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DEPLOYMENT a 'FAMILY AFFAIR' FOR FATHER, TWIN DAUGHTERS IN IRAQ
130th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs Office ^ | 1/13/04 | Jayme Loppnow

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.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: daughters; deployment; father; heroes; iraq; militaryfamilies; patriotism
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Amazing! God bless them and all our brave, self-sacrificing military!
1 posted on 01/18/2004 8:08:02 PM PST by STARWISE
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To: STARWISE
I would think the situation is very difficult on the wife/mother back home. Quite a bit of sacrifice for one family. Thanks to this family and all who serve.
2 posted on 01/18/2004 8:24:24 PM PST by Lawgvr1955 (Sic Semper Tyrannus)
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To: STARWISE
Good for them but....CONTRARY TO NOW, WOMEN DO NOT BELONG ON THE FRONT LINES!
3 posted on 01/18/2004 8:26:23 PM PST by KantianBurke (2+2 does NOT equal 5)
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To: Old Sarge; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Oh my -- you HAVE to read this Sarge! A good one for pinging Tonk!

God bless this family for their service and sacrifice!! WOW!
4 posted on 01/18/2004 8:27:57 PM PST by StarCMC (God protect the 969th in Iraq and their Captain, my brother...God protect them all!)
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To: StarCMC; Old Sarge; STARWISE; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LindaSOG; LaDivaLoca; Fawnn; Bethbg79; ...
Thank You Troops, past and present.

ACTIVE DUTY : Thank You for your servivce to our country.
No Matter where you are stationed. No matter what you do.
KNOW that the guys and gals in the military are not taking for granted.
5 posted on 01/18/2004 8:37:35 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: StarCMC; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Tonkin - just in case you didn't see it.

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.

6 posted on 01/18/2004 8:39:06 PM PST by Old Sarge (Operation Noble Eagle - We Stand Watch, So You Don't Have To.)
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To: STARWISE
You know, with stories like these, it's not too hard to imagine that fifty years from now the military will have become a true sub-culture within our nation with people being born into and staying within it their entire lives- all their values rooted in the military and warfare. Whole families being deployed in uniform, fighting alongside each other... A warrior class of people. It's like some kind of sci-fi story.
7 posted on 01/18/2004 8:42:52 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: ohioWfan
Read this and grin, ear-to-ear.
8 posted on 01/18/2004 8:43:26 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (I'm a Bush/JimBot and Proud of It!)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Good night Canteen. Good night troops. Thanks for all of your hard work. Thank you for protecting my children while they sleep. God bless you all, and your families. God bless America.


9 posted on 01/18/2004 8:50:19 PM PST by Diva Betsy Ross (Every heart beats true for the red ,white and blue!)
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To: Diva Betsy Ross
oops sorry meant for canteen...
10 posted on 01/18/2004 8:52:16 PM PST by Diva Betsy Ross (Every heart beats true for the red ,white and blue!)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
.

NEVER FORGET



Veterans - "WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 =


http://www.lzxray.com/iadrang_vets.htm



Signed:.."ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer / IA DRANG S-1 Personnel Clerk / Landing Zone Falcon


NEVER FORGET

.
11 posted on 01/18/2004 8:57:55 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 www.LZXRAY.com.)
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To: ALOHA RONNIE
NEVER FORGET
12 posted on 01/18/2004 8:59:52 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: ALOHA RONNIE
Hey, thanks for sharing that link with us.
That's a good collection of photos.
13 posted on 01/18/2004 9:08:14 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
I join in your gratitude, Tonk!
14 posted on 01/18/2004 9:16:58 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Prodigal Son
.

NEVER FORGET


Photo-RICK RESCORLA and our U.S. 7th Cavalry Petition for President BUSH to award him the Presidential Medal of FREEDOM...

for his saving 1,000's of lives before the World Trade Center's Tower 2 came crashing down on him on September 11, 2001 =


http://www.lzxray.com


NEVER FORGET
15 posted on 01/18/2004 9:21:18 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 www.LZXRAY.com.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Bump!
16 posted on 01/19/2004 2:37:23 AM PST by windchime (Podesta about Bush: "He's got four years to try to undo all the stuff we've done." (TIME-1/22/01))
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To: STARWISE
Hi, thanx for posting that......I fwded the photo around to some of my acqaintances, I think they'll be impressed. Sort of like a modern-day Sullivans (the five Irish-American sailors who were all killed in the same cruiser in Ironbottom Sound during the Guadalcanal campaign -- they had a destroyer named after them that had a big green shamrock painted on one of the funnels). This is a real Green Machine family -- and their Guardsmen!
17 posted on 01/19/2004 4:47:00 AM PST by lentulusgracchus (Et praeterea caeterum censeo, delenda est Carthago. -- M. Porcius Cato)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Hey, sailor......had a couple of amigos when I was in, in 1970-71, who were in the Yacht Club same time you were. One was a lieutenant named Fint Wallace, think he was NAVSUPPACT Saigon, and two were CWO2's, one on the USS Horne (DLG-?) named John Estes and one on the USS Boston (CAG-1, I think) named Harry S. "Pete" Gault, both of them old ET's who crawled up the hawsepipe. Know any of those guys?
18 posted on 01/19/2004 4:52:29 AM PST by lentulusgracchus (Et praeterea caeterum censeo, delenda est Carthago. -- M. Porcius Cato)
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To: lentulusgracchus
No, I'm sorry I dont.
BUT it was a long time ago!
19 posted on 01/19/2004 5:07:55 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Please God answer our prayers.)
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To: STARWISE; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; ...
   

Home sweet home, Camp Anaconda.

20 posted on 01/19/2004 5:19:49 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
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