FOUNTAIN, Colo. —
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.”
Top Stories
Related Photos
-
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 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
-
In this Dec. 9, 2012 photo, roughly a week back from Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn tries to feed their baby Emma, age 14 months, as his wife Leanne watches, at home in Fountain, Colo. When Dunn returned from Afghanistan he and Emma had not seen each other since she was 5 months old. As is typical with long deployments and babies, Emma had little clear memory of her father when he came home, and it has taken some weeks for the child to accept his role as a parent. AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
-
In this Dec. 23, 2012 photo, three weeks back home from the war in Afghanistan, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn and his wife Leanne pray during services at their church, in Colorado Springs, Colo. On war and coming home, Dunn says: "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." AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
-
In this Dec. 8, 2012 photo, roughly a week back from Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn cuts a Christmas in an area of National Forest reserved for seasonal cutting, as his wife Leanne carries their baby Emma in a backpack, outside Woodland Park, Colo. Asked about switching gears from warfighter to family man, Dunn says: "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's 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." AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
-
In this Dec. 24, 2012 photo, over three weeks back home from the war in Afghanistan, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn drinks a beer in his garage with a neighbor to stopped by to say hello on Christmas Eve, in Fountain, Colo. Getting back to the routines and simple pleasures of his American life has been a joy for Aaron. AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
Discussion
Soldier adjusts to life at home after Afghanistan
- Top Stories
-
-
Memorial Day travelers bemoan high gas prices
Norm Hayward and his wife, Claudia, have a couple of things going for them as they continue their increasingly expensive motor home trip around parts of the United States. For starters, the Phoenix, Ariz., couple are saving on hotel costs.
-
Joplin team drove through storm to get to Moore
It was a long drive in the middle of a severe thunderstorm that had earlier produced a massive tornado in Moore, Okla. With the two-year anniversary of Joplin’s deadly twister approaching on Wednesday, a team of 14 Joplin emergency workers was ready to risk the trip in order to get help to a hurting Moore.
-
Cunningham Park vandalism estimated at $4,000
Vandals caused an estimated $4,000 worth of damage in Cunningham Park, draining the pool in the aquatic center of about 200,000 gallons of water and throwing some large landscaping rocks into the reflecting pond.
-
Joplin Board of Education to decide fate of East Middle School teacher
After hearing nearly 10 hours of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and accepting more than 45 exhibits into evidence, members of the Joplin Board of Education voted to move behind closed doors Thursday night to decide whether Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School, will continue to teach.
-
Content of book, students' access to it at issue in hearing for suspended teacher
A standing-room only crowd is present at the hearing this morning to decide the fate of suspended Joplin Middle School teacher Randy Turner, who has asked for the hearing before the board of education.
-
Southeast Kansas foundation accepts donations for Moore
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is accepting donations to assist the victims of the Moore, Okla., tornado.
-
Demonstrators show support for suspended teacher
Most were carrying blue-and-white signs that said “Support Turner,” a reference to Randy Turner, a middle school teacher who was removed from his classroom and placed on administrative leave last month after an investigation by school district officials.
-
Awards mark Joplin observance of tornado anniversary
Joplin will serve as the beacon for resilient recovery from a disaster to communities across the United States, including recently hit Moore, Okla., said the nation’s secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.
-
Federal, state leaders salute Joplin’s recovery
A deadly May twister may have punched a hole in Joplin and Duquesne two years ago, but the resolve to repair it will help other communities stand strong when they face similar disasters. That was the message of state and national diginitaries to a crowd of about 2,500 who observed the second anniversary of Joplin’s devastating May 22, 2011, storm during a ceremony Wednesday in Cunningham Park.
-
Banner from Joplin to be sent to Moore residents
A giant vinyl banner adorned with heartfelt messages from Joplin tornado survivors to the residents of Moore, Okla., became a centerpiece of Wednesday’s observance of the two-year anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
- More Top Stories Headlines
-
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
