"They stepped forward when the nation called, and they are going to be doing the mission that they raised their hand for"
Raising his hand for the second time.. Army Staff Sergeant Micheal Filipiak knows saying goodbye to family isn't an easy thing. Three years ago, the 23-year-old solider returned home from Iraq and now he and about two thousand others will start packing their bags for Afghanistan. .
"It feels alot better then the first time because I didn't know what was going on but now I feel more mature," says Filipiak
Filipiak leaves fall.The mission is Illinois' largest National Guard deployment since world war 2.
"I really feel that what we are doing is working and although the media doesn't portray the good stuff we can see it first hand," says Filipiak.
Although he's seen the front lines before.. Filipak says he's nervous about new responsibilities.
"I have eight guys under me so I have their lives to worry about and mine. So it's alot more to worry about," explains Filipiak.
Just like his mission before, Filipiak says no matter what challenges come his way, his team is prepared to "stand-up" for our country.