CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — There are approximately 120,000 American Soldiers in Iraq as of October 2009. This equates to thousands of mothers, fathers, spouses and children who are away from their loved and cherished ones. Your mother, father, best friend, newborn baby and spouse are thousands of miles away. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and cook-outs all continue, as you stay in touch with your family back home through letters and the internet.
Sgt. Rebecca Egli and husband Sgt. Troy Egli, from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, both heavy vehicle drivers with the 445th Transportation Co., 260th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, are stationed together during their 12-month deployment to Iraq. Along with four other married couples in the 445th Transportation Co., they have the opportunity to spend their overseas deployment together. Marriages do not have to be placed on hold until the couples return from their deployment. They do not have to be in the dark about each other's safety and the day-to-day activities. Like the other couples in the unit, they get to see and experience this deployment together, not worrying about each other's welfare because they have trained together and each has a role to play in the unit's success.
Unfortunately, not all Soldiers here are as lucky. At times, they could go days without the opportunity to call home to talk to their loved ones. Spc. Michael Negron, of New Haven, Conn., and a heavy vehicle driver with the 445th, said that "the most difficult part of being a Soldier away from home is when Friday comes and I know that I am not going to be able to see my kids for the weekend." Negron has three kids, two boys and a girl. "The worst thing is when my baby girl has a problem bad enough to make her cry and I cannot be there to make her feel better. But by me being here, I know that no one is going to hurt her tonight," he said.
As parents, so much is missed: the critical years, the cherished moments, your newborn's first steps, the first time your baby calls out 'Dada' or your son's voice changing during his teen years. A number of Soldiers have endured multiple deployments and numerous changes in their families, but each family understands their part and takes pride in serving and supporting their country.
Staff Sgt. Connie Troche, from Waterloo, Iowa, is the assistant truck master for the 445th, and is on her second deployment to Iraq. She has three teenage boys eagerly awaiting her return home. Troche speaks proudly about her boys but is saddened that she has missed so much. "I was not there to assure my son Christian that his first year at middle school was nothing to be scared of. I am missing school dances and my boy's first year of tackle football. I have missed their illnesses, and even their voice changes," she said.
Many turn to social networks to get a better feel of home. Skype is just one of the many tools Soldiers have been using to stay in touch with their families. This service allows you to make unlimited, free calls over the internet, to include video conferencing. Although these are wonderful tools, it is challenging to have video conferences and maintain your composure while speaking to those you miss so very much. Having a live feed means you are practically there next to loved ones, experiencing what they are experiencing. Troche stated that she chokes up pretty quickly when she gets a visual picture of her boys. She said she tries not to use video, as she does not like them to see her get emotional.
Lillian Connolly is the wife of Staff Sgt. Joseph Connolly, who works as a heavy vehicle driver and is from Taunton, Mass. "All I could think of was, 'will he be safe?'" said Connolly. "Of course, I would miss him and worry about how our four children would react. However, since he was active duty infantry for 11 years, I was somewhat used to being alone. Since then, he has been deployed two times. The first for one year...and now deployed again since May 2009."
"Each child reacts differently," Connolly said. "We have three sons and one daughter ranging in age from 15 to 26 years old. You would think that the daughter being the youngest and daddy's little girl would have it the hardest; however, that is not true. The boys are always more emotional."
Connolly went on to say, "My husband and I are very close, he is my best friend. We have been together since I was 13 years old and he was 15 years old. To be separated for a year at a time is difficult, but it is the love, trust, respect and honor that keep us together. I am very proud of my Soldier for all he has done for his country. He is my hero."
Many family members are very proud of their Soldier's service for their country. Their children miss them when they are not sitting next to them at the Thanksgiving dinner table or helping them decorate the Christmas tree. Often though, when asked about their mom or dad, they will proudly answer, he or she is a Soldier in Iraq protecting us all.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2009 03:28 |
| Story ID: | 41982 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 215 |
| Downloads: | 185 |
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