POSTED: Saturday, December 1, 2012 --- 8:00 p.m.

PLYMOUTH, Wis. (AP) -- Eighty Wisconsin National Guard soldiers are ready to ship out for a nine-month mission in Afghanistan.

A WLUK-TV report says dozens of well-wishers gathered in Sheboygan County on Saturday to give the soldiers a rousing send-off.

The soldiers are with the Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery based in Plymouth. They leave Monday for about six weeks of training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before heading overseas.

Sgt. Ernaldo Guerrero says he's ready to do what he's been trained for.

While he and other soldiers said they're excited, family members say they're already anxious for their loved ones' return.

Amanda Medina gave birth three months ago, and said her husband is about to leave for his third deployment. She says she'll try to handle things day by day.

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Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

Copyright 2012: Associated Press