OTTUMWA -- Eleven days ago, the 832nd Engineer Company returned home from a year long deployment in Afghanistan. You can view the story here.
In 2005 the same company served a year long tour in Iraq looking for improvised explosive devices (IED’s). Sergeant 1st Class Todd Sackman was one of those National Guardsmen returning to his family in Ottumwa. Being back with his four children and wife never gets old.
“It’s a great feeling to come home,” said Sackman. “(Getting to see) the kids and how much they’ve grown.”
Sackman, a 1993 graduate of Keokuk high school, currently lives in Ottumwa. As a father and family man, Sackman knows the sacrifices his wife has to deal with while he is overseas serving his country.
“She’s been everything, taking care of everything around here. It’s hard enough to make a decision about something for the family when you’re the one making the decision by yourself. You’re not sure if you’re doing, making the right decision and I think she did a great job.”
While being deployed in Afghanistan, the U.S. military killed Osama Bin Laden. That was quite a day for the troops serving.
“It's a pretty big moral boost. But we knew we weren't going to go and just jump on the plane and everyone go home, but it was definitely a moral boost."
The sergeant first class doesn’t know when or if he’ll be deployed again but he’s savoring being home with his friends and family.
If you have a military story you’d like us to cover just let us know you can email us at jbuechele@ktvo.com or news@ktvo.com.
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