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Soldier adjusts to life at home after Afghanistan
AP
In this Dec. 8, 2012 photo, roughly a week back from Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn smiles while holding his baby Emma, at home in Fountain, Colo. About trying to be a father while far away fighting a war, Dunn says: "Emma was 5 months old when I deployed, and 14 months old when I returned. I was able to stay in touch with the family and had the luck to watch Emma begin to crawl via Skype." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
AP
In this Nov. 30, 2012. photo, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn kisses his wife Leanne, holding their baby Emma, age 14 months, as they reunite during an arrival ceremony for soldiers returning from a deployment in Afghanistan, at Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colo. 1st Lt. Dunn, with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, had not seen his wife and baby since he deployed in March. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
AP
In this Dec. 9, 2012 photo, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn and his wife Leanne cook, as their baby Emma stands behind them, at home in Fountain, Colo. About his concerns about his daughter accepting him as a parent after so long away, Dunn says: "I have basically let Emma set the pace with what she is comfortable with." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
AP
In this Dec. 9, 2012 photo, 9 days back from the war, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn, flanked by his wife Leanne, left, look at photos of Dunn's fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, as their baby Emma vies for his attention, at home in Fountain, Colo. About his concerns about his daughter accepting him as a parent after so long away, Dunn says: "I have basically let Emma set the pace with what she is comfortable with." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
AP
In this Nov. 30, 2012 photo, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn removes his belongings from his army duffel bag, on the morning of his return from a deployment in Afghanistan, in Fountain, Colo. Asked what he'll miss about Afghanistan, Dunn says: "Probably getting to do my job. It's one thing to train, but its a whole different thing when you are actually doing what you have worked so hard at during training. The rewards are there." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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Posted 1/1/13
FOUNTAIN, Colo.— First Lt. Aaron Dunn deployed to Afghanistan in early March 2012. His 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was charged with engaging Taliban fighters in Kunar Province and mentoring Afghan government soldiers. Upon returning, here are some of his views.
Coming home:
"War and coming home are going to mean different things to each soldier. For me it was God and family. I get my security in life from my hope in God, and my companionship and support from my family. I really didn't worry too much during deployment, because of that faith."
Support for those serving:
"For a lot of soldiers, it's the family back home that drives them. Support from family and friends is very important. Support is also important from the American public.. Often times a simple thank you is enough."
The emotional toll:
"In my opinion, it's tougher on the families, especially after the unit takes a casualty.. I personally can't imagine waiting, not knowing if your loved one is alive or even all right, and having a panic each time a car drives by your driveway thinking it's the military chaplain and escort coming to see you."
Making up for the lost time with family:
"A lot of people seem to think that 'quality time' will make up for a long absence. It doesn't. Its 'quantity time' that does that. It is the time spent doing things that are fun, but also the time spent doing the daily chores, and other routines that firmly bring a family together. Emma was 5 months old when I deployed, and 14 months old when I returned. I was able to stay in touch with the family and had the luck to watch Emma begin to crawl via Skype."