(WSBT) People are packing up and hitting the road for the holiday weekend, but this Memorial Day has a different tone for others. Some local military families are preparing to say goodbye.

Members of the Indiana National Guard's Company F received their call up orders. And they only have a couple weeks to prepare before they ship out for training, and then to Iraq.

They were put on alert last October then they were activated earlier this month. And Thursday they found out their individual missions that involve perimeter security in Iraq.

The guardsman wouldn't go on camera but say it's happening very quickly and they don't have that much time to prepare.

Preparing families to send off their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters is never easy.

“It's mixed emotions. It's hard to say goodbye,” one Shelbyville Guardsman said.

Earlier this month, Shelbyville families wiped away tears as they wished their loved national guardsmen well.

This is what Company F families will go through next week when they send off their loved ones for a year long tour in Iraq.

“This is not easy for a soldier and their families. Plans have been delayed or cancelled, dreams are being postponed,” Maj. Gen. Richard Morehead said to the unit earlier this month.

The Indiana National Guard is still working out the details about company F's deployment.

They're expected to leave for Ft. Dix, N.J., next Saturday where they will train for a few months before they're deployed to Iraq.