KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- More than 1,000 soldiers of the 844Th Engineer Battalion out of Knoxville are headed overseas. About 200 left Thursday morning.

There are many ways to say goodbye, but for these loved ones it's about one year apart. So for them, it's we'll talk soon.

Staff Sgt. David Rolfe says, "Email writing. I've been told a letter a day, I better make sure." His wife Brittany adds, "Lots of phone calls, phone cards."

Pfc. Jason McCullah says, "I've got my laptop to take with me, a lot of web chatting and just a lot of phone calls."

But no amount of online chatting and phone calls can make up for the missed hugs, kisses, and love felt for these 200.

McCullah says, "I'm just thinking mostly about my family right now, it's hard."

McCullah is surrounded by his family, but it's hard for a 7-year-old and an 18-month-old to accept that Daddy has to leave for one year.

McCullah says, "I know a year is a long time and I just don't want to leave them right now. That's the only thing I'm worried about right now."

But Jason's parents and brother are home in East Tennessee to support his wife Ashley and their sons.

Ashley McCullah says, "I'm just going to miss him. I'm really proud of him."

Pride is something hundreds showed their soldiers, as they head out for their third deployment.

Lt. Col. Adam Roth, the Commander of the 844Th Engineer Battalion says, "Our first deployment was during Operation Desert Shield, in Desert Storm in 90' - 91'. Our second deployment was in 2004, 2005 when this Battalion deployed to Kuwait."

This is Staff Sergeant David Rolfe's third tour, so he and his wife, of three years, have had to spend time apart before.

David says, "We've been through this before so we kind of have a system down."

But this time 9-month-old Eva is home with mom, while dad leaves to go overseas again.

David says, "This is the hardest part of it, is having her. Having her has really been difficult because there's a lot of milestones to miss and stuff."

But to catch one last glimpse of their soldier as the buses pull out of town, hundreds lined the rainy streets to wave their signs and try to blow one last kiss.

Since this group is an Army Reserve Battalion they are supposed to be deployed for about one year.

If you would like to show your support for the 844Th Engineer Battalion and their families, in any way you can, call their Helpline at 865/558-5048.