Joint Force Headquarters- Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

Story by Staff Sgt. April Hawes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Father's Day will be busier than normal as some men take on single-parent responsibilities while their wives are deployed.

"On Father's Day, I will be busy being a father," said Maj. Darrell Duzan, Arthur resident and Soldier with Headquarters, Headquarters Company 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Darrell's wife, Tosha, a Chief Warrant Officer (2) deployed with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan September 2008. Since Tosha has been deployed, Darrell has had his hands full with their sons, 9-year-old Ty and 3-year-old Max.

A typical day for Darrell starts with a 6 a.m. wake-up, daycare by 7 a.m., work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daycare immediately following, home for dinner, play time with the boys, read a book with the boys then put them to bed by 8 p.m.

After Ty and Max are tucked in, then Darrell has a chance to do housework, pay the bills and plan the upcoming weekend. By the time everything is done, Darrell heads to bed by 1 a.m., leaving him with about five hours of sleep before it starts all over in the morning.

Along with the everyday routine, Darrell said he and the boys are involved in various activities such as school events, boy scouts, city council meetings, the American Legion and the VFW to keep them extra busy.

"There is too much going on," he said.

Glenn Bates of Glenarm also has his hands full while his wife, Chief Warrant Officer (2) Peggy Bates is deployed to Afghanistan with Headquarters, Headquarters Company 634th Brigade Support Battalion based in Sullivan.

"I can do a little bit of everything, but not anything start to finish," Glenn said.

Glenn and Peggy also have two children, 18-year-old Brad and 12-year-old Brooke. While this is Peggy's first deployment, Glenn said he has been familiar with taking care of the children while Peggy is away for training.

"As the husband of a military career woman, I always had to do the diapers when she was [away]," he said.

Diapers are no longer part of the daily routine, but the kids still keep Glenn busy.

After Peggy deployed in September 2008, Brad was busy finishing his senior year of high school while juggling work and skateboarding. Brooke, on the other hand, was busy playing volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.

Another interest evolved for Brooke: boys. As a result, Glenn has noticed more boys wanting to hang out around the house.

"I was really hoping that would happen after Peggy got home," Glenn said.

As a result, Peggy said when she called home, Glenn had a list of mother-daughter topics she needed to discuss with Brooke.

Along with boys, Glenn said he will have to register Brooke for school on his own, which is a task Peggy would typically take care of. Peggy will return from deployment in September shortly after school registration.

While Glenn juggles the busy lives of their children and all the housework, he said he is thankful for the support group of family and friends who help him out. He has also learned not to sweat the small stuff.

"Days are going to pass regardless of what you get done," he said.

While Peggy is deployed, she said she is proud of her husband and everything he takes care of on a daily basis.

"I don't think people realize how much work [spouses] do when we are gone," she said. "He has it harder than I do. I just get up and go to work everyday. He has a lot more to worry about. I appreciate all that he's done."

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