Early in our marriage, I often whined when Mike’s work took him away from home overnight.

He had little patience for my complaints. “People leave their families and ship out to sea for 10 months at a time,” he insisted. “That’s hardship. This is not. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Growing up the son of an airman, Mike lived in a half dozen different places. He then served in the Navy and traveled the globe for six years on a Naval oiler, which apparently is even less glamorous than it sounds. Despite being young, single and childless, he struggled with the loneliness of long assignments at sea.

A few weeks ago, the last of the 650 North Dakota soldiers who served in Kosovo as part of a multi-national NATO peacekeeping mission returned home. Bismarck’s own Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann commanded the force, which included troops from six countries and was the largest single deployment of the North Dakota National Guard since the Korean War.
It was not as dangerous an assignment as some have been, but it was long and affected many. These folks were separated from their spouses, children, parents and friends for nearly a year. Three hundred forty three days away from their own beds, fridges, hobbies, cars, bathrooms, blankets and affection of any sort from their family and friends.

They left behind 485 children. Included among the soldiers were mothers (uff da); a few parents of newborn babies (ugh); and at least 12 soon-to-be-dads with pregnant wives (ouch).

I suspect everyone in North Dakota knew someone who was deployed. We had three friends on the mission, and witnessed up-close the sacrifices these military families make in service to our country and world. The solo parents at home coordinated the first day of school and the last, umpteen practices and parties, holidays, trips, birthdays and milestones. They consoled, advised and disciplined alone.

I calculated conservatively that just one of these moms managed more than 900 family activities and events while her husband served in Kosovo. Everything from the mundane (dental appointments) to the monumental (a 60th anniversary) was up to her.

Meanwhile, the guardsmen lived in small, no-frills rooms, spent Christmas with fellow soldiers and missed countless daily moments with their family.

According to the North Dakota National Guard, our guard has mobilized more than 3,500 soldiers and 1,800 airmen since 2001. About 150 North Dakota guardsmen are currently serving overseas. We can all be proud of the fact that North Dakotans volunteer for service in the guard at a rate that’s more than four times the national average.

Military service is more than a job -- it’s a way of life that demands sacrifice from the whole family. Where would be today without people who are willing to make this sacrifice? It’s a disturbing thought.

Welcome back KFOR 12 service men and women. Thanks to you and your family members for not only believing in peace and freedom, but for undergoing real hardship to help maintain it.