Wentz-Graff Media

Storytelling: The Soldier's Child

Millions of U.S. children have had at least one parent deployed since the start of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.  

The stress of war affects children mentally and physically, and problems often intensify the longer a parent is deployed. Military and civilian experts agree: not enough is being done to protect those at home, unseen victims of the war, the soldier's children.  

  • Dakota Lane, 6, pauses during his play near a flag hung at his Manawa home. The flag is a symbol that a soldier is away from home engaged in military service. Dakota's father, Allen, has served 14-months of duty overseas and nearly to the day he left, Dakota began having problems. Regular bedwetting, inappropriate behavior, and aggression were all new behaviors for this typically quiet child.
  • Saharra Lane, 9, reads her brother Dakota a letter written to them by their father.
  • Saharra Lane says good-night to a photo of her father Allen, before she takes an afternoon nap at camp Operation Purple in Hudson, WI. The camp is free for children who have, will have, or currently have a parent deployed in the war effort.
  • Megan Butala, 7, of Rice Lake, WI, is comforted by a cabin-mate as she cries following a discussion about what it's like in Iraq. Her father was deployed to Iraq and returned in November, but she still has great difficulty in separated from him. About 25% of returning troops have been diagnosed or have symptoms consistent with the disorder. A child whose parent has post-traumatic stress disorder often will mimic the symptoms, experts say.
  • Veronica Sherman,9, of DeKalb, IL, writes her father a letter, with her camouflage bear wearing dog tags nearby. The bear was a gift from her father before he deployed to Iraq and it's never far from Veronica's hands.
  • Two children chat while wearing gas masks During Operation Purple camp. The camp was designed to give military children a place to interact with one another and discuss having parents who are in Iraq. At this event, kids could try on gas masks, helmets, flak jackets, and other equipment used by members of the military.
  • Ian O'Brien, 10, of Steven's Point picks up a stick, using it as an impromptu gun at his cabin. Anger and aggression is common for children who have a parent involved in the war and Ian was very angry when his father had to be deployed. He is attending a free camp with other children who have, will have, or currently have a parent deployed in the war effort.
  • William Britt of Zimmerman, MN, 9, hides in the bushes after putting on his camo make-up. William's father is currently deployed and he says he hasn't had much fun since his father has been gone. He has become withdrawn, prone to sudden outbursts of anger and his grades in school have dropped. The effects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on children have been marked and there is little help being offered to military families to deal with it.
  • Hans Kromanaker, 9, of Madison, stares out from beneath a helmet. Hans's mother is deployed, caring for wounded soldiers in a German hospital.
  • Jamie Lane touches a photo of herself and her husband and she anxiously awaits his return. She has not shared much of the children's struggles and changes in behavior because she feels it will be too difficult for her husband to hear.
  • Saharra Lane, 9, of Manawa, watches eagerly as her parents kiss upon the return of her father, Allen Lane, from Iraq. Allen served with the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery and was deployed for 14-months. A soldier's return from war doesn't ensure the problems are easily resolved. They and their children aren't always aware just how much the war has rewired their relationships. It is not yet known what long term effects, if any, these children will deal with after their parents return, but it is agreed that not enough is being done to support them.
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