Guardsmen missed during holidays

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Megan Larson, left, and Brandy Reep talk on the WCPI radio show “Viewpoints” about dealing with the holidays while their husbands are deployed in Iraq with the National Guard. (James Clark photo)

If our local National Guardsmen were home for Christmas, it was only in a dream.

That’s because our soldiers are beginning their year-long deployment in Iraq instead of spending time around the Christmas tree with their families. It was expected to be a difficult time and relatives of those soldiers confirmed exactly that during interviews on WCPI radio show “Viewpoints.”

“It’s hard this time of year when you want to be with them but you can’t,” said Megan Larson, wife of Spc. Matt Larson. “When I talk to him, I just let him know I love him and I’m proud of what he’s doing.”

Rebecca Hodge, mother-in-law to Sgt. Michael Reep, said soldiers are doing their best to make Iraq feel like home.

“That’s all they talk about is their fellow soldiers, their friends. They’re like a family,” said Hodge. “They send pictures and they’ve adopted a puppy so they’re trying to make it like home. With digital cameras and the Internet, it’s a different world.”

Michael’s wife, Brandy, said he doesn’t talk about military specifics during their conversations so as not to worry her. One example of this is the recent headlines about appropriate vehicle armor. Brandy says Michael hasn’t said a word about it.

“He doesn’t say anything because he’s afraid it might scare me,” said Brandy.

Glenda Cox, mother of Spc. Jarred Cox, said she was “scared to death” when she discovered the local National Guard would be deployed in Iraq. Megan said she and Matt didn’t want to believe the troop would actually be deployed until the end.

“It was a case of being in denial,” said Megan. “We keep thinking it would be called off because we thought it would cost too much money.”

The four women agreed that not having their husband or son around is a luxury that’s often taken for granted. Retired Col. Thomas B. Vaughan, who served in Vietnam and who co-hosts the show, said the soldiers will miss many more luxuries we commonly take for granted.

“I guarantee you those guys won’t take the little things for granted anymore,” said Vaughan. “Something as simple as a cup of coffee or taking a shower won’t be so simple.”

As for what would happen if Matt returns with eyes on a military career, Megan said that idea would require some discussion.

“I don’t know if I want to go through another deployment,” Megan said. “He better check with me before he signs on the dotted line.”