Soldier spends another Mother's Day away from daughter

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Lasheaka Lee and her daughter, Kristen, at Myrtle Beach, S.C., prior to her deployment to Iraq.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

05.09.2008

Story by Sgt. Jason Stadel 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Jason Stadel

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – This Mother's Day is nothing new for Staff Sgt. Lasheaka Lee. She had the same type of Mother's Day three times before -- away from her 12-year-old daughter, Kristen.

"I've been to Korea three times," said Lee, a medic in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "This time it was a little harder leaving her because she knew I was going to Iraq."

Kristen watches the news and is old enough to know a deployment to Iraq is not the same as going to Korea, Lee said.

"She didn't want me to go, she was scared," said Lee, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Although she has missed four of 12 Mother's Days with her daughter, Lee said she has a great relationship with Kristen.

"My mom didn't really raise me," the single mother said. "I was adopted and I always promised myself I'd be there for my kids. I may not always be with her because of my job, but my daughter understands that I do what I do for her."

Lee said because the Army offers such great benefits for families she has decided to stay in the military until she reaches her 20 years of service. Lee has been in the Army for 13 years.

"I stay in for her, and I know she appreciates what I do for her."

Lee tries to speak with her daughter as often as possible to mitigate the effects of being away for so long.

"She says I'm a cool mom," Lee said with a smile. "She's a good kid; she gets all A's and started cheerleading this year. I always tease her about having a boyfriend. Even though I've been gone a lot we have a great relationship."

Lee is hopeful she will be able to speak with her daughter this Sunday and have the best Mother's Day she can.

"I'm going to be thinking about how I wish I was with her. I just keep reminding myself that I'll be home soon and we're going to make up for lost time," she said.

When asked what would be a perfect Mother's Day present, Lee answered: "I hope everyone over here is safe, and I want to be with my daughter."

• Date Taken: 05.09.2008
• Date Posted: 05.11.2008 15:50
• Story ID: 19311
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