Mom and dad are extremely proud

LOWER TRURO - The past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for Sheila Hamilton.
Sheila and her husband Bruce's two sons, Bruce and Jonathan, each completed six-month tours in Afghanistan with the Canadian military. Bruce, a master-corporal in the infantry section that is based in Gagetown, left in February and returned on Aug. 14.
"We were so excited he was home. You just couldn't wait to get him in your arms and two days later we had to be in Quebec to see (Jonathan) off," Sheila said. "From such a happy moment back down to starting all over."
She said it's been a hectic year having their boys so far away and knowing the dangers they were facing in the war-torn country. At first, Sheila said, she told herself the boys were just out in the field practicing and training.
But 2.5 weeks after Bruce arrived in Afghanistan, the family was notified his group had been shot at but all were OK.
"That's when reality really set in," Sheila admits.
Another morning they were awakened by a 4 a.m. phone call saying Bruce was all right but one of his friends had been killed.
"The military was really good at getting them to notify their families when something did happen, so we didn't have to hear it on the news." Sheila said. "That was a blessing."
But there were some stressful times during the past year.
"Every time the phone rang and it said unknown name, unknown number it was like my heart was in my mouth," Sheila said. "I didn't know if ... something had happened."
A large yellow ribbon is displayed proudly in the Hamilton home's picture window and family members have smaller replicas on or in their vehicles.
"My husband and I are extremely proud of our boys, so proud of them," Sheila said. "As a family we don't take anything for granted anymore. We're closer than we've ever been."
She is grateful and relieved to have her sons safely back in Canada but knows the boys will be affected from everything they have witnessed and endured during the tours of duty. She even noticed Bruce was a little edgy with the loud noises from the New Year's fireworks.
"In a way, I guess, they'll never be the same," Sheila said.