Written By Helen Weathers, Latent Print Expert training Afghanistan nationals in fingerprint technology

It has been over 2 years since I came to Afghanistan. Since 2008 I have now seen many, many soldiers go home under the cover of an American flag. Some would say it gets easier with each one we say goodbye to, yet it doesn’t. I have now come back for my 3rd deployment in as many years. I have sacrificed seeing my daughter grow up. I first left when she was 4 months old and now she is well over 2 ½ now. I have missed many of my son’s soccer games, school events, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween and his 10th birthday. Yet in my heart, I know I will be home soon to feel the arms of my children around me. I know I will make it to see their smiles again. I wish that more of the American people can grasp the duty of a Soldier, Airman, Marine, Sailor or Coast Guardsman. They give their lives for the freedom of the American people selflessly and would lay their life down for me, you or a stranger as I have seen. This conflict we are in, or war or whatever you choose to call it, has no end in sight. We can’t change where we are or how we got here. But I look to the future and I am humble that I am doing but a small part to allow a service member to share the warmth of a family hug around them when they return home. Regardless of your political views or opinions about where our military is or what they are doing, remember those fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this love of the American flag and what it stands for. Keep them in your hearts and prayers until they all come home.

Helen Weathers
Latent Print Expert