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FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia (January 25, 2008) - Military personnel
deploy and have to leave their loved ones behind in the States all
the time. It is a common occurrence these days. The Bridwells
however, both deployed at the same time; each headed to a different
country in the Middle East.
Spc. Joshua M. Bridwell and Spc. Heather M. Bridwell met in May
2006 after Heather had completed Army Basic Training and Advanced
Individual Training (AIT) through an Army recruiter.
Josh and Heather were married on April 26, 2007 with numerous
friends and family in attendance.
A few months after they were married though, the Bridwells were
mobilized for deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom and left for
Camp Shelby, Miss., to complete the three-month long process of
training and paperwork.
While at Camp Shelby Josh and Heather were able to see each
other almost day. Josh left Camp Shelby headed for Iraq on Sept. 2,
2007, and that was the last time the Bridwells have been
together.
Josh is now in Iraq serving as an infantryman with Company A,
3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment and Heather is an
intelligence analyst in Kuwait with Company F, 429th Brigade
Support Battalion.
"I'd like to think she is doing fine," Josh said.
"I miss him and think of him everyday," Heather said. "It's hard
being separated."
Josh said his priorities are to be a Soldier first, but said he
spends most of his spare time thinking of his wife.
"We talk often through e-mail and phone calls," Heather said.
"He called me from Baghdad and told me he was buying me a teddy
bear and that he would get me one every time he stopped
somewhere."
During a recent visit, Lt. Col. John M. Epperly, the commander
of 3rd Bn., 116th Inf. Regt., met with Josh and was asked to
deliver a teddy bear and letter from Josh to Heather. Epperly was
happy to do so.
Josh and Heather are planning on going on their rest and
relaxation tour together this month.
"Due to the possibility of us leaving sooner than we expected we
may be able to spend our first anniversary together," Heather
said.
"I'm all for getting home and living the married life," Josh
said.
Josh has plans of getting back from the deployment and pursuing
a career in firefighting, for which he has volunteered as for seven
years now, and Heather plans to continue working as a recruiter's
assistant in their hometown.
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