Photo By Sgt. Rachael Moore | Lance Cpl. Frank Krist (left), a tank mechanic with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – During deployments, service members usually keep in touch with their families through email or phone calls, but a few Marines do not have to reach very far for the support a family member offers.
First Lt. Sarah Bergstrom, the landing support officer in charge with 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), and Lance Cpl. Frank Krist, a tank mechanic with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd MLG (Fwd.), both have siblings deployed to Camp Leatherneck with them.
Bergstrom’s sister, 1st Lt. Rachel Abernathy, is currently serving as the adjutant for 2nd Maintenance Battalion here at Camp Leatherneck.
“We meet up at least once a week for chow,” said Bergstrom. “We eat and catch up on things going on at home.”
In addition to their weekly outings, the sisters lean on each other when times get rough.
“There are so many things out here that you can’t control, and at times it’s very frustrating,” explained Bergstrom. “I can always take comfort in knowing that my sister will listen to me, and she will give me honest feedback.
“Since school, Rachel and I have continuously given each other support, and it’s nice to have that safety net out here,” added Bergstrom.
While the sisterly bond helps Bergstrom and Abernathy get through the days, Frank and Paul Krist have their brotherly bond to carry them through their deployment.
“It’s nice having him out here, but I wouldn’t say it’s bringing us closer,” explained Frank. “We can’t get any closer, we’re brothers.”
The Krist brothers joined the Marine Corps together, graduated from the same military occupational specialty school, and now are both deployed to Afghanistan.
“We don’t get to see each other a lot, but when we do it’s like we were never separated,” said Frank.
The brothers enjoy meeting up for dinner or meeting at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center to hang out.
“Our schedules are really different so meeting up can be difficult,” explained Frank. “Sometimes I’ll be walking around base and bump into him. We always find time to say ‘what’s up’ and talk for a minute or two.”
While the busy schedules of both sets of siblings are extremely demanding, they both agree they’d rather have their sibling out here, than not.
“It doesn’t really change much for me as far as my job, but it’s cool knowing my brother is right across the base if I ever needed anything,” Frank added.
“It means a lot to share the experience of being deployed with a family member,” concluded Bergstrom.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2011 04:59 |
| Story ID: | 74504 |
| Location: | HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 622 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ties that bind: Families in the fight, by Sgt Rachael Moore, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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