This was written by Specialist Joseph Koktan, 21, Heavy equipment operator, southern Iraq:

When I call home and all five of my family members are there, I can’t help but think of the good times I’m missing out on. Not being home with my family for birthdays and holidays is particularly hard.

But I have to say, when I come home, I’ll miss the camaraderie that formed in my platoon throughout the deployment. With our mix of personalities, we may not always like each other or get along, but we’ll always have each other’s backs. The best times are when we’re done with work for the day and we sit around telling stories from back home, laughing until our stomachs hurt.

After the extension came, an Army chaplain said it’s the difficult times in our lives that allow us to grow in faith and in strength. God puts us through hardships so we have to rely on him and put total faith in his words. Although it’s harder on some days to feel God’s presence than on others, I know he has my back and will get me through another day. “Dear Lord, help me get through this,” are words I use a couple times a day. It is amazing how much power so few words can bring.

The first thing I’ll do when I get home is take a day or two and soak up the good life again. I’ll be able to completely relax for the first time in almost two years. Between the time I get home and the time I start college at Southwest Minnesota State University in the fall, I’m going to spend some of my hard-earned money and shop for my very first car.