Brandon Twp.- To staring onlookers at Detroit Metro Airport, it may have seemed bizarre’a man rushing up the stairs on an escalator going down. But Major Paul Alban, returning to Michigan after a 14-month deployment to Iraq, wasn’t concerned with how he may have looked or what strangers may have thought, he was single-minded at that moment’he saw his family on the top floor, and he couldn’t get to them fast enough.
Alban’s wife, Aimee, felt the same way. It was Dec. 16 and she had just driven at 30 mph for three hours on I-75 after a massive overnight snowstorm with their four children, Ryan, 9, Gavin, 7, Patrick, 4, and Gabriella, 15 months.
‘It was perfect timing,? says Aimee, who saw Paul just as she was walking in. ‘I said, ‘There’s Dad,? and they ran to him.?
‘I was excited,? says Ryan. ‘I was sad (when he was gone), but now I’m happy.?
It’s been a rough year for the family.
Paul, a 1989 graduate of Brandon High School, joined the Army in 2005, after finishing his pediatric residency at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was inspired to join the service after Sept. 11, but he and Aimee, who were high school sweethearts (she is a ?91 BHS graduate) and married in 1995, were unprepared for the hardship it would place on their family.
‘When I left for three months for officer training, I thought that was bad, but it didn’t compare to leaving and knowing that I was going to Iraq for a year,? Paul says now, as he sits across the kitchen table from Aimee in her parents? home in the township’where she and their children have stayed since he’s been gone.
‘I had no idea what to expect and that gave me a lot of anxiety.?
Paul deployed for Baquba, Iraq in October 2006, just one month after Gabriella was born. ‘Looking back, I missed out on the first year of her life,? he says as he looks at the daughter who is walking now and says ‘Da-da,? when Aimee points at Paul.
‘Once a week, Aimee sent a video and I could see her progression as a baby and it made it easier.?
Paul worked as a doctor at FOB Warhorse, treating American and Iraqi soldiers, Iraqi children, and even insurgents. He had more than 700 trauma cases during his time in Iraq. Periodically, the base would be hit with mortar rounds. He says he felt safe, but Aimee had a hard time believing that could be true.
Back at home, Aimee and the kids attended counseling every other week to deal with the changes in their family life due to the deployment, and Gavin was having behavioral issues. Aimee did things Paul would normally have done’including sledding with the kids and baiting hooks so her sons could go fishing. ‘I always knew the value of family, but him leaving has given me a greater sense of family,? she said. ‘It also showed me how much kids need their dad.?
Aimee also has a greater appreciation for single moms and kept a photo of her grandmother, a single mom of five girls, next to her bed for inspiration. In June, Aimee learned Paul’s deployment was extended, and the following day she learned of a dangerous mission he had been on.
‘It took me two weeks to stop crying,? she recalls. ‘I had convinced myself I would never see him again.?
Paul came home for a two-week leave in July, but Aimee calls it a mixed blessing, as they had a taste of normalcy but then he had to leave again. They learned in November that Paul would return to Fort Hood, Texas, on Dec. 4. Aimee flew down alone to wait for him to arrive with the other returning servicemembers.
‘To me, the hardest part was getting from New York to the parade field (in Texas),? recalls Paul. ‘I felt so much anxiety, we were getting so close.?
At the field, Aimee waited with other family members with occasional updates on where the troops were. Buses arrived and the troops got in formation behind them. When the buses moved, the troops were told, ‘Go meet your families!? Paul saw Aimee, camcorder in hand, right away.
‘It was emotional,? he said. ‘I was really excited. I couldn’t wait to grab her in my arms and hold her. Part of my relief was knowing that’s what she was waiting for’to touch and feel me and know that I’m safe.?
‘It was the best day of my life,? says Aimee. ‘It just felt like everything’s OK now, he’s safe and we’re together.?
They spent a week in Texas together that Aimee describes as better than their honeymoon 12 years ago. Paul had to stay for some extra time for debriefing before the family’s reunion last week, but the airport welcome was just the beginning. Family members, friends, neighbors, and even strangers lined Linda K Lane in the snow, waving flags and signs and greeting the family as they arrived home.
That afternoon, they celebrated with a homecoming party at the Edna Burton Senior Center.
As Paul helps his children get dressed to go outside to play in the snow now, the day after coming home, Gavin shares how he feels about Dad being home.
‘I can be with him all the time and he can help me with stuff,? he says, smiling. ‘He can play with me.? All three boys say they want to wrestle with their father. Paul looks forward to that, too, and getting to know his daughter.
Aimee has told Paul she doesn’t want any presents under the tree, she has everything she needs’her husband is home.
‘I’m looking forward to having him here to see the kids on Christmas and share in all the traditions,? she said. ‘Christmas is such a happy time, but last year was mixed. There are no ‘buts? about it this year, it’s all happy.?
Paul, who is enlisted in the Army until July 2009, does not expect to be deployed again. In January, the family will move to Tennessee and Paul will be stationed at Fort Campbell. For now, he is happy to be home in Michigan and to see everyone he wants to.
‘It’s just wonderful being home,? he says and pauses as a tear rolls down one cheek. ‘It’s a little difficult to grasp.?