ALBANY, N.Y. -- It was a parade of strength, forged by family bonds.

"There is no way possible our soldiers could mentally and physically prepare for this mobilization without knowing that the homefront is strong and that they have your love and support," said Captain Kevin Manion, Commander of the 206th Military Police Company.

And no one knows that support better than Specialist Hillari Forney.
She's the third generation in her family to serve in the military.

"It's nice to carry on the tradition, especially being a female," said SPC Forney.

Like her mother, Suzanne, she's military police. With 185 of her brothers in arms, Forney will deploy overseas and train Iraqi police.

For the families of the 206th Military Company, it's a hard mission to accept.

"It's bittersweet," said Suzanne Forney. "I wish she were going to be home with me, but I know she's ready to go."

It was the same for Staff Sgt. Nick Pardi's little brother. This wasn't the first time Adam had to say goodbye.

"Going through it a second time helps a lot, but it's definitely still hard and we just have to make it work," he said. "We'll be able to do it, we have confidence."

And the families also have technology. Unlike the past, they can now Skype but it will be limited.

"I'll Skype as much as I can. But Mom would like me to call every day, all day long, Skype every day, all day long. It doesn't exactly work that way," joked SPC Forney.

What does work for those staying behind is to see the the fact that their soldiers are gaining a new family.

"Right now they're more important than their home family. They have to trust their people to their left and right, in front of them and behind them," said Suzanne Forney.

"It's nice to know that everyone's going through the same thing at the same time," said SPC Forney. "So when you think you're alone, you're really not, so that's something we can share together."