By Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall
449th Theater Aviation Brigade

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Members of the 4th Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment located out of Ft. Hood, Texas host an unparalleled sense of family within their unit. This fact is more evident with the Iman/Miracle family.

Sgt. Monique A. Iman, her husband Sgt. Roben M. Iman, and her sister, Spc. Christina N. Miracle reenlisted in a ceremony, Dec. 27, 2008. The trio re-enlisted for 3-6 years and secured their next permanent duty station to be Fort Riley, Kan.

"Fort Riley worked out best for all of us," stated Sgt. M. Iman, a Dededo, Guam native. "My husband's family is in Kansas, and my sister already had orders for Fort Riley, when she returned to the states."

This is Spc. Miracle's first deployment, Sgt. M. Imans' second tour, and her husband's third tour.

Having a small piece of the family deployed together was a true blessing for the three Soldiers.

"Whenever I have a rough day, there's always someone to talk to, and it made the holidays easier to cope with," said Sgt. M. Iman.

"It almost feels like home," said Miracle, a Dededo, Guam native. "The family is there for whatever you may need, whether you need them to be there or not."

Although the family does not work with each other on a daily basis, Sgt. M. Iman being in flight operations and working at headquarters; her husband, an Apache Helicopter Repairer, working primarily at the flight line; and her sister working as a Petroleum Supply Specialist at the fueling center; the family may not get much time together during the day, but the time they do have, they make the most of it.

"We have become each other's support group," says Sgt. R. Iman, an Elkhart, Kan. native. "It's a lot easier mentally being here with my wife and sister-in-law as compared to my last two deployments."