1). My dad.
2). My mom, older sister, family friend.
3). My dad's deployment to Iraq.
4). Historical Feature.
5)
1- Where did you serve?
Cob...Contingiency Operating Base, Spcicaer, outside of a town called Tikrit, central-northern Iraq.
2- Has anyone else in your family been deployed?
No.
3- How did you feel when you were deployed? --
4- Did you know anyone you served with before you left?
Yes. A lot of people, actually.
5- How was the atmosphere during your stay?
It was all routine, business. We're all there to do a job; it's not like you're on vacation. We work six days a week.
6- How was the weather? --
7- What did you do in your spare time?
Well, sometimes we'd work out, sometimes I'd go to a movie, sometime's I'd go to the MWR and hang out. A lot of times I'd just watch TV in my room. Sudoku. I did a lot of Sudoku. I had a whole book.
8- Was there something you did to keep you going? --
9- How was the food?
It was all contractor meals. So, it was--it wasn't bad; it just wasn't home-cooked food.
10- How often did you get to talk to the people back home?
Every day.
11- What was the worst part about the war? --
12- Why did you join the military?
To pay for school.
13- Was it your first time out of the country?
No.
14- Was it any different from your first deployment?
Oh, yeah. Much different.
16- How long were you there?
One year. Twelve months. Plus six months train-up. So I was gone for a year and a half.
17- Was there anything good about your stay?
Well, I mean, you make--you make friends.
18- What did you miss most about home?
Home-cooked food, meals. Pot roast.
(Pot roast?)
Well, yeah.
19- How did it feel, coming back home?
Well, it was kind of--there was an adjustment period. So in some cases, it was kind of scary.
20- Is there anything that sticks out to you?
We used to do...every other Wednesday night, we'd have a barbecue. You'd go to the PX and buy a steak, and you'd go to the barbecue and everybody'd cook their steaks.
6) Treva
1- How did you feel when he had to leave?
Mmm...Well, this is his second one, so, I mean...I was better prepared, maybe, than I was for the first time? Cause, you know, it's still hard, It's a big deal, you know, emotionally.
2- What was it like without him at home?
Mmm...Um, I guess, at that point, it was really just Mom and I at the house. It was, uh...she and I just got into a routine of things, of just the two of us at home. We always sent emails and letters and stuff...kept in contact.
3- Do you remember how his arrival back home played out?/How did his arrival back home play out?
4- What did you talk about over the phone?
Um, just kind of caught up, I guess. He would tell me about what was going on, and I would do the same.
5- How did you feel when he returned?
It was always emotional, you know? I always cried everytime he came home...but it was always exciting. Happy-joy-joy.
Mom
1- Um, well, a little proud of the service he was doing. A little worried for how he would get things done here while he was gone. A little worried about the challenges that would come up. This one was a little easier than the one before, though, because Treva was old enough to drive, and could help with the transportation piece--for getting everybody where they needed to be.
2- Well, it's not easy, but...you do what you have to do to get by. And you have friends that help--and you hate to call on folks, but you do when you have to call them. Treva could help get you (Jaye) to and from school, since my job takes me out of down somewhat regularly. I just take care of whatever needs to be done here--cause it's hard enough for him there without having to worry about stuff here. He has plenty to worry about there--so, this is not a worry he needs to worry about.
3- We went to the airport and we made the signs..."Welcome home." He flew in to the Austin Bergstram Airport. We weren't allowed to go past security, so we had to wait for him downstairs at baggage claim. He'd had a layover, and because of terrorist things that were going on, they didn't travel in uniform, so he was in civilian clothes. We had to wait until we saw him at the top of the stairs on the landing. Then, it was...we stopped Denny's on the way home for a grilled-cheese sandwich and chocolate milk, and it was kind of late.
4- Really, just kind of...what we were doing. How the kids were changing, and what they were doing. It's also when you confirm those little questions that you need to know, such as..."Where did we put this?" or "What did we use as the password for this file on the computer?" Just kind of catch up on the day.
His first deployment, we could call--use the cell phone, and call, but texting was the big communication. Second deployment, we did a little more of the email, and cell phones...and the third, we Skyped--all the time. Which was great. We could actually see each other's faces, versus just talking.
with the computer, he could get online and order stuff that he needed, or wanted
5- Happy he was home safe, and then one of the biggest challenges was...having him fit back into our new routine. It was nice to have the extra set of hands there.
Jackie
1- Concerned, worried that he had to go in harm's way, and sad that he was gonna miss his family while he was gone.
2- (What were your observations of the Richards without him?) The three of them worked really well together, making sure they were all where they need to be at the right time, and they were all taking care of each other.
3- (How did you feel when he returned?) Relieved. Anxious to get together with him, to get find out how it went for him, to get his impression. Ready for him to join us for our weekly dinners again.
4- (What were your observation of the Richards family after he got home?) It seemed like he...like they all fell right back into their regular routines fairly easily. It was nice--I could tell they were all generally less agitated, worried. Life went back to normal really quickly. They went back to doing those little things they always did--Treva and Bill playfully arguing about something or other, things like that.
7). The military will pay up to 100% of college tuition.
8). Probably around the weekend after Thanksgiving for my mom and dad, and in the week after for my sister and friend.
9). At home, and in Waco.
10). Take notes.
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