E5 Andrew (AJ) Wiles

My husband served 7 years in the U.S Army at Fort Drum, NY. Our family went through two deployments and endured a lot of time apart. He has some battle scars just like every soldier ... fortunately despite the close calls our family was lucky and God took care of our soldier and brought him home to us. His left for first deployment six weeks after our son was born and our daughter was in kindergarten. Yes it's true they return a different man but he has overcome a lot. We are out now and we moved back to my home state. Despite the fact he was away from his family all those years he figured since me and the kids were alone so much that the right thing to do was to be unselfish and let me be near my family. Now he volunteers at two fire departments locally. He is awaiting his VA claim (which we all know they are never in a hurry) and his G.I Bill so he can go to school to be a paramedic. I worry about him but everyone knows that most combat veterans miss the adrenaline rush and they will always miss that. This man is our hero and will always be. We have lost friends and had friends injured and it is an awakening when you actually know someone that gets hurt or KIA and you know them. The reality hits home. It really makes you realize what task is at hand for your children to endure. Sgt Wilesis our soldier, our hero and will forever be.

Submitted by: Crystal Wiles