidays Beck will spend without her right hand man, Doctor Fred Schlorke.

"He's a big part of my day," Beck said. "And that's what makes me want to come to work."

Schlorke will begin a six month leave of absence next week to go overseas to an undetermined location in Iraq.

He will serve as a medical officer for a soldier clinic there.

"I just think if we have young men and women who get shot up and die for their country, it's the least I can do the help them," said Schlorke.

The decision to do more was easy for the doctor.

"9/11 happened and that made my military career a little busier than what I thought it would be," Schlorke said.

However, leaving his practice behind and saying goodbye to patients, co-workers, friends and family has not gotten any easier.

"It is tough," said Schlorke. "Most everyone is understanding, but this is what I have to do."

It is a road Dr. Schlorke has been down before. He spent time in Fort Hood, Texas in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2003.

While he is all smiles in photographs of his time overseas, he saw his share of the realities of war.

"Unfortunately, I've seen people blown up, and people who don't make it and people who do," said Schlorke. "When I was in Afghanistan we averaged one landmine injury a day."

But it is something he tries not to think about during his last day in the office. For most of the afternoon, Schlorke treated patients.

Unsure of what to expect during his first visit to Iraq, Doctor Schlorke can count on TWO things: A supportive family and co-workers who will be counting down the holidays until his return.

Dr.Schlorke will spend this coming week with friends and family before departing to Fort Benning a week from Satruday. From there, he'll be deployed to Iraq until March. His patients will see other doctors in his practice.