It was a bittersweet day for many at Ft. Riley. About 3,700 soldiers are being deployed for a year to Iraq. Today, they got a proper send-off at a deployment ceremony.

Across the next two weeks, the entire 2nd Brigade of the 1st Infantry will leave Ft. Riley to fight in the Iraq war.

Some soldiers did not have the luxury of saying goodbye to loved ones in person.

"I called them this morning prior to coming out here to let them know the ceremony was starting. They got a little emotional. And I basically told them, I'll be back safe, I'm not leaving yet," said soldier Julia Kelly.

Those who are staying behind are finding new means of support.

"I have family very close by, which is huge. You know, family support is a big deal to get through this. And also, I have a great group of friends here," said Maggie Boyle, the wife of a soldier who is being deployed.

The Army estimates about 3,000 family members of deployed soldiers will remain in the area for the next year, and that those people will have support in the form of "Family Readiness Groups" and other programs.