By Delivrine Registre - bio | email
AMERICUS, GA (WALB) - Hands were held, and kisses were shared as these couples made the best of the time they have left before spending 10 months away from each other. "Last time when they went to Iraq ,we wanted to create more of a bond with them," said Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Leisa Cross.
So the Red Cross held a ball in their honor in Americus before these men and women head off to Afghanistan. "With the time being so rough, we just felt like this is the best thing to do," said Cross.
This is Lt. Thomas Daly's third deployment and he knows it is tough on his wife. "I think each one gets harder and harder for her." But he is one of the lucky ones who still has her by his side.
"A lot of marriages don't last because it really takes a special significant other to get all the way through that deployment because it is really hard," said Daly.
And it's why these moments are so important for the troops, and their loved ones to share. "It helps strengthen the marriage if you are close, but it also rips them apart," said Daly.
And the ball also helped ones who will be left behind waiting for their return. "This is the perfect opportunity for the wives or girlfriends to inter mingle with the other wives to make that connection," said Daly.
But the difficulties that lie ahead were forgotten Thursday night as couples embraced the moment and each other.
48th Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard will be sent off in style with support from the community. The City of Americus will hold a parade to honor the soldiers starting at eleven o'clock Friday morning.
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