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iled egg memes ” to his sister , capturing the spirit of the holiday while cherishing the bonds that transcended the miles between them .
DERRICK HAUGHT :
Transforming Loneliness into Joy
A
U . S . Army veteran , Derrick Haught ’ s story is enriched by his experiences in various deployments , particularly in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan . Each chapter of his life has been marked by personal milestones that have deepened his appreciation for family and the small traditions that celebrate togetherness , especially during the holiday season .
In his early twenties , Haught deployed to Saudi Arabia , and then to Afghanistan , where he found himself not only fighting but also forging connections with the local culture . During one memorable deployment , he recalls sitting down for tea with Afghan families , a stark contrast to the military duties that consumed much of his time . “ It was really cool ,” he reflects , noting the warmth and hospitality he experienced amidst the chaos of war . The emotional toll of being away from home during significant holidays weighed heavily on Haught . He recounts the loneliness of Christmases spent in combat zones , where instead of celebrations , he faced rocket attacks on U . S . bases .
“ On American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas , they launched more rockets ,” he said , a grim reminder of the challenges he faced while serving his country .
“ On American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas , they launched more rockets ,” he said , a grim reminder of the challenges he faced while serving his country .
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