Posted on 01/18/2004 8:08:01 PM PST by STARWISE
HANAU, Germany -- Even though he was deployed to Iraq at the time, Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Henry was able to spend time with his 22-year-old twin daughters over Christmas, opening gifts together, celebrating midnight Mass and sharing a holiday dinner. Only Henry wasn’t at home on R&R, he was with his daughters at the base all three have called home since their unit deployed from Minnesota more than nine months ago.
The Henrys, from Royalton, Minn. – Dan and Spcs. Amy and Amanda Henry -- are all part of the National Guard’s 142nd Engineer Battalion, currently attached to V Corps’ 130th Engineer Brigade. All three have gone to war together, shared in missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and live in tents right next to each other on Logistical Support Area Anaconda, near Balad.
“It has been difficult being in a combat zone with my daughters,” said 50–year-old Dan. “Their tent is right across from mine, so I have been aware of the danger that they’ve been in while in this situation. I must say, though, that I am very proud of them for the strength they have shown and the support they have provided to me.”
The family has occasionally worked together on missions, pouring concrete at the base and completing various carpentry projects, but because they are in different platoons, they generally work apart.
“It has been nice having family here,” said Amy. “It’s reassuring to know that you always have someone here that you can talk to or hang out with.” “It was especially nice to have family to celebrate with during the holidays,” added Amanda.
As comforting as having family in a war zone may be, there are also disadvantages, said Amy.
“Sometimes it’s a little nerve-wracking when something happens,” she said. “It’s hard to concentrate on yourself when you’re worrying about your family.”
Amy says the initial convoy into Iraq was daunting because the Henrys were all in different vehicles, but at the same time, they were able to console each other during those unsettling days.
“It was a scary time with all of the unknowns,” said Amy. “I know my Dad worried about us a lot, which was difficult to see. It was tough worrying about everyone along the way. We were always there for each other, though. We could share our concerns and worries with each other. It was great having that kind of support during such an uncertain time.”
The twins said having a father who is a senior noncommissioned officer has been a blessing for them, as he is always keeping a watchful eye on them and serving as a mentor.
“He has been a great role model for us as an NCO and a very hard worker,” said Amanda. “It is kind of nice, because he knows what’s going on and helps us out if we need it.”
Off duty in Iraq, the family tries to spend quality time together playing cards, attending church, and sharing meals at the base dining facility.
“Being together every day has definitely brought us closer,” said Dan. “We are each other’s support.”
Serving in the military seems to be a family affair for the Henrys. Another Henry sibling – 18-year-old Jessica -- also belongs to the same unit, but is waiting to attend advanced individual training, and didn’t deploy to Iraq with the rest of the crew.
Dan’s 18 years of military service and the National Guard youth camps his daughters attended may have played a role in their decisions to join, he said.
As if it’s not enough to have their father with them in Iraq, Amy and Amanda’s boyfriends are also in the 142nd, and deployed right alongside them.
“It is nice to just unwind at night and watch a movie together,” said Amy. “I see how much my Dad misses my Mom, and feel very fortunate (that we are) here with our boyfriends. My Dad and Mom have such a great relationship … we hope to have that some day.”
On the home front in Minnesota, Dan’s wife Mary, the twins’ mother, said having three family members to worry about in Iraq has taken a lot out of her.
“It has been very challenging,” said Mary. “I try to focus on the positive and get through each day, so I have enough energy to support Dan, Amanda and Amy over in Iraq and also the rest of the family here at home.”
A strong network of family, friends and co-workers has helped her get through the long months, Mary said, as well as keeping in contact with her charges in Iraq almost daily by e-mail or telephone.
“Dan almost never fails to send me an e-mail every day (to tell) me how he is doing or just to say, ‘I love you,’” she said.
For his part, Dan says he prepared Mary before the deployment with a list of household duties for which he was normally responsible, leaving her a year’s supply of salt pellets to add to the water softener and telling her how often to check the natural gas tank and furnace filter.
“I really never knew that furnaces had filters that needed to be changed,” she said. “He made things easier by preparing me and showing me these things that were foreign to me about maintaining a home.”
With two children still at home -- Cassandra, 15, and Ryan, 9 -- Mary says she now empathizes with single mothers.
“It's not easy taking care of a house and raising a family alone,” she said. “I can do it and keep my kids’ lives as normal as possible … it’s hard, but what is harder is the emotional hurt of missing them all so badly and worrying about their safety. I just have to put my faith in God.”
Mary said she is proud of how Dan, Amy and Amanda have gotten through the deployment with positive attitudes and their commitment to their county. She added that their deployment together turned out to be a blessing.
“We are all very fortunate that they have been able to be together throughout this whole deployment. I do believe that it would have made things a lot more difficult for us all if that hadn't been the case. This has been a challenging adventure that some day we will look back on and say, ‘Hey, we made it!!’”
Amy said she is equally proud of her mother’s skill at keeping things together while they are away.
“My mom has been our support here,” she said. “She is an amazing woman and is also a role model to us both as a strong and independent woman.”
The Henrys remain positive in Iraq and look forward to the day they’re all home again, sharing their experiences at LSA Anaconda.
“Ten years from now we’ll be able to look back and share war stories together,” said Dan.
“We were able to see so many interesting things along the way,” said Amanda. “It is going to be enjoyable reminiscing about all the things we have seen here and the things we did together.”
We've got a few of these situations throughout the Guard, one rightchere in Kentucky - Dad, Mom, and Daughter, in one unit.
There are a bunch of father/son teams in other states, as well. Haven't heard a cross word yet.
Home sweet home, Camp Anaconda. 
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