Servicemen Sunday: Canadian Style!

Okay, so here's the thing. I know I have readers that live in Canada. AND, I know that Canadian forces are also in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting in this awful war that is affecting so many of us. So, today I'd like to give you yon Canadians (and all us Americans too) the opportunity to say thank you to an amazing military family from Canada.

Meet Reccewife and Sergeant DH (blog names, yo. In case you were wondering...):

Branch of the Military: Sgt. DH is in the Canadian Army, serving with the Armoured Corps, Reconnaissance Squadron. Basically,  he is a first in, last out kinda soldier who travels in an armoured vehicle. In his case, a Coyote.

For how long? He enlisted at age 17 and has served 12 years so far.

Currently Deployed? He has served 3 tours of duty in Afghanistan, one in 2002, one in 2004/05 and one in 2007/08. Being stationed overseas is not as common for Canadian Military Families as American and we have never lived overseas. In fact we have been posted in the same place his whole career which is very rare but has been a blessing as we have made many lasting friendships and found much support here.

Kids? We have 3 kids; 8 year old Caleb, 5 year old Ivy, and 3 year old Jonas.

What is the best thing about serving in the military?  There's a sense of pride in what your husband does that can't be explained. Oh, and he looks great in a uniform.

What is the hardest thing? I suppose it would be cliche to say the separation, but I am pretty sure that would be the hardest thing for most families.

When dealing with separation/deployment, what do you do to make it easier on your family?

We have a strong faith and are very involved in our local Church, and have created some great friendships. That certainly helps beat the loneliness. How anyone does this life without their faith to lean on is a mystery to me. It has been everything to us in the hardest times.

I also like to busy myself with 'stuff''. His last deployment, I sent more junk to all the guys in his section than anyone could keep track of. I packed box after box of care packages and I even made "Christmas in a Box" for everyone when the time came. I am sure some of them will develope diabetes later in life because of all the useless candy I sent. But it made me feel useful. 

Our kids have "Daddy Bears" that are dressed in Camo and play a recorded message to them by their dad when they squeeze it's hand. They are tough kids who have learned to cherish their time with dad and it amazes me the bond that they still have with him no matter how often he has to go away.

Tell me something about your husband not related to his work. What does he like to do in his spare time? I have been blessed with a husband who has a strong faith. He serves in Leadership at our Church when he is home.He has a motorcycle that he loves to ride. He's a phenominal father so just spending time with his kids when he has the chance takes up most of his free time. 

And, I'm sure it will come as no surprise, when he has a few minutes to himself he likes to watch war movies and play war video games. I know. It seems like he would get enough of that at work, but I suppose it's who he is.

What about you? What do you like to do? What about me? Well, I went to school to be a Social Worker and thought that would be my life. Then at 20 years old I married a soldier instead of finishing university, and I had kids. (Shockingly they never ask me to speak at career day at my kid's school). Now I am at stay at home mom. I try and do as much volunteer work as I can because social services is still a passion that I have. I have just started to volunteer with my DH's Regiment (his Unit at work) trying to establish Family Support elements.

I like to write (hence the blog), but I am pretty sarcastic and dorky in person. I am learning how to be content. And I attempt to mother my children as best I can without completely screwing them up.

Anything else you'd like to mention?
Hmmm.... I can run 5k (relatively) quickly and without throwing up. You probably didn't need to know that, but it's a recently accomplished goal so I'm telling anyone who asks!

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Thanks so much to this awesome family for their service and sacrifice. You can visit Reccewife's blog and read more of their military life adventures by clicking on this link: This is My Blog