Editor's Note: In the event that their families could be targeted after their deployments, the military personnel in this story asked to be identified by only their first names.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - One Lawrence County family will say goodbye to not one, but two relatives this weekend.

Chief Warrant Officer Donnie of Proctorville and his 21-year-old son, Adam a specialist from South Point , are being sent to Camp Atterbury, Ind., as part of the mobilization of military personnel across the country as a result of possible war with Iraq.

"If he's got to go, I'd rather him be with me," Donnie said.

"My stepmother is going to have twice to worry about," Adam said.

Donnie and Adam are part of the 1257th Transportation Company of the West Virginia Army National Guard. The father and son, along with 167 others have been mobilized to go to Camp Atterbury. After their arrival, where they will go next and details of their mission are unknown even to them.

Todd, a captain from Chesapeake and the company commander, said this week has been spent with the men and women of the unit updating their personal records, getting active duty military ID cards, updating pay records, visiting with a chaplain, and updating medical and legal information.

Some members of the unit are not only willing to go, they are somewhat eager, even excited.

"I'm ecstatic," Paul, a private and an Ironton resident said. "I'm ready to go. It's what I'm trained to do, and I'm proud to serve my country."

"I look forward to the challenge that's put forth for me, personally and as a leader," Todd said. "It's an excellent learning opportunity, and I am ready to go."

"It's my duty," Donnie said. "I signed the papers. I am a man of my word, and if you're word is not worth anything, you're not worth anything."

Forty-eight-year-old David, a sergeant from Athalia, has been in the armed forces for 17 years, being stationed in Germany and Thailand during his time in the U.S. Army.

"It's exciting to go to new places, but I'm worried," he said. "I'll miss my family. I'll worry about them more than myself."

David is married with five children, four of them still at home.

"They haven't said much," he said. "My 10-year-old is all excited, but the others are quiet. They may not realize anything until I'm gone for a while."

Frank, a 30-year-old sergeant from Chesapeake, is married with a 5-year-old daughter and a son that is almost 2.

"My children are too young," he said. "I guess they figure that I'm going to go and play Army."

Daniel, a 22-year-old specialist from Proctorville, is married with three children, ages 3, one-and-a-half, and eight months. His two younger children are also too young to understand what is happening, but his 3-year-old has some idea.

"She knows that Daddy is going away for a little bit," he said. "She gets upset, but she tells me to bring her back some SpongeBob toys when I get back."

Tim, a 27-year-old specialist from Chesapeake, will leave behind his wife and two daughters, ages 8 and 5. His oldest daughter will be 9 April 1. He does not know if he will be able to contact her on her birthday.

Jamie, a 23-year-old specialist from Ironton, has no children, but his mother is worried.

"She doesn't like it that well," he said.

Besides his family, Adam is also leaving his college career behind for now. The Marshall University molecular biology major had to withdraw from his classes in which he had all As. He will have to start those classes over again upon his return.

As the men and women prepare to leave, protests are being conducted around the world … protests against the war they could be fighting.

Everyone has the right to "speak their piece" Donnie said. However, military personnel have been the ones fighting to defend freedom of speech.

"They received that freedom from the Army," Tim said. "What we're doing now allowed that free speech."

One person definitely on the minds of some of the personnel is Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

"I don't believe he had been able to tell the truth, and he has stated that he will fight the war by land, sea and air," Todd said. "The fact that he is able to do that shows that he has not been telling the truth."

"I feel sorry for him because we're coming after him," Paul said.

Adam said he wishes that Hussein would simply say he will disarm and do it, or if he does not plan to disarm, declare that as well.

However, his family and friends at home in Lawrence County will be on his mind more.

"I'll be thinking about everybody, keeping them in my thoughts while I'm gone," Adam said.

"Tell my kids I love 'em," Daniel said.