Part 2

April 25, 2010
Sunday, 4:57 P.M.
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Student, Darien Crank, an 18 year old senior in Fort Campbell High School in Kentucky, is no stranger to his dad’s multiple deployments. His father is now serving in Afghanistan, his third deployment in six years. Darien has taken on the role of “man of the house” each time his father has left. This year his father will miss Darien’s senior prom, graduation and send off to college. Sadly, the son acknowledges that the separations have taken a toll on their relationship. “He’s been gone for so long; I can’t even imagine our relationship being really close.” (Wilson)

Fort Campbell High School psychologist, Nancy Beale is concerned about the lasting impacts on families. The teens she sees know they can handle it and know what they need to do, but they begin to resent their parents missing so many milestones in their lives. She notes that “younger children may exhibit deployment-induced stress with sleep disturbances and regression. She sees “a lot more splintering apart of husbands and wives” which is a major detriment to their children. (Wilson)