(Fort Dix, NJ) -- Hundreds of military families across the midstate will be spending the holidays knowing a loved one -- a son, a wife, a father -- is in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan. The number will grow by about 170 when the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 131st Transportation Company arrives in Afghanistan. This is the second overseas deployment for Captain Dana Howett, the unit's commander. The first was to Iraq. The 31-year-old wife and mother is leaving behind her husband, Richard, who's a major in the guard as well as her five-year-old and one-year-old daughters. As part of our Real Life | Real Issues series, "Hard Times at the Holidays," she spoke with WITF's Tim Lambert about how she's preparing to be away from her family this time of year.
Captain Howett spoke with WITF's Tim Lambert from Fort Dix, New Jersey. The conversation is part of our Real Life | Real Issues series this month, "Hard Times at the Holidays." The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers research on its website about how a deployment can affect families and children.
Throughout the month, we'll be hearing from folks who are facing difficult situations this time of year. Our next installment is coming up at 7:00 p.m. today on WITF's Radio Smart Talk. We'll hear from a grief counselor, a medical professional who works with ill children and a chaplain with the Pennsylvania National Guard. Thursday on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, meet a Harrisburg woman who's struggling to get life back on track, while raising four children.
