Christmas will be the last time sophomore Julia Auchey will spend time with her brother for a long time – 12 months to be exact. Auchey’s brother is in the Army and is one of thousands of servicemen heading to Afghanistan, Jan. 1.

“I feel super thankful for him coming home this Christmas before he gets deployed,” Auchey said. “This Christmas isn’t just about getting presents or what we normally see Christmas as, but it’s a chance to be with and be around my brother before he leaves.”

Auchey’s not the only one with family heading to the war in Afghanistan. Senior Okairi Torres and science teacher Marlene Blanchett both have brothers heading overseas.

“I tried not to think about it at the time,” Torres said. “But then I realized I might never see him again especially since he doesn’t live at home anymore.”

The war began in response to the Sept. 11 attacks 10 years ago; Al-Qaeda agents who were behind the attacks were given refuge in Afghanistan. As of Dec. 5, 2011, there have been more than 1,800 U.S. casualties with Operation Enduring Freedom, according to the Department of Defense. There have been more than 4,400 casualties with Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 “I try to keep myself busy with work here,” Blanchett said. “I’m obviously worried but he’s had a lot of training, he’s very smart, he’s very aware and I’m confident he’s going to come back.”

The military departures are sad for families affected, considering President Barack Obama recently announced he was bringing home all troops from Iraq by the end of the year. While Fort Hood will be flush will soldiers returning, other units are heading out to Afghanistan as the new year begins.

“I’m sad, shocked, and scared for him at the same time,” Auchey said. “I keep thinking to myself ‘Oh my gosh, my brother’s going to Afghanistan and he could die there.’ ”

Sophomore Ivy Gutierrez knows Auchey’s pain. She watched her father head off to war when she was in second grade. Gutierrez’s dad, a Marine, returned home periodically, but was fighting in Iraq on and off for three years.

“I was really happy,” Gutierrez said. “We all went to go to see him at the airport with balloons to welcome him back.”

Torres hopes to have her own welcoming home party for her brother in a year. Until then, she’ll be waiting.

“Even though I’m worried he might not come back I still understand,” Torres said. “I understand the people who have done it in the past fighting so we have the freedoms we have today. Although, he does have a daughter at home to take care of and it would be really upsetting if she grew up never knowing him and never having any memories of him because of the sacrifice he made so she could have the liberties she has today.”