ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Friends and family of the men and women of the Florida National Guard's 3153rd Finance Detachment said goodbye in a ceremony Monday morning. The 23 citizen soldiers leave soon for training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, then leave in November for a year in Iraq.

Spc. LaRhonda McKay teared up at the thought of life for a year away from her family.

"I kind of already know what to expect -- I've been before," McKay said. "It doesn't make it easier."

McKay's sister, Tulani Honablew, is equally concerned knowing that her sister will be in a war zone.

While the unit's primary duty is handling paychecks and other financial support services, Honablew is nervous at the thought of her being in a war zone.

"Anything could happen. I mean, you know, it's Iraq," Honablew said.

Sgt. 1st Class Ray Metych, who is leaving a wife and three children at home, said he is more concerned about his family.

"We have a mission we're trained for," Metych said. "It's the families that have the hardest part."