VIEWPOINT: Three Months Down, Nine To Go
by ABC-7 Executive Producer Kristine Rivers
Well, time has finally started to speed up. My husband Chris and his fellow military police officers left for Iraq more than three months ago. This week, thousands of El Paso families are saying goodbye to their loved ones as nearly 4,000 soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division leave to support Operation Enduring Freedom. These soldiers are heading out for a year-long deployment.
The next couple of months will be hard on their families and tough on the soldiers. The soldiers will be getting used to their new surroundings, executing missions and missing their families. Families back home will have to get back to their day to day routine with a major part of their routine missing. Some people can quickly adapt, for others it takes a while. It took me two and half months. Once we got close to the three month mark, time started to go by quickly. The swine flu and other breaking news stories at work made the last few weeks fly by. I can’t believe it’s May already. I just have to get through this month, then our R & R is set for June. I actually get to say, “I”ll see you next month,” when I talk to him. After that, the countdown to his return begins. Don’t get me wrong, I still have bad days and sad days, but overall they are fewer and farther between. I think once you get into your own routine, and accept it, instead of dwelling on how much you miss your old routine, the wait suddenly becomes a lot easier.
The first two months of the deployment dragged by. I can’t even describe to you how slow the first month was. I seriously can’t because I’ve never experienced something go by so slowly. Time starts to fly for some spouses early on, and later for others, but rest assured, time will start to go by faster eventually. Before you know it, you’ll be 1/4 of the way done, which is close to halfway done, with means the tour will soon be 3/4 of the way done and then before you know it, your loved one will be back!
So, to the soldiers of the 4-1 Armor: Good luck, stay safe and know that everyone back home is praying for and supporting you. To the families left behind: Be proud of your soldiers and proud of yourselves because you are heroes as well.
