Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Valentine | Married couple and Soldiers, Sgt. Zachary Butler, Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
According to legend, Emperor Claudius II determined that single men made better soldiers than those with wives, so he outlawed marriage for all young men — his pool from which to draw potential soldiers.
Valentine, a priest, saw the injustice in the decree and continued to wed young lovers in secret. When Valentine was discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
If the emperor was alive today, he might be shocked to see that combat zones now include married couples who also serve as Soldiers. They share last names, living quarters and the responsibility of helping create a better environment for the citizens of Iraq.
Married Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Division, U.S. Division — Center, are afforded a unique opportunity compared with most Soldiers: they get to celebrate Valentine's Day with their loved ones, even if it means doing so in an austere location.
French horn player Staff Sgt. Kira Welch and trombone player Staff Sgt. Daniel Welch work at 1st Armd. Div. Band. Married for more than two years, they volunteered to join the division in Wiesbaden, Germany, so they could deploy together.
"It was the first deployment for either of us and we got the chance to go together," said Daniel.
For Valentine's Day last year, Daniel and Kira traveled to Portugal. This year, their travel plans may include a dinner at one of the international restaurants within Victory Base Complex. As for the rest of their plans, they're keeping them a secret from each other.
Kira believes if you can deploy with your spouse and make it, you can make anything else work.
"It brings a new honesty to a relationship," Kira said. "You can't hide any troubles from the others in your unit. You have to work things out; you don't have a choice."
They agreed they have had to make some adjustments; everything from being aware of the thin walls of their living quarters to not calling each other by their first names. They also find ways of separating work life from their personal life.
"We have to find time to take care of Soldiers and one another," Kira said.
Another couple assigned to U.S. Division — Center, Staff Sgt. Valerie Vega and Sgt. Carlos Vega, natives of Illinois, will also share their Valentine's Day holiday together in Iraq. They plan on spending the holiday watching movies and just hanging out, said Carlos.
The Vegas are assigned to the 362nd Psychological Operations Company and have been married nearly a year. They credit their happiness with this piece of advice: "Leave your rank at the door," said Carlos. "Keep the job and the relationship separate."
Keeping relationships separated from work is sometimes a bit easier if your spouse is assigned to a different unit, said Sgt. Zachary Butler.
Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 41st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armd. Div., Butler, deployed separately from his wife, Spc. Adriane Butler, with 362nd Psychological Operations Company, 1st Armd. Div.
Although arriving separately, they not only were assigned to the same base, they ended up in the same "neighborhood."
"We lucked out," said Zachary. "Originally, we expected to spend a year apart."
When he found out that Adriane was deploying, Zachary volunteered to deploy with another unit.
The Butlers have also been married nearly a year. Adriane's advice to future deploying married couples: Communication.
"You have to learn to talk to each other," she said. "You can't hold anything in, with such close living quarters. If we can make it in these rooms, we can make it when we get to our house."
Zachary said he could not sit at home alone for a year without her.
"I would go nuts," he said about how his outlook on life has changed since his marriage.
Valentine's Day for the Butlers will be a challenge — they both will be pulling duty on that day, but they still have plans to spend time together, even if only sitting on the front steps of their living quarters or watching movies, said Zachary.
He suggested what might be in store for Adriane on a future Valentine's Day.
"I always wanted to have the house set up with thousands of flowers," Zachary said. "I can't tell her enough how much I love her."
Adriane stayed focused on this year's celebration, especially after she gets off duty: "It's nice to come home to your best friend."
Whether the legend of St. Valentine is true or not, deployed couples are finding ways to celebrate the holiday of romance where romance can be hard to find.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2010 07:53 |
| Story ID: | 45213 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 576 |
| Downloads: | 270 |
This work, Love in a battlefield...Married Soldiers celebrate Valentine's Day in Iraq, by SFC Phillip Valentine, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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