from her civilian life. Jeff was immersed
in his unit’s training and preparation for
Jeff and
a one-year tour in Iraq.
Amanda
Roberson
Supporting Soldiers
and Spouses
In October 2005, Chaplain Roberson
left with his unit for Taji, Iraq—an explo-
sive hotbed of terrorist and insurgent
activity just north of Baghdad. Amanda,
as the wife of the battalion chaplain,
found herself in the forefront of the
unit’s support activities for spouses and
families back at Fort Campbell, carried
out by the Family Readiness Group (FRG).
She became the leader of the FRG for
Jeff’s unit. She rapidly learned how to bal-
ance her responsibilities as the FRG leader
while maintaining her home, now with
three little girls.
Jeff’s unit had barely set up their oper-
ations in Taji when attacks took the lives
of several of his soldiers. He conducted
the memorial services for his comrades
killed in action. It was difficult and heart-
breaking for everyone—in Iraq and back
home at Fort Campbell.
Jeff accompanied his soldiers on
“MY CHAPEL WAS PLYWOOD, CANVAS, METAL
countless patrols, saying that the chaplain
FOLDING CHAIRS, AND A SMALL TABLE. THE
must be with the troops. “Wherever the HEAT WAS STIFLING; SAND AND DUST WERE
soldiers are, that’s where I am going to
EVERYWHERE . . . BUT THE PRESENCE OF THE
be,” he said. In the midst of the warfare,
LORD WAS SO REAL.” —JEFF ROBERSON
his chapel services were packed out. “My
chapel was plywood, canvas, metal fold- was like a refuge for me and the girls.” In February of this year, the Robersons
ing chairs, and a small table. The heat was Jeff spent a year at home after the first were both recognized at the St. Barbara’s
stifling; sand and dust were everywhere . . . deployment, then it was back again for a Ball for the 1/320 Field Artillery. Jeff
but the presence of the Lord was so real. 15-month tour. Both were experienced received the Honorable Order of St. Bar-
The ministry was awesome, as young lives now: Amanda well able to carry out her bara Award (an honorary military soci-
were forever changed for Christ.” FRG leadership responsibilities and main- ety), and Amanda received the Molly
Back home, Amanda was finding out taining a stable home life for four daugh- Pitcher Award, named for the Revolution-
that the Army builds strong, independent ters; Jeff a battle-tested chaplain and key ary War heroine who supported her
wives. “You learn how to take care of part of his commander’s staff. But it was artilleryman husband. The awards hon-
everything, and I mean everything. Some- still so very hard, and at times, the sepa- ored their loyal service during two
times I look back on that first year of sep- ration seemed to go on forever. deployments to Iraq, adding a “well
aration and wonder how we all made it, done” on their fast track to Army life and
being so new to military life. I prayed all
Twin Honors
chaplaincy service.
the time and cried a lot too, but the Lord Fast-forward to November 2008. Their tour at Fort Campbell came to a
was faithful,” says Amanda. “It could be Chaplain Roberson and his unit return as close in June. Chaplain Roberson was
so frustrating dealing with all the prob- their original 15-month tour is cut short assigned to Fort George Meade, Maryland,
lems resulting from such a long separa- by 60 days. They come back to Fort Camp- where he serves as a chaplain recruiter.
tion, being responsible for helping so bell just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving Jeff and Amanda, along with daughters
many families through the FRG activities, with their families and have Christmas Eve, Hannah, Esther, and Abigail, look
and the seemingly endless phone calls at home. Jeff and Amanda agree that forward to the new challenges and experi-
about every conceivable family situation. coming home a little early, in time for ences God has for them as they serve our
Thankfully, the Clarksville Church of God the holidays, felt like a miracle. nation’s soldiers and their families.
EVANGEL • AUG 2009 9
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