Thanksgiving is a day off for the 500 citizen-soldiers of the 133rd Engineering Battalion.

Even before today’s festivities, Sgt. William “Bill” Spaulding, 42, of Brooks had already shared one Thanksgiving dinner with about 50 members of the extended family he shares with his wife, Debbie.

Spaulding and the others of Maine’s largest National Guard unit expect to be eating most of their meals for the next 12 months elsewhere in the world, possibly Iraq.

“One big thing I don’t have to worry about is going to any more big family Thanksgivings until I get back,” Spaulding said Wednesday during preparations at the Belfast Armory for deployment. “It’s too much of a hassle.”

Although the Army has yet to inform them of their official destination, the soldiers have little doubt that they are headed for Iraq. They have been packing their gear and readying equipment at armories in Belfast, Portland, Lewiston, Westbrook, Skowhegan and Norway for more than a week. They will leave for Fort Drum, N.Y., within the next two weeks and be on their way to the Persian Gulf early next year.

Members of Alpha Company of the 133rd in Belfast were busy Wednesday morning arranging last-minute details.

The 133rd is similar to a large construction company and has scores of trucks, bulldozers and other pieces of heavy equipment to ship to the war zone. Gear was stowed, tents were rolled and the freezers were emptied.

Like most National Guard units, Alpha Company is made up of both young soldiers with families and long-time guardsmen with grandchildren. They know the period of separation will be hard on all involved.

“It sounds like a cliche to say it’s harder on the families, but it really is, without a doubt,” Spaulding said during a break. “I’ve been trained for this and I’m ready to go. My wife is supportive, but she doesn’t want me to go. She’s not stupid. She knows it will be dangerous.”

Spaulding, who is a truck driver for an Augusta flooring products company, is a father of five and grandfather of three. The Brooks resident will turn 43 in January. He has been a member of the guard since the 1970s and is confident that he is prepared for whatever awaits.

“In 26 years, this is my first war,” he said. “We’ve been well trained and we’re ready. I may have mixed feelings about it. I don’t want to be gone a year, but it’s something I expected to happen. I support the policies of the government and now it’s my turn.”

Spaulding has one son and four daughters ranging in age from 11 to 25. His three grandchildren range in age from 1 to 6. He said he was fortunate that his family had a large number of relatives as well as friends from church they can turn to while he is gone.

Spc. Daniel Trojecki, 26, of Hermon spent three years on active duty and the past two in the National Guard. He and his wife, Marie, have three daughters ages 5, 4 and 3. Trojecki, a native of Philadelphia, met his wife in Korea where they both were stationed.

“My wife used to be in the Army, so she understands,” said Trojecki. “My oldest daughter grasps the concept that I’m going somewhere, but the other two really don’t. Little kids have no concept of time.”

Trojecki, who joked that his civilian job was “domestic engineer,” or house-husband, said he planned to spend “just a normal” Thanksgiving with his wife, children and members of his wife’s family.

Trojecki also was thankful that his wife had family in the area to help her while he is gone. He said his mother flew up from Philadelphia a few days ago to say goodbye. She will be caring for her grandchildren for part of next summer.

Despite having to be away from his wife and children for a year, Trojecki has a soldier’s view of his duty. He said he understands the situation and is looking forward to the challenges.

“No matter how hard it will be on the family, if [the Army] said you’re not going, I’d be disappointed,” he said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to go to a hostile situation and come out alive. My oldest daughter, Catherine, has her birthday soon and I’ll be sending her a little bottle of Iraqi sand. Something for show and tell.”