National Day of the Deployed honors all of the brave men and woman who have been deployed, are sacrificing, or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. The day also acknowledges their families who are separated from them during deployment and the sacrifices they make in order for their family members to serve our country.
WOW! A military recognition day that also honors the family left at home. I’ve been in that position and it isn’t easy! You function as a single parent the best you can (and get used to being in charge) then your spouse returns home, and thinks he is in charge. It’s always an adjustment to relearn how to share the responsibilities of the family and household. Today, it’s almost as common to have the Mom gone instead of the Dad. I would guess that’s even more difficult if the separation is for a long time.
When my nephew was deployed during Dessert Storm, I sent him the Sunday comics each week. I got more than one letter of thanks, and it is still mentioned at the holiday dinner table. He laughs, “If I had been a drinking man, I would have charged rent on them. As it was, there became a pecking order of who got to read them when I was finished. They got passed along until they were tattered.” Those funny papers were a touch of American life and home for the guys deployed.
I recently attended a church service where a young man was recognized before being deployed to Iraq the following week. He told us he would be back in a year, if all went well. I hate to admit, when we said good-bye to Dillon, we were all thinking, I hope you do come back. It made sending him off a little harder to do.
These days the deployed can communicate much easier with home via cell phones and Skype. I thought it would make deployment easier on both sides, but a good friend, a Captain in the Army, told me it makes it more difficult for some, because the parent at home shares all the troubles (car won’t start, mother-in-law didn’t send a birthday card, child is acting out because they don’t understand where Dad/Mom is) and the person deployed can’t do anything from so far away except feel guilty for not being there. As I said, it isn’t easy.
If you know someone who is deployed, may I suggest you take the time to send them a card or stop by their house and ask the family if they need something done. I promise, they will appreciate knowing someone recognizes the sacrifice they are making for the U.S.A.
Sue Spitulnik 