Dozens of families gathered at NAS Corpus Christi to say goodbye to members of the 453rd Cargo Transfer Company. The Army Reservists left Monday morning on a bus headed to Houston.

From there, it’s on to Afghanistan. There were last minute pictures and hugs as the reservists boarded the bus. Many of them are leaving family and friends behind, but among the tears there were also smiles. Reservists say they are excited about their mission and about serving the country. For some, it will be their first deployment, for others, a second go around. The hardest part of saying goodbye they say, is having to tell their children to stay strong while mom or dad is away.

Daivd Livas the III said, “I’m a little soldier!” before hugging his father, Daivd Livas. Livas says, “the way i take it, i tell them I’m going to work, it’s easier for them to understand.”

The group will be gone for about a year.

Original article is here