Tech helping military families stay connected
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — The men and women of the 135th Sustainment Command returned to the Birmingham Air National Guard Base amidst cheers and applause. They had spent most of their deployment in Kuwait helping ship ammunition and supplies for operations across ten countries across the Middle East. Now, they are home.
Despite their safe return, Master Sergeant Donna Johnson admits much has been lost during the last ten months,"I miss the graduations of one of my granddaughters, I miss my grandson crossing over to be an Alpha man, and I miss the birthday's, I miss the holidays and I'm going to celebrate all of them."
Johnson had served three decades in the U.S. Army. She plans to retire after this deployment. Just a few feet away stood Staff Sergeant John Wright who returned home from his first deployment. He was holding his 8-month-old daughter, Maci Danielle for the first time. It was not the first time this young father had seen his youngest daughter. Wright and his wife, Caroline used FaceTime once or twice a week to stay in touch during her pregnancy and the first months Maci's life.
"It makes it a whole lot easier. You know? I mean it's hard when they're gone but at least you get to see them and know they're okay," said Caroline Wright.
The soldiers say the deployment meant 10-12 hour work days, six days a week on the other side of the world. It wasn't easy. Seeing the faces of their families on the other end of a screen helped. Technology has changed a soldier's life. During Operation Desert Storm it took three weeks for a hand written note to arrive in the United States. Another three weeks were needed before any reply could be received. Alabama National Guard's Major General Sheryl Gordon was quick to point out some things still have not changed.
"Nothing can beat being in touch and that first hug when you get home from a deployment and to see the joy on their faces and to see actually how well they're doing and know that they're home and they're going to be home."