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An article from the Fort Hood Sentinel newspaper:
Lessons learned:
Hood family shares joys, troubles of mid-tour leave
By Mollie Miller, Sentinel Living Editor
“My stomach was in knots when I first heard that he was coming home,” Carol Hearron said as she recalled the day her husband, Spc. Michael Hearron, told her he was coming home from Iraq on mid-tour leave. “I didn’t know what to expect or how changed he would be. I didn’t know how he would feel seeing Alex [their 11-month-old son] after so long or how we would be with each other after such a long break. I just didn’t know what to think.”
For the past two weeks, the Hearron family has been busy getting to know each other again. A family vacation to visit relatives in Oklahoma, early morning play time with Alex, lazy days “knocking around the house,” patience, understanding and a whole lot of communication have all combined to make Michael’s two-week leave from Iraq, while not completely stress free, pleasant — and very educational.
Like many waiting spouses on Fort Hood, Carol said she had a picture in her head of what Michael’s return would be like. That fantasy, however, quickly went out the window when there was a mix-up with Michael’s return flight and Carol arrived at the Austin airport the day before her husband’s plane was due to arrive.
“I think of that trip as our trial run,” Carol recalled with a laugh.
Returning to the airport the next day, Carol and Alex awaited the arrival of Michael with great excitement, scanning the face of every man in uniform, noticing that not one of them was the soldier they were looking for. Fully engrossed in their search for a familiar face, Carol didn’t even notice that her husband was standing right beside her.
“I walked up to her, stood right in front of her and said hello before she even realized I was standing there,” said Michael.
Carol said that her husband’s arrival was nothing like she thought it would be.
“It was exciting but it was surreal too,” said Carol. “We went down to get his bags and I just kept thinking I can’t believe that he’s really here.”
Arriving home from the airport, the family encountered some of the first problems of the mid-tour leave — Michael didn’t know where anything was in the house anymore.
“He had a million questions,” said Carol. “I have to keep reminding myself that he didn’t know where stuff was because he’d been gone.”
Michael took the changes in stride, though, acknowledging that he knew everything wouldn’t be exactly as he left it when he deployed.
“There’s always going to be changes,” said Michael. “People are going to live their lives and carry on and I understand that.”
A few days into the reunion, one of the biggest problems of the mid-tour leave reared its head. Adding Michael back into the household mix seriously altered the schedule that Carol and Alex had perfected in the preceding months.
“I have a way of doing things and I like doing them my way, and Michael’s come in and kind of [changed] things around,” said Carol. “I am used to Alex having two naps, not one like now. I am used to cleaning at a certain time and doing laundry at a certain time, and that’s all been thrown off.”
Carol admits, however, that the schedule changes since Michael’s return aren’t all bad. With an extra set of hands around, she gets to sleep a little later in the mornings and Alex’s bath time is now a father-son activity.
Carol also said having Michael home has helped her relax a bit, saying that many of her friends have told her she has “mellowed out” since her husband returned home. Carol credits her “mellowing out” to knowing that Michael is safe and that she can see it with her own eyes.
“The best thing about having Michael home is being able to spend time together and getting to check him out and make sure that he’s OK,” said Carol. “Getting to hear all the stories, having a conversation that is more than a few static-filled minutes long, knowing that he’s all right and that the other guys are all right has made a huge difference.”
For Michael, the best thing about being home is knowing that Carol and Alex are doing well.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders knowing that they are OK, and I don’t have to rely on messages or quick phone calls to know that they are OK.”
Michael and Carol said they have learned a lot from each other during the past two weeks and offer the following advice to other families welcoming soldiers home on mid-tour leave or redeployment: “Be more patient, more understanding and don’t pressure your soldier to talk about things they don’t want to talk about - they’ll open up in their own time” said Michael.
“Practice patience and don’t expect anything,” said Carol. “Just play it by ear and take it one day at a time. That’s the only way we can do it.”
With the end of his mid-tour leave just a few days away, Michael noted that the hardest part of being home is knowing that he would soon have to say goodbye to his family again.
“The hardest part of the leave is knowing that it’s almost over,” said Michael. “It’s going to be hard to leave but I know that I have to because I have a job to do.”
Editor’s note: Spc. Michael Hearron returned to the Iraqi Theater of Operations Oct. 27.
