Age: 29 Hometown: Winthrop Occupation: Maine Army National Guard Quote: “I want to make a shout out to my fiancé, Josh Wheeler from Winthrop, and my children, Hayden and Hannah. Can’t wait until I go back home and we get to plan our Disney trip together.”

Age: 22 Hometown: Portland Occupation: Computer programmer for the state of Maine Quote: “To my parents, Bill Schoen and Coleen Schoen, and my family, I miss you, I love you guys and I’ll be home soon.”

Age: 21 Hometown: Gorham Occupation: Maine Army National Guard Quote: “To my mom and dad, Tammy Johnson and Henry Lapid, happy holidays and I hope everything is going good. Things here are pretty smooth and I can’t complain. Nice little vacation.”

Age: 24 Hometown: Gorham Occupation: Cumberland County 911 dispatcher Quote: “To my mother and father, Barbara and David Keene of Gorham, my brother, Hossein Miremadi, and my sisters Leaha Keene and Delvina Miremadi, I miss you and I’m doing well. I love you and Happy New Year!”

Maine soldiers’ preparation and training provide a shield against the heart-stopping moments on a four-day, 160-mile mission.