| Dad has a little piece of home with him in Iraq |
|
|
| Thursday, 17 September 2009 | ||
|
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Union Editor In a family business, it’s not uncommon to have a father and daughter working together. But when that mission takes them to Iraq, for the Minnesota Army National Guard, it creates extraordinarily strong family ties.
His daughter, Pfc. Jacki Crotteau, an intelligence specialist, is also serving with the Red Bulls at Contingency Operating Base Basra. This is David’s second deployment, but his first time in Iraq (his first deployment was to Kosovo). But as a full-time member of the National Guard based in Rosemount, he has supported many Army missions. Jacki, 19, is a recent graduate of St. Francis High School, and joining the Army was an impulse decision and a surprise for her family. “I didn’t want to go to college right away,” said Jacki. “I figured the military would give me experiences that college couldn’t.” For the Crotteau family of Oak Grove, especially four kids Darcie, Matthew, Jacki and Josh, military life is all they have ever known, said wife and mom Susan Crotteau. “The kids grew up running around the Anoka Armory,” she said. “It wasn’t what I expected for Jacki, but she has transitioned into it really well.” Serving overseas Any dad is protective of his daughter, but David has to be careful to keep his concern in check while in Iraq. Jacki has made it very clear that she is headstrong and wants to take care of herself, but that goes against a father’s instinct. “When things happen outside the tent I worry,” he said. “I want to protect her.” Jacki is determined to work hard to establish her own identity. But since David’s military career spans 30 years, many people in the section have known Jacki since she was a toddler. “I wouldn’t want to make any of them mad,” she jokes. “They have a lot of ammunition on me.” When not working, David and Jacki spend plenty of time together – eating meals with their extended family of Guardsmen nearly every day and going to Sunday church services each week. David said the deployment has strengthened the bond he has with his daughter. “Our family is used to me being gone, but Jacki more closely identifies with the sacrifices I’ve had to make in my military career,” he said. Future David’s tour is expected to be up in February, when he will return to the U.S. Jacki may stay longer. By August 2010 the U.S. military plans to cease combat operations in Iraq and much of the section’s work is focused on that goal, said David. “It is a really busy time because of the transition,” said David. As a senior officer, the work is never-ending. For now, some of their free time is spent craving summertime treats from home. What do they miss? “Corn on the cob, grilling,” said Jackie wistfully. David added that he’s been thinking about State Fair food. “Food is a big deal over here,” said Jackie. “We talk about it a lot.” The home front While the deployment has been a challenge for David and Jacki, they do have each other to lean on. Back home, it has not been easy for Susan Crotteau, who spent this summer as an empty nester. Her husband and daughter were in Iraq, her youngest Josh was off to basic training and two oldest children Darcie and Matthew are grown and on their own. “I think it’s easier for us because this was our choice,” said Jacki. “It’s harder for my mom. She never chose this.” Susan acts as chief supporter, financial manager along with being a long-distance wife and mom. “When you call home it’s like calling a psychiatrist,” said David. “She knows when we’re feeling up or down just by talking to us.” Jacki said her mom is always encouraging, telling her to hang in on the tough days, that she’ll be home soon. “We never have to worry about anything at home,” she said. On her own “The hardest thing has been all the good-byes,” said Susan. On Monday she picked up David from the airport, home from Iraq for two weeks of what the Army calls “R and R.” “When he goes back, it will be the last good-bye until they all come home.” Susan admits that it is lonely at times, and even though David and Jacki are on what is considered to be a relatively safe mission, she worries. But she tries to keep busy, has two dogs and her own mom has made it her mission to keep Susan’s weekends full. She works at Wal-Mart’s administrative office at the store’s Elk River location and says she has a strong support network of friends and family. Fortunately, David makes it a priority to talk to Susan as often as he can. The couple talk on the phone once or twice a week. “David gets up at all hours of the night to phone me, but he’s very committed and I know that I am lucky, not everyone is like that,” she said. She keeps a laptop beside her while she’s sleeping so she can check in with them first thing. “I check my laptop before I even get out of bed in the morning,” she said. “It makes my day when I get a message from one of them.” When David or Jacki do call home, they want to hear what’s going on back home. But normal routine has not continued for Susan while her husband and daughter are overseas. She is also concerned for another young man named Doug, who she treats like one of her own sons, who is also serving in Iraq. “Life for them stopped when they left, but my life stopped too,” said Susan. “I go to work, I do things, but life for me will start again when they get home.” Supporting the troops David said he cannot stress enough how important it is for people back home to write a letter to a deployed soldier, telling them their service is appreciated and showing their support. “There are a lot of people over here that don’t get any mail,” he said. Letters and care packages can be delivered courtesy of the military chaplains. They can be sent to: John Morris, MCP, 34th ID - Chaplain, Unit 117, APO, AE 09374. To learn more about how you can send a letter to a member of the military, visit www.theredbulls.org . Mandy Moran Froemming is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|