As Sgt. Amy Day of the U.S. Army serves her country in Afghanistan, her family has stepped up to secure her home front.
Taking care of her 4-year-old son, Dylan, are her father Eric Zasacky, brother Doug Zasacky, and stepmother Jean McBride, all of Independence Township.
‘I was just wanting to somehow recognize them for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to ensure my son is properly cared for while I am away on a 15-month deployment,? said Day in an e-mail from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
‘I have discovered my family is willing to go above and beyond my greatest expectations. I would like to take this time to recognize them for their sacrifice, love and commitment.?
Eric took Dylan into his home this past August.
‘He welcomed Dylan with open arms,? said Day, who is divorced. ‘I cannot describe to you the feeling of relief and calm which washed over me when I knew my son was in good hands.?
‘Dylan is a wonderful boy. He’s really good,? Eric said.
‘I raised Amy as a single parent when she was his age. I never dreamt I would do it again a generation later. But it’s a really good experience. I get as much as I give.?
‘For him to sacrifice his life to become in essence a single father was just astounding to me,? Day said. ‘My father is doing an amazing job of ensuring he is cared for. Every weekend is full of outings to include trips to the Cider Mill, animal farms, and Depot Park.?
Chief of security at General Motors? Orion Assembly plant, Eric is helped by his son Doug and McBride, Eric’s ex-wife.
‘Douglas and Jean don’t hesitate to step up and give a hand if I need it,? Eric said. ‘It’s very helpful. They fill in if I need them to.?
‘My mother, Jean, though her and my father are no longer together, remain wonderful friends,? Day said. ‘She and my brother Doug live minutes away from my father. They are constantly active in Dylan’s life.?
He spends the night at ‘grandmas? at least once a week to give ‘grandpa? a little break, she said.
‘Jean, who also works full time, finds the time to take Dylan to the zoo, have camping themed sleepovers and take paddle boat rides on the lake,? Amy said.
Doug, a senior at Clarkston High School on the lacrosse team and active in student council, helps just as much.
‘He spends much of his free time playing sports with him, taking him to Clarkston football games and a few times a week gets him ready in the mornings and takes him to his daycare,? Day said.
‘I get up at 6 a.m., wake him up, feed him breakfast, brush his teeth, and take him to day care on the way to school,? Doug said.
Each Sunday, he and Amy also set up an Internet connection so she can talk to Dylan face-to-face using web cams.
‘My brother asked me the other day why I felt it necessary to recognize them for what they are doing,? she said. ‘He said they were the ones that should be recognizing me for what I am doing in Afghanistan. I told him without the families at home and the people at home who support all of us each day being over here would not be possible. As a soldier you cannot keep your head in the game if things at home are not taken care of. The way I see it, the families are heroes just as much as we are.?
Eric relies on her training and dedication to see her through.
‘For a dad, when it’s your daughter, it’s tough not being able to be there for her. This is the first time in my life that I can’t be there to protect her,? he said.
‘We’re all really proud of her and hope she stays safe,? Doug said.
Day joined the Army in 2000 and served a four-year enlistment. She re-enlisted in 2007 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. She deployed to Afghanistan two months later, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
‘Though my family does not all live together under one roof they have come together as one and have taken the definition of ‘family? to new heights,? she said. ‘Dad, mom, and Doug, you will never know how deeply you have touched me and how much of a difference you have made in Dylan’s life. All of you embrace the meaning of family. I love you.?