Knoxville, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Before Thanksgiving guests arrive at the Testerman's, 10-year-old Katie plays dress up with her dad's army gear.

But this year, dressing up before a Testerman Thanksgiving takes on a unique meaning.

Mike Testerman says, "getting ready to deploy is to build those extra special moments and memories before you go."

Mike is one of 3500 troops of the 278th cavalry who are leaving their loved ones for a mission overseas-with less than a month before training begins at Camp Shelby in Mississippi.

Mike says he's, "not sure if we'll be back in time for next Thanksgiving, so we plan this one to have the family to build special memories into next year."

Mike's wife, Jenny, adds, "It's always nerve-wracking because it's deployment, but we always say be safe, go with god, have faith because that's what we do back here too."

Daughter Katie says, "We're going to pray to keep him safe."

Prayers and reminders of what they're thankful for.

Jenny says, "We wouldn't be able to say thank god you're here, thank you for this and that, the freedom, the sacrifice you've given because if they don't go do that it could end tomorrow."

For now, a time to be thankful for moments, and soon to be memories, like these.

This is Mike's second deployment to Iraq. He'll be serving our country as a Property Book NCO. Mike and his fellow soldiers of the 278th Cavalry leave for Iraq at the start of the new year. If you are interested in helping the troops travel home for Christmas, there's going to be a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Aubrey's on Middlebrook Pike, on Saturday, December 5th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under and $10 for adults. For more information contact Tamara Longworth at 865-755-3716, or email her at tlongworth@comcast.net.

Also, checks made are payable to:
Attn: 278th
Grace Baptist Church
7171 Oak Ridge Highway
Knoxville, TN 37931

OR

Attn: 278th
Faith Promise
10740 Faith Promise Lane
Knoxville, TN 37931