News

Deployed through the holidays - Reservists share their thoughts

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Pretty much nobody is happy about being away from family over the holidays. But for military people, it's a given that at some point in their career, they're going to miss a holiday, a birthday, an anniversary, or some other important celebration.

That's the time when Airmen rely on their Air Force family, and the Air Force core value of "Service Before Self."

Currently, the 446th Airlift Wing has close to 100 people deployed across the globe, with many in Iraq. Some of our deployed Reservists have shared their thoughts about being deployed during the holidays.

Staff Sgt. Justin Shattuck, 446th Civil Engineer Squadron
"Holidays are never quite the same when you're not surrounded by the family and friends that you know and love. However, when you're deployed or in a difficult situation, sometimes what you do with what you have can make that holiday or situation more memorable than past experiences. I already know that this holiday season is one that I will carry with me for many years. It will be remembered as an occasion shared with good friends whose hearts are in the right place.

"I would like to say hello to my family and friends. I love and miss you all.
I'll be home soon. "

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Senior Master Sgt. Weston Dorszynski, 446th CES
"The holidays here will, in many ways, not be much different than any other day of building things and solving problems, except there will be a lot of thinking about home and loved ones there. I hope to get a chance to Skype home and see their faces (fuzzy and pixilated) on screen.

"Happy holidays to all my family and friends in Washington and Oregon, especially my wife Tammie and my kids Levi and Cali."

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Senior Master Sgt. David Burns, 446th Security Forces Squadron
"With 22 years of service in the Air Force and several deployments under my belt while in the 446th SFS, I am all too familiar with spending time away from loved ones back home. I don't have a lot of family back home, so the Air Force is my family. I try hard to stay busy to help make the time go by quicker (and it has!). The best part of this deployment has been watching the younger troops pull together as a team and lean on each other during the holidays and difficult times. I plan on spending extra time with the troops on post working on Christmas (as I did Thanksgiving) and doing all that I can to let the troops know that people still love them, that the Air Force appreciates the personal sacrifices we've all made, and that the deployment will be over soon enough."

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Tech. Sgt. Alexander Almonte, 446th CES
"One good thing about being deployed is that one realizes how many blessings one truly has. I for one am very grateful for the country that I call home and the many freedoms it gives me. I am also truly grateful for all my friends and loved ones. The one great thing in my life that I give thanks for everyday are my beautiful children and the opportunity to be their dad!! Happy Holidays Tacoma and the Almonte Clan!"

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Chief Master Sgt. Tom Pizzi, 446th CES
"Warm holiday greetings to you and your families from your fellow Airmen at the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron stationed at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. We hope all is well with each of you as you continue to carry on the mission at McChord AFB. Every day we proudly project a positive image of the Air Force and team McChord to our sister services here in each and every endeavor we encounter."

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Maj. David Schierhoff, 446th SFS
"In my 25 years of being in the Air Force, this is only my second time being away from my family during the holidays. The last time was the Thanksgiving and Christmas of 1985. (Yes, I really am that old!) I was in Turkey and my wife and two small daughters were in the States. That was a tough holiday season for me. It's still not easy, but having small children at home makes it that much harder. Even though my kids are now grown, I still feel a little empty not being home for the holidays. Fortunately my job keeps me busy. Seeing each of you (as random and seldom as it is) also helps to cheer me up. I am able to push back those sad feelings and remember that we're here for a reason and have a job to do. I know that we'll be home soon enough and will have plenty of time to catch up on missed holidays. In the meantime, I tell my Airmen to try to keep themselves busy and the time will pass quickly. Finally, call your families and rely on one another for support."