Deployment of Our Favorite Army Guy

My younger brother Chaz is one of my heroes. He and I have a great relationship. He's 2 and 1/2 years younger than me. So we are close enough to be friends...yet far apart enough not to compete or annoy one another. Growing up, I was the bossy older sister. But I actually think that turned out well for him. Not only was I prepared to boss around my (future) 3 boys, but I credit myself for training Chaz in taking orders. All of my bossy-older-sister stuff prepared him for bossy Army commanders (no offense to his Army commanders!).

Anyways...as I reflect on all the fond memories I have with Chaz, I am amazed that I can only recall 1...get that, ONE, fight with him. It happened my senior year of high school. I drove us to seminary every morning. Well, one morning we were running late. Not so late that a quick driver couldn't make up the time though. So I made Chaz eat his cereal in the car. This had been done before without problem...so it was no big deal. Well...it turned out to be a big deal with my crazy-fast (good!?) driving. As I was approaching a busy intersection, I slowed down. Chaz, sensing an opportunity to drink the remaining milk from his cereal, gently raised his bowl. What Chaz did not see, was that the intersection was clear, but cars in both directions were quickly approaching. Not wanting to miss my opportunity to clear the intersection without waiting, (and thereby making up even more time) I gunned it. Well...you can guess what happened to Chaz. And he was fired up over it. Told me to turn around and take him home to change. Of course, (being the bossy sister that I am) I would not. We were going to seminary. And we were not gonna be late. Milk-soaked clothes be darned...we were not going to be late! (Can you sense my deep affinity for punctuality here?) Anyways...strong words were exchanged and Chaz went to school smelly, wet, and uncomfortable. But he got over it.

Now that I think about it...

Again I see that I prepared Chaz for his future career. Smelly, wet, uncomfortable?? Wasn't that what Ranger School was like?

But I've gotten ahead of myself. Why is Chaz a hero? Not because he's survived the Army's Ranger School, Sapper School, and Airborne school....but because he's willing to serve his country to the best of his ability and sacrifice precious time with his own family. Our military is filled with everyday heroes and I am so proud that my brother is one of them. He deployed to Afghanistan a couple weeks ago, so he's been on our minds a lot lately and in our every prayer. God speed Chaz! We love you!

Here he is, training at West Point:

West Point graduation with is beautiful wife (fiance at the time):

Flight school graduation...pilot of the Kiowa helicopter:

Deployment Day:

Chaz married an awesome girl. She supports him in every way. Even waited nearly 2 years to marry him (due to his military commitments). And now she's busy taking care of their two darling boys....by herself....with her husband at war. I am amazed by her strength. And so proud of their family. Please pray for our soldiers and their families!