The crowd of families pour in, the time is set for arrival, all are expecting loved ones to walk through the terminal at Lambert International Airport. Carisa Dalton, her twins Ashley and Matthew and family members wait in anxiousness. Finally, they spot him; he’s thinner than remembered, but beside himself with happiness. His three year old twins greet him first with bright smiles and family members sigh a breath of relief at his safe return. Biology teacher, Christopher Dalton, had just returned from an approximate eight month mission to Iraq. On March 5, Chris’ children and family were very happy when greeting him in the airport.

“I was a little bit nervous; I went with a unit where I didn’t know anybody,”

Chris said. “But I made a lot of new friends and received a sense of accomplishment once the mission was complete.”

During Chris’ time in Iraq, the only contact he and his family had was over Skype, a web cam and voice setup for long distance communication.

Ashley and Matthew listened to their father’s voice through undecipherable,choppy video.

“The main thing was my kids, I was so happy to come home to them and I didn’t think about anything else,” Chris said.” My kids had grown almost a year older, they were so much bigger.”

Carisa had hardly any contact with her husband and worried when overhearing explosions in the background of their conversations. Carisa had to keep busy while Chris was away, to keep her mind off of him in Iraq.

“At first, when I learned he was to be deployed, I was scared and terrified because I didn’t know if it’d be the last time I saw him. It was a lot of uncertainty,” Carisa explained.” I was pretty upset and angry in a way, I didn’t want him to put his life on the line, but oh my gosh, when I saw him home safe- it was a big relief to know and see he was alright.”

Here at school, teachers like Linda Lott had a similar attitude as Carisa. Lott believes Chris to be a phenomenal teacher who works exceptionally and consistently with his students and was pleased to have Chris back and to share a room with him this year, teaching together.

“I was concerned, I know he has a family and kids,” Lott said. “And I was also extremely proud of him.”

While Carisa had the children to look after and her job, a SPED teacher at Parkway Middle, Chris had a different, more strenuous job to complete. In Iraq. Chris was Captain and his mission there was logistic support of American troops, or to supply things such as fuel and water. Chris worked in transport, which consisted of building and managing convoys, in what Chris described as a highly volatile area. Chris was surrounded by frequent rocket mortar attacks, but was not out in the field of combat, so received no injuries. Chris was located at Joint Base Balad, Northeast of Baghdad. Chris had very busy days, working 9-12 hour shifts sometimes. Chris and others on the base had no weekends, as the days of the week blended together.

“Being far away from home was tough, I can’t say I enjoyed rocket mortar attacks and it was just being away form home, I was happy when I left for home,” Chris said.

After eight long, daunting months, Chris safely returned to his family.

Chris continued to greet his family members in the love filled, crowded airport. Carisa approached, hugs were contagious.

“I’m so glad you’re home and safe.”