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Boosting Military Morale
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A lot can happen in six months. That’s how long Army chaplain Jay West has been deployed in Iraq. A lot has happened in the lives of the West family, from birthday parties to baseball seasons. With a one-year limit on deployment imposed by the Bush administration, the West family and others are now marking the halfway point. |
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Zach West proudly wears a boonie cap with his name written in Arabic. It’s a birthday present from Dad. But what Zach really wanted for his 14th birthday was for Dad to come home.
Zach West/Son of Army Chaplain:
“Some things you just want to have your dad there … some days.”
Zach, sister Sami and mom Pam said goodbye to United Methodist Army chaplain Jay West back in February. He left his children with a clear understanding of his mission.
Sami West/Daughter of Army Chaplain:
“Besides being a chaplain, he prays for soldiers and the more you pray for them, the more care they get from God.”
But six months is a long time to have your dad in Iraq. And now even simple joys aren’t so simple any more.
Zach West:
“This was the first baseball season I’ve ever done without him and it was hard because I didn’t know if I wanted to do it. But after thinking about it, I realized this would help me get through the deployment better.”
Some senior military officials say morale is at its lowest since the beginning of the war.
Family days like this one at Fort Campbell, Ky., are going on all over the country. It’s a chance to send a letter, video message or a photo to soldiers. But in the end, it’s human contact everyone is craving.
Sami West:
“He used to spend time with the family, and really care about them.”
Pam West is left with keeping her kids upbeat and on track, while somehow staying sane herself.
Pam West/Wife of Army Chaplain:
“I couldn’t do it without my faith.”
Zach West:
“It will be really nice to be a whole family again.”
At least, the Wests now know they are halfway there. Lindsay Ferrier reporting.
TAG:
Right now, unofficially, the Wests are planning for Chaplain Jay's return sometime in late February.