Sean Rush of Clarkston doesn’t like watching television news of the war in Iraq.
She knows enough already ? her husband, Chris Rush, has been there with the U.S. Army since January.
One of the biggest adjustments they have had to make is communication. At his stateside post, Ft. Hood, Texas, he was able to stay in contact with his family every day by phone. In Iraq, phone calls have been sporadic and sparse.
‘He’s not in control of his time at all,? Sean said. ‘It’s hard ? I miss him being around.?
They talk about once every two weeks, using phone cards they purchase themselves.
Because of the nine-hour time difference, it is difficult for him to talk to their three children at all.
‘That’s the hardest part, not being able to feel connected,? Sean said.
She sends photos to him as much as she can.
‘I try to keep him involved in the day-to-day stuff,? she said.
A major threat to troops in Iraq has been explosive booby traps, improvised explosive devices planted on and in roadways to kill soldiers and civilians. Most troops try to avoid them, but not Chris.
Chris Rush drives a Buffalo, a new vehicle designed to disarm roadside bombs, and survive their explosions if they can’t.
The five-man, six-wheeled armored truck is equipped with a robot arm. Crews patrol Baghdad streets and clear them of mines, booby traps, and IEDs. Lots of armored windows let crewmen see as much of the road as possible as they search. If they set something off, a V-shaped hull directs the blast to the sides.
A veteran of the first Gulf War in 1991, he had spent the past 15 years as a civilian, working in construction and running a business with his wife, before reenlisting in June.
The family needed job security and health benefits ? their daughter Robyn has cystic fibrosis ? offered by the Army, Sean said.
‘He likes having the sense of doing his part,? she said.
The plan is for her to maintain the house and family in Clarkston while he serves his four-year enlistment.
It wouldn’t make sense for the family to pull the children out of school, sell the house, live in base housing in Texas for four years, then come back, she said.
‘My dad is here ? there’s a lot to keep us close to home,? she said.
They moved to Main Street, Clarkston, in 2004.
‘It’s a superb place to live,? she said. ‘I’ve heard about it ? I have family here.?
Chris was supposed to come home in October, but his tour of duty has been extended to January. Despite the hardships, Sean does not complain, taking a pragmatic, low-key approach. She is neither a fervent supporter nor opponent of the war.
‘It’s not my style to rail and bawl,? she said.
‘I really supported the president’s decision to go over. It was right based on the information at the time. It’s to his credit that he stood up and did what he believed in ? that’s my perspective.?
Her husband is proud of his service and the work he is doing, clearing away mines.
‘I’m very proud of him too,? Sean said.
She has been staying busy preparing her home for the SCAMP home tour in June.
‘It’s been surreal ? I’ve spent a year working in this,? she said. ‘Lots of painting, yard work, gutting the bathroom.?
Their children are all Clarkston students. Devon is a junior at Clarkston High School; Eric, an eighth-grader at Clarkston Junior High; and Robyn goes to Clarkston Elementary.
Chris gave Devon an extra set of his dog tags before he left.
‘She wears them quite a bit,? Sean said.