Iraq News

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the North Dakota National Guard has deployed 3500 soldiers and 1800 airmen. With each deployment, comes the hope of a safe return home. Although, the transition back to civialian life can be an adjustment. Tonight, we begin our week long series on that transition. Reporter Kate Schell introduces us to one family who has worked to find their new "normal"... He caught her eye six and a half years ago. (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "I made the move and introduced myself to him." An introduction that would forever change both of their lives. (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "It was almost like fairy tale. It was instant. We went into the relationship right away." After nearly 5 years of dating, Derek finally proposed to Jenny. They planned to marry in August but that changed with news of Derek's deployment to Iraq. (Derek Heck/Served in Iraq, NDNG) "So we bumped up the wedding." Easily accomodating what would soon interrupt their lives as newlyweds. (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "He left October 5th and October 12th, a week later when he was in Oklahoma, we found out that we were having little Coby." Despite the exciting news of Jenny's pregnancy, the Heck's knew the next several months wouldn't be easy. (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "We had the doctor put the ultra sound pictures in an envelope and we skyped each other, in the front seat of our truck. I had the computer sitting there and found out together that way. So he was still able to be there for the firsts." For the happy times....and for the heartaches. (Derek Heck/Served in Iraq, NDNG) "The biggest feeling is probably helplessness just because I know I can look after myself and I know I married a very independant woman. But sometimes you need each other. Thankfully for Heck's they were able to celebrate one of the happiest times of their lives together. Derek was able to come home on leave Home to finally see his pregnant wife... (Derek Heck/Served in Iraq, NDNG) "It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, my wife pregnant." Home to witness his son's birth... (Derek Heck/Served in Iraq, NDNG) "I knew she would have the next 3 months of the baths and the changing diapers and the bottle feedings and so I relished every moment of it trying to get every image and thought and memory in my head I could." Derek headed back to Iraq-Jenny headed home...now a single mother. (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "Going through the journey with being pregnant and of course the first three months of Coby's life, doing that by myself. That was probably the hardest." Three months later Derek was home for good... To begin the life he and Jenny had started together... (Derek Heck/Served in Iraq, NDNG) "She was the full time mom now, the fulltime house keeper, the full time bill payer, the full time everything. I had a little anxiety with where am I going to fit into this process. Is it going to be a smooth transition? At first it was. (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "We couldnt get the smiles off of our face." But two weeks later reality kicked in... (Jenny Heck/Wife of Soldier) "Every day we had to apologize to each other and reaffirm our love for each other on a daily basis and make sure we were ok. And then by the 4th and now, it just all of a sudden clicked." A relief for both of them, as they close a chapter of their lives, only some understand. Dedication to a country... Committment to a marriage... Both worth fighting for. Kate Schell, KX News Join us tomorrow for day 2 of our series on reintegration. We talk to reintegration officers on the federally mandated program soldiers must go through after they return home from their deployment.