It showed Tuesday afternoon in a send-off ceremony and reception at the middle school gym. Calhoon, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, a unit subordinate to the 1st Battalion of the New Mexico National Guard's 200th Infantry, will soon deploy for more than a year to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Kind words, music, cake, American flags and a few tears were exchanged as Calhoon was honored, with his wife, Renea, and four children, Mikayla, Leanne, Kaitlyn and Joshua beside him.

Calhoon was the winner of last year's inaugural Estancia Mini-Ironman triathlon competition.

Superintendent Carolyn Allen-Renteria told the audience Calhoon had joined the Guard at the urging of her husband, also a National Guardsman. "Mr. Renteria saw key qualities in him; he saw he was a leader and a motivator," she said. "We hold you in the highest regard and are thankful for your service to our country."

Calhoon entered the Guard in 1999, went through enlisted basic training that summer at age 36 and earned his commission at 39. Calhoon paused tearfully before thanking his wife and four children for their support, but reassured those gathered, they are in safe hands.

"We're going to a dangerous place," he said. "A lot of people, not much older than you have gone through this. Since September 11, 2001, everything has changed drastically. Every person able to be deployed has been deployed in some capacity. We are the best trained, the best equipped military on the planet."

Capt. Jason Peete also spoke at the ceremony. He urged supporters to write a letter or e-mail Calhoon while he is away.

"There is going to be a hole in your hearts," he said. "Every Guard member knows about sacrifice. The reason we do what we do is because of each and every one of you."

National Guard Specialist Jordan Brock, a 2007 graduate of Estancia High School is also being deployed to Iraq and wished Calhoon the best on his tour of duty.

"We'll be battle buddies no matter where we go," he said. "You'll always be my captain and friend. I'll find you when you get back."

Although they aren't serving together, Brock said this is his first deployment. Calhoon served in Washington, D.C., for a little over a year beginning in 2004, but this is the first time he's been deployed overseas, according to Shauna Branch, middle school principal. He did attend a special training in Romania last year for two weeks, she said.

Calhoon has been teaching and coaching in Estancia for seven years and previously taught in Mountainair.

Calhoon is thankful for his freedoms and his faith. "We're going to a place where people are willing to give their own life, because of their religion, to do harm to others," Calhoon said. "I thank God ours is based on loving and protecting each other."

He hopes to be back in 420 days.