INDIANAPOLIS -- In one of the largest Indiana troop sendoffs since World War II, more than 3,000 troops will depart Indiana Wednesday for an eventual year-long deployment to Iraq.

More than 25,000 people are expected to pack the RCA Dome as the Indiana National Guard's 76th Infantry Brigade prepares to leave, 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

Col. Corey Carr, commander of the unit, said the group will first go to a training camp before heading overseas.

"My boss, Gen. (R. Martin) Umbarger, told me to bring everybody home, and I take that job very seriously," Carr said. "The guys will be exposed to a lot of danger. That's why the training is so critical."

Carr will leave behind his wife, Beth, 7-year-old daughter, Reagan, and 4-year-old son, Evan.

"I have to think about getting the brigade ready, because when I think about leaving the family, it gets a little tough for me," Carr said.

Carr, who calls Evan "little buddy," is trying to take advantage of the precious little time he has left to play with his son before he departs for a year.

"Evan … doesn't really have a good feeling for how long a year is," Carr said.

Reagan, a first-grader, will probably have her front teeth back when dad comes back home. Corey went to Reagan's class to talk about his trip.

"We are going to be pen pals with him," Reagan said.

Beth is busily trying to get things crossed off the to-do list before her husband leaves.

"We needed to get some legal things taken care of, some paperwork done," Beth said. "I asked him to get our taxes started before he left. Emotionally, I'm just going to take this one day at a time."

Beth said she will tell Corey to be safe and to think of her and the children when he makes some of his moves overseas.

Reagan is already looking forward to the day her dad comes back home.

"We'll probably have a big party, or something," Reagan said. "He likes chocolate cake."

Wednesday's farewell ceremony will not be open to the public. National Guard officials said they want to make sure there is enough room for the soldiers and their families.