War proves to be life-changing experience
By AMY HANSEN CNA staff reporter ahansen@crestonnews.com
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| Adam Leith, center, prepares to give an American flag from Afghanistan to American Legion past commanders Jerry Hall, left, and Bill Shallenberger Friday at the Creston American Legion. Leith is home on leave and returns to Afghanistan on Nov. 9. (Amy Hansen) |
On Dec. 14, 2007, Adam Leith, 21, of Creston made a decision that would forever alter the course of his life. He enlisted in the armed forces.
“It was a change of lifestyle, change of pace,” Leith said. “I wasn’t going anywhere with my life.”
Leith is a specialist and combat engineer in the United States Army. For the last eight months, he has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Oct. 23, he returned home for two weeks leave for the first time since being overseas.
Leith said the hardest part about being in the war is not being able to see family.
“It’s a mental game,” he said. “It’s hard to be away from family and friends. But in the same aspect, you have friends over there, and they’re like your family.”
Leith said he is grateful to have cell phone and Internet access to communicate with loved ones.
Leith serves in the 3rd Platoon 62nd Sapper Company. He said there are about 110 servicemen in the company.
Hardships
Leith said he has been in a lot of combat.
“There are days where nothing happens and there are days a lot happens real fast,” he said. “Explosions go off and hit people. Sometimes we receive small fire from hilltops.”
On July 4th, the truck Leith was in was hit. He recalled the entire incident was loud and went by very quickly.
“It gave all of us concussions in the truck,” he said. “We didn’t know what happened really, our adrenaline was going. We regrouped and got our heads back on straight.”
Leith said another hard part about the war is losing fellow soldiers.
“I lost two good friends. One was on Oct. 15 right before I came home,” he said. “It’s very hard. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t know them; it still hits you the same way because we got a ceremony you go to before you send them back home. Even if they’re not you’re guys, it still hits you hard.”
Family support
Leith’s family all agreed the stress of having him overseas takes a mental toll.
“It scares me,” said his mother Jana Weland. “I cry a lot.”
“It takes you off your focus in life,” added his father Dean Leith. “Your focus is on your child in war. It’s hard to think my son’s life is on the line.”
However, Leith’s mother and father said they try their best to remain strong for their son and his wife, Brianna (Miller) Leith. The couple married in May 2007.
“It’s been hard,” Brianna said. “School has been keeping me busy. My parents and Adam’s are very supportive.”
Leith said he has had an amazing homecoming. He has seen many family members and relaxed by watching movies and going hunting — his favorite activity. He acknowledged he’s cherishing the time he has.
Going back
However, he said the war is never far from his mind.
“I’m ready to go back,” he said. “They’re my family over there. I think about it all the time. I don’t know how they’re doing or what’s going on.”
Leith will soon return to Afghanistan for another three months. After that, he will be on duty at Fort Carson, Colo. He will get out of the service on April 28, 2011. He sees himself working for the border patrol or a state trooper in the future.
Leith said his time in the army has been positive and changed him for the better.
“It made me grow up a lot,” he said. “I was getting into trouble and wasn’t very disciplined. It definitely made me a better person. You definitely respect things a lot more, even if it’s just a little thing.”
There is one thing Leith said he has noticed since joining the army and would like to be changed or worked on.
“A lot of people have forgotten we’re over there,” he said. “Anytime you see or know of a veteran, thank them. We really are making a difference.”
