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Deployment makes holidays, family time precious for soldier
SHINDAND, Afghanistan -- Since early spring about 170 citizen-soldiers with the Trenton-based 548th Transportation Company have been serving on a year-long mission in western Afghanistan. Most of them will spend the holidays away from family and friends halfway around the world.
Spc. Nick Spiker, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., is one such soldier. He is serving as truck driver while in Afghanistan and has served in the National Guard for almost seven years.
While Spiker was able to be at home with his wife, Katy, for Thanksgiving, he said for Christmas he'll be in Afghanistan with his battle buddies.
"I'll probably just be doing my job," said Spiker.
Spiker said this year he'll have to do without some of the traditional events that make Christmas, Christmas.
"I'll miss sitting with my family around the Christmas tree, opening presents and starting the New Year with my wife right beside me," said Spiker.
Spiker has kept up one tradition though and put in a request to Santa.
"My wish for Christmas is to get home safe to be with Katy," said Spiker. "I want myself and 548th Truck Company to get through this deployment and get home safely and quickly as possible."
Being away from family is not easy according to Spiker, but he loves putting the uniform on and going through all the experiences. For him, everything has been one memorable experience after another.
"Even if you don't want to remember some things, it'll always be with you," said Spiker. "We've become much closer together as a husband and wife because we're so far away from each other."
Mail call can be a special time for a soldier when serving far away from home. Spiker shared that there are times when the mail's rather exciting.
"That would be mail with a letter from my beautiful wife," said Spiker. "If you have someone overseas, try to send them things as much as possible or e-mail just to let them know you're thinking of them. Make time for a phone call if at all possible because soldiers like talking to their spouses on the phone or even an e-mail just saying a simple I love you."
At home, Spiker serves with Company A, 311th Brigade Support Battalion in Nevada.
He also works full time with Murphy Ventures in Sheldon.