Some 3,000 citizen-soldiers assigned to the Tennessee Army National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, including 120 based in Greeneville, took part in a departure ceremony at Camp Shelby, Miss., on Friday afternoon.

The soldiers of the 278th, Tennessee's largest National Guard unit, are scheduled to begin deploying to Iraq next week for up to a year.

But a plan to have all 3,000-plus solders march past a reviewing stand was abandoned because Camp Shelby's parade field had been flooded by heavy rainfall.

On Friday, soldiers stood in formation on "higher ground" across what Tennessee Army National Guard spokesman Randy Harris described as a "small pond" from a speakers' platform to hear addresses by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and military leaders.

Several hundred family members of the 278th soldiers, including many from the Greeneville area, also listened and watched from bleacher seats across the muddy parade ground from the assembled soldiers, according to Tammy McGinnis, a Cedar Creek resident whose husband, Cpl. Mark McGinnis, stood in the huge formation.

She noted that the weather was chilly with dark clouds overhead, but that rain did not fall during the ceremony.

Cpl. McGinnis is a member of Greeneville-based Troop L of the 278th's third squadron.

Also present for the departure ceremony were relatives of 278th ACR soldiers who died during the unit's last deployment to Iraq in 2004-05. Among those relatives were the parents of Sgt. Paul W. Thomason, a member of the Greeneville troop, then designated Troop G. Thomason was killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device blast.

"It's a proud and serious day as we honor the soldiers of the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment," Bredesen said during the ceremony.

"As governor, one of my proudest duties is to serve as commander-in-chief of Tennessee's troops. As I look at the faces of the men and women who will today answer our nation's call to service, I am especially proud.

"I joined the 278th in Camp Shelby during the regiment's last deployment to Iraq. In fact, I understand that half of the soldiers deploying today also deployed back then.

"In fact, this will be a second tour of duty for your commander, Col. Jeff Holmes. Col. Holmes, I know these troops are in capable hands. You have my thanks for your leadership.

"I also know that, during your last Iraqi tour, 14 of your comrades paid the ultimate sacrifice during their service.

"I want to start there today with the families of our fallen: You represent 14 of Tennessee's greatest heroes, and I can only imagine the strength it has taken to be here today. Thank you.

"In addition to being Tennessee's largest regiment, the 278th is also one of only two cavalry regiments in the entire country.

"I consider the 278th to be remarkable not only because of its size, but because of its people ... Within this regiment, we have entire families serving -- like the Poore family, whose five members all deploy today.

"The 278th includes soldiers like staff sergeant Matphin, whose military service dates back to the Vietnam War.

"The soldiers of the 278th continue to volunteer for deployment time and time again. Take, for example, staff sergeant Russell Kilka. This deployment marks his fifth tour of duty.

"And the 278th is full of accomplished men and women like Private First Class Shawanda Short. She played on her high school's football team in Clarksville.

"The bottom line is, the soldiers who serve in Tennessee's National Guard are regular men and women -- they work in large companies, they own small businesses, they raise kids and care for elderly parents.

"They are 'ordinary' people who possess an extraordinary, quiet courage during their every day lives -- the same courage that, when the call to service is issued, enable them to respond quickly and decisively.

"I'm proud of the soldiers of the 278th. I'm also proud of the employers who support them.

"One of my first acts as governor was to sign Executive Order Number Four, establishing compensation for state employees during their National Guard deployment.

"Since then, many companies in our state have followed suit, and I appreciate their corporate citizenship.

"And I'm proud of the families of the 278th. I'm talking about the partners who stay home to run a household alone, parents whose children have answered the call to service, and children who mark birthdays, and school plays, and science fairs while mom or dad is away from home.

"I've heard it said, over and over again: the families of our soldiers are the 'real troopers.'

"To the families of the 278th: As you pray for your loved ones to return home safely, my wife, Andrea, and I are praying with you.

"One of Col. Holmes' favorite Bible verses is taken from Isaiah 6, and I think it's appropriate for today:

" ... I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here I am. Send me.' "

"Andrea and I are grateful for your patriotism and your passion. We are thinking of your safety, your success, and of the folks back home supporting you. Thank you for your courage, and Godspeed."

The 278th ACR citizen-soldiers have been at Camp Shelby since early December conducting specialized pre-deployment training.

Tennessee's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Max Haston, and military dignitaries from across the country also attended.

"It's humbling to stand before these great troopers, " said Maj. Gen. Haston.

"You are the standard bearers of this nation," he added. He also thanked soldiers' families whom he described as, "the Guard family."

Other notables from Tennessee included U.S. Reps. Lincoln Davis, Marsha Blackburn and Zack Wamp, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, House Speaker Kent Williams, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs John Keys, and State Rep. Joshua Evans.

The 278th ACR has units based in 45 cities and towns across Tennessee from Kingsport in the east to Henderson in the far west.