By Amanda Nalley / Tallahassee Democrat

“Any load, any where. Drive it like you stole it,” shouted the 67 men and women of the Florida Army National Guard 144th Transportation Company of Marianna before being released for lunch during a deployment ceremony Sunday at the Max L. Thomas National Guard Armory in Marianna.

The group will be combined with the 1218th Transportation Company out of West Palm Beach, with 114 soldiers deploying, as well as several other smaller units from around Florida.

Together, they are the Composite Rough Terrain Heavy-Medium Truck Company.

“We are going to drive everything with wheels on it from point A to B,” said 1st Lt. Scott Peterson, commander of both units while overseas.

Even though their yearlong deployment officially started Sunday, the group doesn’t leave Marianna until Wednesday. From here it will head to Camp Atterbury, Ind., for a month of final training before heading overseas.

Several members of the 144th have been overseas before when the unit was deployed the summer of 2005. The unit provided convoy security for vehicles moving troops and supplies in Iraq. Two soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained and 14 soldiers were awarded the Bronze Star, awarded for heroism or meritorious achievement.

“It’s a lot harder this time,” said Staff Sgt. Titus Godwin, who deployed with the 114th in 2005 before the birth of his 2-year-old daughter Jeanette. “If something happens to me, I am leaving something behind.”

“Right when everything is settling in and is good, now he has to go,” Yvonne, Godwin’s wife, said. The pair just purchased a home in Quincy on Friday. “What do I say when she says where is daddy? How do I explain that?”

“We know when your soldiers leaves, there is a hole in your life you can’t fill,” said Army National Guard Assistant Adjuntant General Mike Fleming, who spoke at the ceremony. “Our job back here is to make sure your family is fully supported,” he said, urging family members to contact their local Family Readiness representative through the unit.

The 144th is also a part of the 779th Engineering Battalion, which began its year-long deployment May 26. It is finishing up training at Ft. McCoy, Wis. and should head to Kuwait, their jump-off point for Iraq, in about two weeks.