Missy Berry spent Monday night spending what little time she had left with her family before she was sent away to Georgia as a member of the Army Reserves.

While she said it would be hard - both on her and her family – she and her family would manage.

She quietly packed her bags, kissed her father on the cheek, and wished her son well.

Within months, weeks, or even days, Berry could be on her way to the Middle East to fight in the war against terrorism.

This story is not just being heard in Troy, but throughout the nation.

As military forces are building up, both overseas and at home, families are left without mothers and fathers. Students are left without teachers. And communities, throughout the nation, are left with both a sense of pride in their hometown heroes and an anxious concern for their friends.

We join together with those families, students and communities in offering our prayers and well wishes for a safe return.

Whether this war is right or wrong, we have men and women who have vowed to stand by their government and its decisions, whatever they may be.

Take a minute to honor those who are putting their lives on the line for yours.

And, to those heroes: hurry back.