Army Chief Warrant Office Terry scoops his four year old daughter, Ava, into his arms.
“Of course I”ll come home tonight,” he says, kissing her on the forehead. “You have a good day, okay?”
Terry’s deployment isn’t for another month or so, but his daughter remembers well the difficulties of their last separation, and already anticipates his departure. She asks if he’ll be coming home every time she sees him leave.
When deployed, Terry, an aeroscout pilot, flies a Kiowa Warrior helicopter. He is air support, he is security, he is reconnaissance. His role is vital. But that doesn’t make it any easier to be away from his family.
His wife, Casey, says that during Terry’s deployment, she does her best to stay busy. She works, and keeps Ava involved in gymnastics and preschool. And, she keeps her camera handy, always thinking of moments and events she can document and share with her husband.
The blessings of modern technology make it easier to stay in touch, but Casey knows if she wants to talk to Terry, she still has to be flexible. Sometimes it is well after midnight before he is able to call. When the phone finally rings, they talk about Ava, about their family and their future plans, and about finally being together again.
And of course, technology also provides the opportunity for Ava to communicate with her Dad. It’s hard to imagine anything more adorable than a four year old playing with dolls or having a fashion show over Skype.
When is it hard(er)? Sometimes Casey says there are decisions that have to be made and you really wish for the opportunity to discuss it with your spouse. When that isn’t possible, you just have to pray and go with your gut feeling and hope you make the right decision.
What makes it easier? When Terry is gone, he still makes sure that Casey and Ava have gifts on their birthdays, on Christmas and other holidays. And sometimes, for no other reason than because he’s thinking about them, flowers show up at their door. (He’s a good man, that one.)
Terry was deployed to Iraq from October 2008-October 2009. Last week, he left for his second tour of duty, this time in Afghanistan. Please take a minute to leave a comment thanking him and his family for their service and sacrifice. And always, always remember him and all of our brave servicemen and women in your prayers.
