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Nearly 50 soldiers from the Montana National Guard were honored in Helena for their service on Sunday, but they weren't the only ones being recognized.

Family and loved ones of the soldiers were also honored.

GSAB Battalion Commander James Wilkins noted, "It is very difficult on those families while that soldier is deployed, and we want to recognize that and ensure that those families know that the National Guard and the community is there for them."

Angel Petersen, wife of SSgt Roger Peterson, said, "The clock for the second deployment...is a very special thing for me to get a little bit of recognition above and beyond for our sacrifices over the years"

Wilkins explained, "They earn those gifts, they are there for their families as tokens for them to remember the sacrifice and not only that, it gives the soldier something to look at further down the road to say, 'Hey I was recognized for what I did, my family has been recognized,' and it gives them something to go home with."