Greg Laffitte
March 26, 2008 01:28 pm
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Another day has passed, and when it’s all said and done, there’s really only so much you can do to ease the pain of missing one’s family. There are many servicemen and women deployed around the world today, who endure separations and miss important events in their loved one’s daily lives.
There are also the moms and dads who stay behind and maintain the home front, persevering through trials and tribulations that seldom receive the accolades and appreciation they so deserve.
Military members receive medals and ribbons for their service while those that stay behind receive the additional burden imposed on them as a consequence of being a “single” parent. Bills still have to be paid, kids continue to get sore throats and report cards arrive containing grades that often reflect loneliness more than lack of academic discipline.
Being a child of deployed servicemen and women has to be tough. It can be extremely hard on the young ones, who aren’t fully able to comprehend the notion of the days, weeks and months that remain before mom or dad comes home. The slightest reminder of a deployed parent to a child can be both comforting and upsetting.
In 1968 my dad was gone for a year flying combat missions in Vietnam. That summer my brother and I attended a YMCA day camp which gave my mom a much needed break from the daily routine of keeping two young boys out of mischief.
One particular afternoon, it was the time of day when camp concludes and parents arrive to pick up their children. While I was waiting, I caught the scent of cigar smoke wafting across the parking lot. My dad smoked cigars and in my 8-year-old mind, I quickly associated that aroma with my dad. I took off running in search of him thinking he had come home and was there to pick me up. It wasn’t my dad; it was someone else’s father.
Now it’s my turn to be away from home. My kids are much older than I was on that summer day, yet I am aware that children regardless of their age will always miss their parents, and parents will always miss their children. I’ve looked into the faces of many young Americans and have been reminded every day of my own two sons and daughter back in the states.
As one of the older men here on this compound, I am old enough to be the father of many who have suffered wounds in combat. They are gallant young warriors who have been in harm’s way and have received the Purple Heart. These are hard-charging kids, who would make any parent swell with pride and tear up with emotion when they learn of their child's injuries.
Yesterday two young hard chargers were medically evacuated to our clinic because of injuries sustained when the Taliban shot a rocket propelled grenade at their armored vehicle. They called home to inform their loved ones that they would be OK and not to worry. Most of the time the injured troops break the news to their fathers first rather then telling their moms.
As I was witnessing this, my family was gathered together in Valdosta preparing for an Easter celebration. They looked forward to going to Park Avenue United Methodist Church for the Sunday sermon and eagerly anticipated a festive meal following the service.
I am aware that many of those reading this article will also share the emotion felt as a result of having your family member absent from your dinner table sometime during the year. My advice is the same as my father said, “Hang tough, suck it up and press on. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
I also believe you are the reason I serve this great nation. Family members back in the good old USA are the very motivation that makes my long days pass a little easier. You help these servicemen and women and their families get through these long separations by just letting them know you are thinking of us.
If you happen to know of someone in South Georgia whose family member is deployed, consider giving them a call and offering to buy them a cup of coffee or just take a moment to check in on them and see how they are doing.
Show them you care and let them know their sacrifices are appreciated, so a little boy who runs to meet his father or mother and discovers they are not home from their deployment, won’t hurt quite so badly today. God Bless America.
Greg Laffitte would love to hear from you e-mail him at greg.laffitte@gmail.com.
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