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Heroes: 172nd Stryker BCT spouses

Aug-14-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

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Kamryn Jaroszewski, Fort Richardson Public Affairs Office.

I wrote a commentary recently about my husband’s upcoming third deployment. In that article, I referred to him as a hero.

When he read it, he zeroed in on that word and said I was wrong, that he wasn’t a hero – just another Soldier doing what he was told to do.

I explained to him my reasons for describing him a hero: because he was able to leave his family and step foot on a plane when he knew he may not come back. Because he was one of the people who volunteered to do that. Because he saw a cause bigger than him, and wanted to do his part of it. But above all, because he wanted to continue the line of military service started in his family four generations ago.[...]

In the wake of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s four-month extension, I’ve added those family members – the spouses who dried their tears and got back on the horse – to my list of heroes. I don’t know how I would have reacted to the news that I’d have to take down my welcome-home banner, and wait months more for my husband to return. But these spouses have done it with a grace that has made so many Soldiers proud of their spouses.

A hero is different for everybody. It could be the friend who baby sits so you can have an hour of quiet time, or the teacher who goes out of her way to encourage her students to excel.

Regardless of the definition, if you see a hero, please tell them so.

One thing is for sure: there aren’t enough heroes out there.


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