It was an emotional day in Windsor Locks as hundreds of Connecticut families said goodbye to loved ones deploying with the Connecticut National Guard on Monday.

One hundred guardsmen and women will be gone for a year on a pre-planned mission to an undisclosed location.

Many family members described the moment as bittersweet.

"It's really happening. You know it's happening, but until it happens the butterflies are here. He's nervous, we're nervous, but we also have faith," said Myra Smith, whose son is deploying.

"Having family support and that family integration, behind our soldiers all the time is huge. It gives them the energy and the willingness to do what they do so selflessly," said Maj. Mike Wilcoxson of the Connecticut National Guard.

The National Guard says the mission of the 643rd Military Police Company is to provide military police support to an assigned area of operations.