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Military Times | Congress needs to do better by troops deployed during holidays
After 22 years spread out between the U.S. Army and Navy, I lost track of all the Christmases, Thanksgivings, New Years and birthdays I spent deployed. What I do remember is the feeling of being away from my wife and daughters for each of those events.
This is the same story for many in the armed forces, especially when multiple deployments are the norm rather than the exception. We know our service will cost us meaningful time with those we love, but we do it because we love this country and have a duty to protect it. We do it for the people we are missing at home and for those around us, despite the frustrations we may feel.
Reflecting on my own experiences this time of year, the question that continues to surface is why American troops are still spending Thanksgivings and Christmases in harm’s way. If the country’s leaders are going to ask so much of its military — the missed holidays, the danger, and the willingness to sacrifice lives — they had better have legitimate reasons.
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