SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — While the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are long over, deployments are still happening, and military families are still facing time apart from their loved ones.
What You Need To Know
- Nearly 300 men and women are being deployed overseas with the Ohio Army National Guard, joining the 1,800 currently overseas
- Among those guardsmen is Devoleon Taylor, making this his 4th deployment
- Devoleon’s family shares the struggles of being apart from one another
Soon, 280 men and women from the Ohio National Guard will join around 1,800 others from the state who have been already deployed overseas. That’s compared to the 3,500 at the peak of the Iraq and Afghan conflicts.
Today’s deployments tend to be smaller and the missions shorter, but that doesn’t change the emotions for the families involved.
Among the crowd is Cheryl Taylor. It’s her husband Devoleon’s fourth deployment in this unit.
“You know, the moment that they, you know, play the music or something comes up on a screen or he walks out, you know, is kind of closer to the day when you have to say goodbye,” said Cheryl.
Devoleon’s leaving his wife, Cheryl, and three children at home, while overseas. In each deployment, they’ve stuck together, but he knows his absence, this time, will feel different.
“This particular deployment is going to be especially hard on us,” said Devoleon, “because my daughter is a senior. She’ll be a senior in high school. If I’m lucky enough, I’ll be home for graduation. ”
One less parent also puts pressure on his wife.
“Once your loved one or your spouse is off and overseas, you’re over here trying to make sure that you’re an emotional parent, and being the mom and dad for both your children,” said Cheryl.
But they said those challenges only make them stronger.
“Each time that he’s he goes away, he comes back a better person,” said Cheryl. “Every time that he’s over there, he teaches me how to be a better person and how to work through the things that we’re working through as a wife and, you know, as a couple.”
While time apart is tough, nothing will ever separate this family. No matter how far overseas Devoleon is, his love will always be for his family, just as much as his country.
“I truly understand that’s what the importance of this deployment means to our entire family,” said Devoleon, “and how strenuous it is or not just myself and my family at home. I love them.”
Back at home, his family couldn’t be any more proud.
“Well, I’m going to miss my husband,” said Cheryl, “and I just hope that, you know, bring him back safe. And, you know, we love you.”
