Clouse and his daughter Madison
But he says the most difficult part wasn’t protecting his fellow soldiers, but missing his family; he’s only been home once in his ten-month deployment. He says the intense heat was also difficult to deal with; temperatures were near 125 degrees when they left.
The team came home Wednesday to a reception at the Carnahan Memorial Garden outside the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City.
Clouse and wife Amanda
His wife, Amanda says this was his second tour, and it was harder because of their daughter, Madison who is 6. She says Madison began Kindergarten without her Dad this year, with the exception of one day he was on vacation and got to take her to school. Madison says they are going to Six Flags this weekend to celebrate being home together. Amanda is a full-time nursing student in Arnold. Both Amanda and Ian say they are looking forward to getting back to normal.
The Agribusiness Development Team IV spent their time teaching Afghani farmers how to farm, raise animals and find clean water. This program was started in Missouri but now other states have started similar programs. A fifth team is back in Afghanistan now.
(AUDIO) Allison Blood reports on a guardsman returning home. Mp3 1:00