What should I call this, Mommy' s going off to war? She is. Guardswoman Sgt Zelene Diaz walks with her son David Diaz, 4 following a Departure Ceremony for the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion shippiing out for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Earlier, Sgt Richard Schwartz, right, sings "God Bless America" to conclude the ceremony.

NJ Gov Jon Corzine, 2nd from right and MG Glenn K Reith, right, Adjutant General of New Jersey applaud. The others in photo from left are Senators from NJ, Robert Mendez and Frank Lautenberg.

From left, Chaplain Joanne Martindal plants a kiss on the cheek of Madison Tolska, 8, months, held by her dad, Capt. Eric Tolska onstage after the ceremony was over. Last week, I was at the inauguration and now this today. Makes me proud to be an American.