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Web Pages of Interest
Those who have been reading these updates a long time know about the following web sites - for our newcomers here are three excellent sites where you can find pictures, news stories, and other items of interest about the 4ID in Iraq:
http://pao.hood.army.mil/4id/ - The official 4th Infantry Division web page. It contains all the issues of the weekly 4ID newsletter "Ironhorse Desert News", pictures from Iraq, and stories from 4ID reporters in Iraq. It also has the 4ID organization chart and other interesting information on the 4ID.
www.1-22infantry.org - A web site dedicated to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment. In addition to pictures and stories from Iraq, this page covers the history of our battalion from the War of 1812 up to today. Lots of great work done by the three Vietnam vets who devote many hours to the site. There are also lots of 1-22 pictures from Vietnam and some from WWII as well as Iraq pictures and information.
www.a-1-8.org - This web site is focused on Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment but has pictures from many 4ID sources. It also has the story many of you enjoyed a couple of weeks ago by Pvt Miller's Mom - "What It Means to be the Mother of a Soldier". Lots of Iraq news, pictures, and other news about 1-8 from WWII to the present, plus some general 4ID veterans news of interest. This site is run by a Vietnam vet who is the Executive Director of the National 4th Infantry Division Association and his son.
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Every day I get lots of requests and notes for inclusion in the daily update. I've been thinking about this one for a week or two now and finally decided to include it. I like the idea a lot - but can not vouch for the lady sending me the note, I do not know her.
So, with that disclaimer on my part, I ask those of you who are interested in participating in this effort to contact Bee at the web page shown below. She will give you more details on what she's looking for. Personally, I'm anxious to read the finished product after our 4ID soldiers get home next year.
Call for Submissions: "Women Write the War"
As the mother of a 4ID soldier stationed in Iraq, writing has helped me deal with my feelings. Some weeks after my son left for Iraq on April 4, 2003, I started on the book, "Women Write the War", stories about the war from a woman's perspective. I am constantly looking for other women who would like to share their stories with me. Please add your voice to this work and let your story be told.
Who am I?
My name is Bee Pedersen. In addition to being a soldier's mom and author, I'm happily married and a mother of 3 boys. For more information about me and my latest book, a humorous look at women in their forties, visit www.beepedersen.net and www.thefortyfitters.net.
What am I looking for?
I am looking for all kinds of stories happy, funny, proud, or sad. Stories from women soldiers, moms, wives, sisters, fiancés, significant others, you name it! How have you dealt with your loved ones being in Iraq? How have you dealt with being in Iraq? What's it like when they come home? What's it like when they don't?
What Will I Do with Your Stories?
At this point, I plan to weave our stories together into a stirring account of many different voices, viewpoints, and experiences. The end product will depend entirely on the submissions I receive. I wish to present a true and honest picture of our brave soldiers and their families from a woman's perspective, create a lasting legacy of true stories, how our wartime experiences affected our lives. Please add your voice to this work and let your story be told.
For those of you requesting that identifying information about you and/or your soldier be kept anonymous, I will respect your wishes. When you submit your story, please change the name of the person so as to protect their/your privacy.
The book will be dedicated to our brave soldiers and their families.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
4 November 1944 - D+152
Only two small enemy patrols were reported. Harassing small arms fire was
again directed at our front line troops.
The 8th and 12th Infantry continued the same activities. The 22nd Infantry continued patrolling, placed harassing fire, long-range fire from machine guns, and a 57 mm antitank gun on enemy positions. It made plans for relief on 5 November by elements of the CT 39, 9th Infantry Division. Reconnaissance was made of the area in the vicinity of Krinkelt for contemplated new assembly area.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) I heard from my daughter this Saturday from Tikrit. She said she's waiting for March to go home and can't wait to see everybody. She wants velveta or kraft mac n chez sent out. Also a video of everyone from halloween. She wants dvd's for xmas anything for normal entertainment. I am pleased she is good and healthy and has a sense of humor. She is with the 704th DSB, Fort Hood. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the soldiers that gave their lives for the freedom of USA. Veterans day is coming up on the 11th, and it's a reminder of all our soldiers that died for our freedom. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!
2) Heard from our Soldier son yesterday. He sounded a lot better this time! Said his # is 61 and may be home in Dec. for his two weeks. Every thing is OK he said and not to worry. Ha, that's for him to say! All mothers worry any way. It was so good to hear his voice and know every thing is all right with him. Proud Mom of CO B 890th En. National Guard Soldier!
