By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns

This past summer, approximately 1,800 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers were deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, a U.S. mission to “advise, assist and enable partner forces in the enduring defeat of ISIS.” Rebecca Suhr and Justin Wilson are two of the local soldiers deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.

Wilson, a 2015 graduate of Clayton Ridge High School, enlisted in the Army in high school and completed one station unit training as a cavalry scout at Fort Benning in Georgia. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, for six years and joined the Iowa National Guard upon separation from active duty in December 2021. He reclassified to infantry in 2023 at Camp Robinson in Arkansas.

Wilson’s decision to enlist was inspired by family tradition and a willingness to serve his country. His grandfather served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam. His father served in the National Guard, Marine Corps, Army Reserve and active Army, with two deployments to Iraq. His aunt also served in the Air Force.

Suhr graduated from Central High School in 2023. She attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where she also completed her advanced individual training as a motor transport operator.

Suhr was motivated to join the National Guard because the opportunities it provided appealed to her. She has a family history of service, including both of her grandfathers who served in the Army and two uncles who served in the Marine Corps and Air Force.

Julie Suhr, Rebecca’s mother, remembers her daughter making the decision to join. “When she would ask my opinion, I always told her it was a big step that she would have to make on her own. As a parent, you know, it’s kind of scary, but we were supportive of her decision and knew it would bring her opportunities,” she said.

Initial discussion of the possibility of deployment began about six months prior, which gave families time to mentally prepare.

Julie Suhr and her husband attended an information meeting held for the families of deploying soldiers. “They explained a lot for the military spouses and families,” she said. “They talked about being careful with the information shared on social media and explained it could endanger both the soldier and families at home. They discussed expectations of what the soldier will and won’t be able to share while overseas.”

As soldiers were deployed, community send-off ceremonies were held across the state to honor the service members. Mazie Nurre, the fiancée of National Guardsman Justin Wilson, reflected on the meaningful event. “While it was an emotional goodbye, there was also a feeling of pride in all of them,” she said.

Nurre also noted the impact of seeing the other families present. “I was moved by the care and support shown for other service members. It was hard to see the families with little ones say goodbye to their soldiers,” she said.

Nurre attended the event with Wilson’s family and her own. “It was nice to have both his family and mine there,” she said.

Each ceremony included speeches from different individuals. Julie Suhr highlighted those at her daughter’s send-off ceremony. “The local mayor, the chaplain and other military personnel spoke. As soon as the ceremonies were done, they boarded the buses and left,” she said.

The soldiers’ first stop upon leaving Iowa was to attend their two-week annual training at Fort Polk in Louisiana before heading to the Middle East.

The Suhr household dynamic has shifted not only with the deployment, but also with Rebecca’s younger sister Kimberly recently graduating and moving out for college. Julie said it has been tough on her son, 12 year-old Christopher, who looks up to his sisters and is now the only sibling at home.

For the whole family, Julie said, “It is tough with the unknowns and her being so far away from us geographically.” 

She continued, “But with technology now, I have contact with her almost all the time. I send her a message every morning, and we were able to call her around the holidays. The contact makes a big difference when it comes to any worries I may have.”

Nurre also said the more consistent contact allowed with modern technology helps ease any nerves she has. “It would be a lot harder to write letters with pen and paper and wait for mail,” she said.

Though she sends Wilson care packages, for Christmas, she individually wrapped each gift and lined the inside of the box with wrapping paper.

The Suhrs own the St. Olaf Tavern, which Julie said keeps them occupied. “Being a business owner, running the bar, I stay busy. It helps keep my mind off any worries,” she said. “I try to look at the positive and remember that, through this experience, she will grow as a person. It will open doors and give her new opportunities. But, of course, there is always concern about any difficult transition once she returns.”

Nurre also stays busy wedding planning, working and spending time with family. “It helps a lot that I’m close to Justin’s family,” she said.

Nurre and Wilson both have sisters who recently had children. “It is hard that he is missing out on milestones and time with our nieces and nephews. They are growing and changing so fast,” she said.

The St. Olaf Tavern sells T-shirts that say “On Fridays We Wear RED – Remember Everyone Deployed.” It is a tradition among military families, friends and veterans meant to honor and remember those deployed. 

Suhr said, “I didn’t realize how many local people were deployed. Through selling the shirts, it starts conversations and I connect with other people who have deployed loved ones too. With the first batch of shirts we sold, I sent over 100 devotion books to their chaplain to hand out.”

Nurre, who works at the hospital in Guttenberg, shared that she and her coworkers also wear red on Fridays to remember those deployed.

When asked what advice she would give to any spouse or significant other of someone in the military, Nurre said, “Learn to be patient. Like any job, the military has different demands. Try to be understanding and supportive.”

When it comes to managing deployments, she added, “It can feel natural to seclude yourself since you spend so much time one-on-one. But try to stay active with your friends and family. Travel or take up a new hobby.”