With goodbyes looming ahead, the family of an ISU sophomore attended a ceremony on Tuesday to recognize Ames soldiers in the 949th Medical Detachment, which is scheduled to deploy Wednesday.

Private First Class James Doolittle, food inspector for the detachment and sophomore in management information systems, is the second in his family to serve his country. His grandfather, Art Kelting, a World War II veteran, was among the family present at the ceremony.

“Sixty-three years ago I went through this same thing myself,” Kelting said. “I’m very proud for him.”

Tears fell down Kelting’s cheek as he watched his grandson preparing for deployment.

“Knowing that the world is such a mess and we have to send troops is where the tears are coming from,” he said.

James’ sister, Libby Doolittle, freshman in pre-business, said she will be passing on to her brother her grandfather’s rosary and prayer book. Kelting had the rosary and book with him in World War II. Libby Doolittle said she believes they will comfort her brother while away from home.

The 949th is scheduled to leave at 9 a.m. Wednesday for Fort Benning, Ga. Doolittle said he doesn’t know their destination once they are finished there.

“After Fort Benning, I honest to God don’t know [where we are going],” he said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Kennedy said there has been speculation that the soldiers will go to Southwest Asia.

Southwest Asia is a very large area and could mean deploying to many locations, said Lt. Col. Michael Fisher.

He said he was the first person to perform a drill in the 949th, and he will be traveling with the unit.

“Southwest Asia is everything west of India, meaning India and all points west, and everything east of the eastern Mediterranean,” Fisher said. “That’s an awful lot of square miles.”

Fort Benning serves as a mobilization unit, said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Larsen, Army Reserves spokesman from Des Moines. He said the 949th’s focus will be on animal care and food inspection.

Fisher said the soldiers will undergo rigorous inspections in Georgia and be there for three or four weeks. “Everything we’ve done [in Ames] will be repeated and checked [in Georgia],” he said.

The inspectors in Georgia will check personnel records, promotions and awards, contact information, life insurance policies, pay records, medical records and basic soldier training, Fisher said.

Kennedy said the troops were put on orders last Wednesday and brought into the unit in Ames to prepare for their departure. This week they have been updating records and shots while practicing basic soldier skills, he said.

“Those that live outside a 50-mile radius we’ve put on orders and put them in a hotel and those inside 50 miles get to go home,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the soldiers have similar drills every year, but usually they aren’t preparing to deploy.

“We do it every year, but this year there’s more meaning,” he said. “It’s for real.”

Doolittle said he is honored to be called to duty.

“There were so many of us that volunteered, it kind of makes you feel like they respect you enough to feel like you know what you’re doing and send you,” he said.

Doolittle said Iowa State is being cooperative with his situation. “I’ve got to take a copy of my orders to the school and I’ll get a tuition refund,” he said.

Doolittle said his parents have supported his military career.

“We’re very proud and we’re nervous at the same time,” said his father, Dan Doolittle, of Webster City.

His mom, An’Nyc Kelting, of Ames, said she wasn’t surprised for her son’s call to duty.

“He had prepared us for this at Christmas time so it wasn’t a big shock,” said An’Nyc Kelting.

James said he plans to finish college after he serves the country, which could be for more than a year.