Perspective: Military families must reset clock

Members of the 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry

Sgt. Scott Peer woke his wife, Sara, last week with a call in the middle of the night. He'd been stoic throughout his nine months in Iraq with the Minnesota National Guard. This call was different.

I'm homesick, he told her. I miss you and the kids.

She reassured him: Just a few more months. We'll see you soon.

And Sara Peer let herself believe it.

But late Wednesday, she learned that her husband would not be home in March as planned. The "Red Bulls" — 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division — will remain in Iraq as part of a military buildup ordered by President Bush. Their mission could stretch into July.

"I'm so angry at myself for letting my guard down," Sara Peer said. "With the military, nothing's definite until it happens."

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