3) I just wanted to thank the person who told us about her son who goes on guard at Camp Warhorse and telling us that no mortars were shot last night. My husband is in Camp Warhorse. Last night was a very emotional night for me with all these casualties going on. I just cried so hard last night, if anyone even tried to talk to me I wouldn't be able to talk back. So I thank you for that story you shared with us. I also thank the one about her husband staring at the popcorn waiting for it to pop...that made me laugh and I sure did need the laugh. I think that image will be stuck in my head throughout the day. There were a couple other stories that helped me a lot too. But my point to all is - don't ever keep your stories to yourself because you never know who it might help, even if its just the littlest thing that some people that aren't in this situation wouldn't care about. I know all our readers care about it all. I don't even know how I'd be handling this whole deployment if it weren't for all of you AND BOB. God Bless Our Troops with a Safe and Speedy Return! All the soldiers and family's are in my prayers along with the family's who have lost a loved one.
4) My son, 1-68 Armor, B Company, called me from Kuwait yesterday. He's on his way home for R&R and should arrive in Maryland on Wed., 11/5. Words cannot describe how incredibly sad I was when I heard that so many soldiers had died or were wounded in the downed helicopter while in route home. I stayed in prayer most of the day because my son was due to leave Iraq the same day. My phone was flooded with phone calls from many friends when they heard the news report that the soldiers were all from Ft. Carson. I'm truly blessed to be supported by such good friends. There were no calls from family members because my son made me promise NOT to tell my family about his return home, he wanted to surprise them all. At first I thought it was a bad idea, but none the less respected his wishes not to tell. As it turns out, not telling turned out to be such a blessing because my family had no idea that Chris could have been on that helicopter. My prayers go out to all the families that have lost their loved ones.
5) Well, 4:45 am was a little early this morning - but when the phone rang and it was our daughter (with 2nd Chemical Battalion, 46th Chem Co, stationed at Taji) - my husband and I were thrilled. It's been over a month since we've heard her voice - so this was a treat. She was pulling guard duty, but they let her come in from the field to make her 10 minute call. It took 4 tries - the sattelite phone kept disconnecting - but we did get our 10 minutes in. She sounded good - pretty upbeat and not overtired. We asked, and she does have electricity at this duty station,
but its 220 rather than 110. We're looking for a used Hot plate for cooking Thanksgiving dinner - it seems they don't have one where she is. We continue to remember our daughter as well as all of our service people in our prayers.
6) Just wanted to let you know that we heard from our son. He is with the 1-68, HHC from Ft. Carson. Excerpts from the letter..... He said all is good and that they appreciate all the cards, letter, packages and prayers. Keep them coming. They had a Halloween decorating party a few weeks ago and a little celebration. Mom, thanks for helping to keep the morale high. They were very busy with raids and patrols so would I tell everyone thanks for everything as he didn't know when he would have time to write all of them. He also stated that he had given up his spot for mid leave tour to the married soldiers and the ones with pregnant wives back home.
He will be home in March or April and said he hoped we were not disappointed with him for doing this. No, we are not. We are very proud of him. Thanks for everything and cya soon. Take care and God Bless.
7) I just thought that I would let you know that I heard from my husband on Monday. He is with A Co 1-22 in Tikrit. Although he has some form of pneumonia he is doing good and is scheduled to come home for mid-tour leave on November 16. I can't wait to see his face when he sees his 4 month old baby girl for the first time. It will be a wonderful two weeks with he gets here. My daughter and myself will both cherish those two weeks until he comes home in April when we can be with him all the time.
8) 147 Days and a Wake-up! I love the count down and anticipation of my husband returning. My "Welcome Home Banner" is getting longer by the day. This time is very exciting for me, but it is also exciting for my friends and family around me. We must remember that many wonderful people have stepped up to "support our soldiers" while overseas and although their giving to the worthy cause should not expect anything in return (which I am sure they don't), let us not forget to share the joy of the returns and GOOD things with them too. Just as we are to share each other's burdens and mourn togther, we are also called to share each other's joy and rejoice together! So take the time to share some of the good stuff and pass it around, because although we continue to have losses we also continue to have a lot of gains....plus they ARE coming home! How many more days and a wake-up?
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