While the nation marks Veterans Day this Friday, more than 160 Army reservists from Orangeburg will say goodbye to their loved ones before being deployed to Afghanistan.

Sgt. Alexander McKenna has been deployed before, but he says this time it's likely going to be harder since he now has a wife and baby boy.

While the soldiers are getting ready to part from their families for a year, they say they are also trying to stay focused on the missions ahead.

Spc. Weston Powell says they have been training hard, and he's confident in his team of soldiers.

The servicemen and women from the Orangeburg Army Reservist Center will be deploying to Afghanistan following President Barack Obama's announcement that all of the troops serving in Iraq will be heading home soon.