Justin Anderson graduated from Mountainview High School in 2007, heart set on marrying his sweetheart and headed for college and a career in sports medicine.

But the young man is putting his cherished hopes on the shelf for at least a year while he finishes his tour of duty in Iraq with the 81st Brigade Combat Team of the Washington State National Guard. It is his first deployment.

“I signed up knowing that I was going and am looking forward to it,” said Anderson, 19. “I am getting married after I get back.”

His fiancée, Saranade Howells, 17, who met Anderson on the school’s track team, had mixed feelings.

“I am really nervous about it, kinda scared, but I honor his duty and will stand by him and support him as much as I can,” Howells said.

On Wednesday, Anderson was one of the more than 750 soldiers of the 2,400-member combat team who came to Game Farm Park on the cusp of their departure, to be honored by families, flag waving supporters and politicians. American Legion Post 161 hosted the ceremony, one of more than a dozen such events throughout the state Wednesday.

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire and her husband Mike Gregoire, U.S. Congressmen Adam Smith and Dave Reichert, Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis and State Rep. Pam Roach came to see them off.

In honoring the soldiers, Gregoire, also commander in chief of the Washington National Guard, invoked the painful memories of the poor homecoming afforded soldiers in an earlier war.

“My husband, Mike, served in Vietnam, and he came home to a nation that wasn’t necessarily extending a welcome mat,” Gregoire said. “Mike and I came here today to tell you unequivocally that every man and woman in this great state thanks, honors and respects you for serving in the military and the National Guard in the United States of America.”

At the same, Gregoire added, everybody knows they are asking the soldiers to do a dangerous job.

“We want you to know that we are going to be there every day thinking of you. We are going to be there every day praying for you, and we’re going to be here to welcome each and every one of you home safe and secure,” Gregoire said.

Smith said the nation needs to be “very, very proud of what they do every day. I particularly want to thank the families and what they do in support of their service.”

Larry Huwe, who served in the South Dakota National Guard in 1953, and is past commander of American Legion Post 78, came in part to support his nephew, Zach Swanlund, who is headed to Iraq with his unit, and because he is proud of the soldiers.

“They’re taking their orders and doing their job and doing a darn good job too. It almost brings tears to my eyes,” said Huwe.

Guard members started their of duty Tuesday and were to be in Fort McCoy, Wis., for final training by the end of the week. Team members will be in Iraq by late October or early December, serving with 900 California National Guard soldiers, also part of the 81st. Their primary duties are expected to include convoy security.

“I think this is a great turnout,” said Guardsman Randall Anderson, 33, of Puyallup, cradling 4-month old Chloe in his arms with children Auri, 4, and Logan, 2 at his side. “It’s great for morale. I know a lot of people didn’t get that in older times, and I see a lot of higher morale because of it.”

The Puyallup man fully expects to return home to his job as manager for Precision Time, a watch repair and sales shop.

This is his first deployment.

“No, I am not nervous,” Anderson said. “I know my wife, Jennie, is really strong and will do a lot for the family, and I really think the Guard has done a lot to keep us strong and prepared for what we are going to be doing … I joined because my family needs a safe world to live in, and I want to part of providing that.”

“I know he’s trained well and he will come home. He’s our children’s hero,” said Jennie Anderson.