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Hundreds gathered Thursday night to honor 40 real-life heroes and wish them well on their mission.

The 1133rd and 1168th Transportation Company of the Iowa Army National Guard held a sendoff ceremony at Babe Harder Gymnasium on the Marshalltown Community College campus.

The group of men and women will report to Fort Bliss, Tex., then make their way to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism

"I'm super proud," said Craig Lovig of Clemons, whose son Justin was among those soldiers. "He loves his country and definitely knows the right thing to do is serve your country."

Justin's mother, Marlys, said she is worried about her son, who is a 2007 Marshalltown High School graduate, but she feels that it is less dangerous in Iraq than in the past.

"I feel better about that," she said.

Both units were previously deployed from 2003 to 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Kaleb Morrow of Centerville, was a soldier who has spent time in Iraq and is headed back with the 1168th.

He is leaving his two young daughters, including 2-year-old Emilia and 2-month-old Alexandria, and his wife, Bernadette.

"It's going to be very rough to say goodbye," he said before the ceremony.

Morrow said he feels they are better equipped this time around especially when it comes to more armor.

The program included addresses from National Guard officials and Marshalltown Mayor Gene Beach.

"Rest assured that we support you in your mission," Beach told the soldiers.

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com