Thursday, June 25, 2009

Dealing with deployment

Watching a younger sibling walk through security at the airport to leave for his first deployment can be a hard pill to swallow.

I watched my brother get on a plane to Afghanistan last week, and I found myself feeling a mixture of emotions.

Knowing my brother is going off to serve his country is a proud moment for my family and me. At the same time, we were saddened to watch him leave and worried about what he may encounter.

My brother is a first lieutenant in the Air Force. He is a navigator stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz.

When my brother graduated from James Madison University and commissioned into the Air Force, it was only a matter of time before he deployed, so I guess, in a way, I have been preparing for a while.
Despite the preparation, it doesn’t make it easier to watch him leave.

My sister and I always worried it would be difficult for my mother and father to see their youngest son go to war.

Last year, I attended his navigator school graduation and the commander told the families their sons, daughters or siblings would deploy overseas in the next year.

When he said it, my sister and I looked at my mother to see her reaction. As we expected, a look of worry crept over her face, but our parents have been pillars of strength over the last couple of months.
As the day crept closer, I tried to think of ways to help ease my own thoughts.

I kept telling myself he is just returning to Arizona, instead of taking a flight to Afghanistan, since I only see him on holidays and special occasions. I didn’t see him every day, as I had growing up.
One of the hardest things for me to grasp as a big brother: he is going to a dangerous place and I won’t be there to protect him.

Growing up, my brother and I had our battles, but my father always instilled in us to never let anything come between us and always protect one another.

I always knew my brother could handle himself. He is a tough, intelligent young man. But, all big brothers feel obligated to protect their younger siblings.

I was fortunate enough not to have to worry about my brother’s safety most of the time, because, if I wasn’t there, his large, physically intimidating friends were there in my place.

Now, members of the greatest and most powerful military in the world - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines stand in our place.

I was able to spend time with my brother the weekend he left and he told me something that helped ease my concern. He said this is always what he wanted to do.

Knowing he is doing something that makes him happy is reassuring.

Kelly, we love you and our thoughts and prayers are with you and all those on deployments away from their families.

Come home safe.