Eric's Squadron left at 3am on Tuesday morning. The timing was difficult for everyone. The kids were supposed to be in bed and instead they were up after midnight in the pjs saying goodbye to their dads. The wives were emotional and the timing seemed to magnify everything. Our group of friends sat in the parking lot in a large circle. We didn't really do much talking, we just hung out together and enjoyed our last hour or two with a completed group. Wyatt was pretty good considering the time of night, or should I say morning.
For all of you that aren't really in touch with what's going on in Iraq anymore, let me fill you in on some important details.
You remember when Pres. Bush said he'd raise the number of troops in Iraq? The press called it a "surge". Well what is really happening is that troops that have already been to Iraq twice (that's 2years away from their families out of the past 6)are headed over again. PLUS, the Army raised its tour of duty from 12 months to 15 months. All the other branches go for 6 months at a time. So when you meet a family that is military - especially Army, make sure you not only thank the soldier, but thank the spouse - running a household and being separated from your spouse for over a year isn't an easy thing to endure.