More than 6,000 friends, family and supporters gathered at Aloha Stadium today to say farewell to 1,700 Hawai'i National Guard soldiers due to leave this month for a yearlong deployment to the Middle East.

Gov. Linda Lingle presented the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with a state flag that had flown over State Capitol, so they would have something to take with them from home.

Sen. Daniel Inouye thanked the soldiers for their service and said he's well aware of the emotions they're feeling.

Some of the soldiers will guard U.S. installations in Kuwait and some will protect convoys going into Iraq.

The brigade heads to Fort Hood, Texas, for two months of training before leaving for Kuwait in October.