Soldier adjusts to life at home after Afghanistan
By BRENNAN LINSLEYBy BRENNAN LINSLEY, Associated Press?
?In this Nov. 30, 2012. photo, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn kisses his wife Leanne, holding their baby Emma, age 14 months, as they reunite during an arrival ceremony for soldiers returning from a deployment in Afghanistan, at Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colo. 1st Lt. Dunn, with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, had not seen his wife and baby since he deployed in March. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this Nov. 30, 2012. photo, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn kisses his wife Leanne, holding their baby Emma, age 14 months, as they reunite during an arrival ceremony for soldiers returning from a deployment in Afghanistan, at Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colo. 1st Lt. Dunn, with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, had not seen his wife and baby since he deployed in March. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this Nov. 30, 2012 photo, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn walks with his wife Leanne, holding their baby Emma, after they they reunited at an arrival ceremony for soldiers returning from a deployment in Afghanistan, at Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Dunn deployed to the Hindu Kush mountains close to the border with Pakistan, where his unit was charged with engaging Taliban fighters, and with mentoring Afghan Government soldiers who will soon be left to fight alone as U.S. combat forces steadily draw down after more than ten years. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this Nov. 30, 2012 photo, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn enters his home before sunrise on the morning of his return from a deployment in Afghanistan, in Fountain, Colo. Many soldiers returning home after long deployments describe the change as welcome, but also overwhelming at first. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this Nov. 30, 2012 photo, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn removes his belongings from his army duffel bag, on the morning of his return from a deployment in Afghanistan, in Fountain, Colo. Asked what he'll miss about Afghanistan, Dunn says: "Probably getting to do my job. It's one thing to train, but its a whole different thing when you are actually doing what you have worked so hard at during training. The rewards are there." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this Dec. 9, 2012 photo, roughly a week back from Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn walks into his living room, his wife Leanne cooking in the the kitchen, and their baby Emma walks nearby, in Fountain, Colo. Asked what he'll miss about Afghanistan, Dunn says: "Probably getting to do my job. It's one thing to train, but its a whole different thing when you are actually doing what you have worked so hard at during training. The rewards are there." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
FOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) ? First Lt. Aaron Dunn deployed to Afghanistan in early March 2012. His 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was charged with engaging Taliban fighters in Kunar Province and mentoring Afghan government soldiers. Upon returning, here are some of his views.
Coming home:
"War and coming home are going to mean different things to each soldier. For me it was God and family. I get my security in life from my hope in God, and my companionship and support from my family. I really didn't worry too much during deployment, because of that faith."
Support for those serving:
"For a lot of soldiers, it's the family back home that drives them. Support from family and friends is very important. Support is also important from the American public.. Often times a simple thank you is enough."
The emotional toll:
"In my opinion, it's tougher on the families, especially after the unit takes a casualty.. I personally can't imagine waiting, not knowing if your loved one is alive or even all right, and having a panic each time a car drives by your driveway thinking it's the military chaplain and escort coming to see you."
Making up for the lost time with family:
"A lot of people seem to think that 'quality time' will make up for a long absence. It doesn't. Its 'quantity time' that does that. It is the time spent doing things that are fun, but also the time spent doing the daily chores, and other routines that firmly bring a family together. Emma was 5 months old when I deployed, and 14 months old when I returned. I was able to stay in touch with the family and had the luck to watch Emma begin to crawl via Skype."
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