Off the I-15

Before Robert left for Iraq, the Harters racked up quality family time and squeezed in every holiday that Robert would miss during his 15-month deployment to Iraq. But when the holidays hit, Betty said she was they almost passed her by.

For Thanksgiving, Betty suggested to John that they just go to Fort Irwin’s dinner. They did, but John also insisted that him and Betty also cook a dinner of their own so they would have leftovers for days after. For Christmas, Betty and John visited some of Robert’s family only a few hours away from Fort Irwin. While they were there, Betty got a call from Robert, and he was able to talk to his mother and sisters for about 15 minutes, which is quite a bit, Betty said.

Betty’s work at the post with families of the 58th kept her busy as well.
“You noticed they were gone, but that wasn’t all you think about,” she said about the soldiers being gone.

John said this deployment has been easier on him than his father’s last deployment in 2003. Most noticeably improved, John said, has been his work in school.