Dozens of National Guard members from across Western New York have said goodbye to loved ones as they gear up for a year deployment to the Middle East.  

About 70 soldiers said a farewell to family members at the Armory in Buffalo while others had a sendoff at Lockport High School.  

Tomorrow, the soldiers will head to a military base in Mississippi before heading to Kuwait in April.  They are expected to be on active duty for 12 months.