LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (KTHV) - On Veteran's Day, we remember all those that have served our country at home and abroad, their strength, their courage and their sacrifice.
But for some families with loved ones still deployed, that sacrifice is felt everyday they are forced carry on their lives at home, while their sons, daughters husbands and wives are fighting for our freedom in a foreign land. One of those families is the Claggett's.
It was a day their family had been preparing for since they got the news. The day Jerry would leave for a one year deployment to Kosovo, leaving his wife Doris and 5-year-old daughter Ava behind.
"It's going to be interesting to see how much she grows," said Jerry Claggett, just moments before he would load up in the helicopter with 20 other national guardsmen and women.
But when the time comes to say goodbye, the preparation is never enough. Tears filled all of their eyes knowing it would be 365 days before they would hold each other again.
That was earlier this year in July. Now, it's been four months into that one year deployment. Ava started kindergarten
"I miss him like crazy and you really don't realize how much they do when they are here," says Doris. "He called after school and talked to her and got to find out how her day went and she was exhausted. We talk on the phone and we text and email and stuff. I usually talk to him everyday which really makes it nice."
Jerry is doing medi-vac missions for NATO Troops in Kosovo, staying busy with work, counting the days to his return.
"I think he's doing okay. You know, he just misses us and we miss him too," says Doris.
It has been an adjustment for all of them, phone calls, pictures and facetime replacing hugs, kisses, and family time.
"I'll pick her up and she'll say I just miss daddy and so you know we'll talk about it and say, 'Oh it's okay and we'll try to call him when we get home or I'll see if he can call us.' That makes a big difference," says Doris.
It is a different kind of together, but together none the less.
"You just miss them being there. Miss them being part of anything and I know he feels the same way. Probably times ten," says Doris.
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