I joined the Air Force in December of 98’. I vividly remember the details of 9/11 and little did I know at the time that the events that unfolded would change the rest of my life. The reality of that day never set in until reporters confirmed the planes were hijacked and that others were still aloft. The United States was helpless. The brave souls on board the hijacked planes did everything possible to try to sabotage the hijackers but it was too late. I remember being activated to go overseas not really knowing why or where I would be stationed. This created a lot of stress and anxiety as I was leaving my family, the woman I had fallen madly in love with, and not knowing how long I was going to be deployed.

I was fortunate to be stationed in Qatar during the Operation Iraqi Freedom Air Campaign of 03’. Three years later I went to Iraq in October 06’ as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was not concerned about that trip as I was stationed at Balad Air Base/LSA Anaconda, better known to other branches as a “Fobbit”. We were mortared and rockets fired at us and it became a violent game of “catch me if you can”. It seemed to add excitement to the Groundhog Day lifestyle we were living.

It is through my experience that I have learned that our country’s greatest heroes are not just our troops, but our troop’s families as well.