“Missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will.” –Author Unknown.
They go for months, sometimes years, without seeing their family. Sometimes they do not even meet their child for the very first time until the child is old enough to walk and talk. Children are left behind as both of their parents are deployed, leaving them in the care of someone else. They put their lives on the line every day in order to protect this country and our way of life. The pride that is felt for these men and women of the military is anything but exiguous! Maybe it is because people do not live it and have to think about it until someone they know is risking their life… but to watch a mother with her son, or a soldier holding his child in his arms, that is about to be deployed will drop anyone to their knees!
Last night I had the opportunity to help make life a little better for those family members being left behind when their soldier deploys. I teamed up with Meagan of M. Fisher Photography to photograph the deployment ceremony held for a unit that is being deployed this Saturday. She and I lugged our backdrops and lights into the National Guard Armory and set up to provide family portraits for all fifty soldiers and their loved ones! And while this may not seem like much, let me tell you how appreciative these families were. Wives were nerveous, husbands were trying to be tuff, and moms were on the verge of tears… all the while telling Meagan and me how having a photo of their soldier with all of his or her family means the world to them. It was very difficult for me to keep my composure throughout this evening. This particular shot shows a mom with her three boys… all three being deployed at the same time. And even though we had fun while shooting with them, I can tell you that my heart was aching for them on the inside.
We also had the opportunity to grab a few shots while the ceremony was taking place. It was so touching to see these soldiers interact with their family and friends… especially when they didn’t know the camera was snapping. Daddies were loving on their babies, moms were wiping away their tears, dads were holding their heads high with pride, and many were bowing their heads in prayer.
This ceremony was put together by a group of women that truly moved me. These women are wives who organize a family support group for this unit. They put a lot of thought and effort into this ceremony, and it truly paid off. Among they mayor showing up and speaking to the soldiers and their families, wishing them a safe journey and a speedy return home, as well as praying over them all, the support group put together a program called Backpacks for Heros. Every single child that belonged to a soldier received a backpack full of goodies. Among the goodies were two very special items… one being a plush doll that holds a photograph. The idea behind this doll was that a photograph of the soldier would be inserted and the child would have the doll to hold onto while mom or dad was deployed. The second item that was very special was a dogtag that the soldier would be able to take with him or her, which also had a place to hold a photograph… so that a photo of the child could deploy with them as well.
I am so very thankful that I was asked to be a part of this deployment ceremony. Even though I have friends who’s husbands are currently deployed or are about to be deployed, I have never had the opportunity to take part in something like this. Seeing and feeling the tons of different emotions that were floating through this building is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life. It definitely made me come home and give my husband and children a very big hug. And even though I was praying for these soldiers and their family during my bedtime prayers, I also thanked God a little harder than I usually do for allowing me to be with my husband and children every night, and for not having to worry about their lives every day.
Thank you to all of the military men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our country and our freedom. Thank you for your bravery and your loyalty to this country. And thank you to all of the military wives and husbands who take care of business and support our soldiers here at home while they are away. Your jobs are just as important, and I don’t think I realized the extent of that until last night while getting to spend time with you all. You will all be in my prayers every single day! God Bless!
Toby Keith-American Soldier
I’m just trying to be a father,
Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at ‘em bright and early,
I’m all in my business suit,
Yeah, I’m dressed for success from my head down to my boots,
I don’t do it for money, there’s still bills that I can’t pay,
I don’t do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,
Providing for our future’s my responsibility,
Yeah I’m real good under pressure, being all that I can be,
And I can’t call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I’m solid, hey I’m steady, hey I’m true down to the core,
And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrafice,
Oh, and I don’t want to die for you,
But if dyin’s asked of me,
I’ll bear that cross with an honor,
‘Cause freedom don’t come free.
I’m an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty’s in jeopardy I will always do what’s right,
I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I’m an American,
An American,
An American Soldier
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