By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
MADISONVILLE (WATE) - One family who knew the war in Iraq all too well was the Graves family in Monroe County.
Bryan Graves, chief deputy for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and a member of the Tennessee National Guard, has been deployed to Iraq twice.
He just returned home from his second tour this year.
Graves says he was proud of his time there. "They weren't splashing around in our pond while we were splashing in theirs," he said.
While he was gone, his wife, Melissa, held down the household and took care of their six children.
"I was really excited because our National Guard is on a deployment cycle," Melissa said. "That means my husband wouldn't end up there anytime soon."
The Graves say it's not time to celebrate because there are several other conflicts still going on around the world.
However, they both feel the U.S. mission in Iraq was not in vain.
"We accomplished a lot over there," Bryan said. "They are never going to be like us. They'll never act exactly like us, and we needn't think that's where we are headed. We tried to stand them up so they can find security for themselves, that they can move on to their own democratic society."
"I think the military affected a lot of the people there, especially the young children and young families that surround the bases," Melissa said. "I think as they grow up, they won't forget what our people brought to them."
The couple feels the war has helped people in the U.S. appreciate the men and women who fight for our freedom.
They also feel it changed their family. "I think it's brought our family closer," Melissa said.
Bryan Graves is part of the Tennessee National Guard's 245rd Military Police Company based in Lenoir City.
"I think it's brought our family closer," Melissa Graves said.
