KSAWTV.COM | Twin Falls News, Breaking News, Weather and Sports-Idaho Family Embraces Possible Redeployment to Afghanistan
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President Barack Obama addressed the country Tuesday night about his plans of sending more troops to Afghanistan.
The Mraz family knows all too well what this means for their son. They say for those families who have never experienced deployment said it's tough but they'll always stand by their troops.
The Mraz family has a history of being in the military but they never wanted their son to enlist.
But when Eric joined just three years after the September 11th attacks, his family supported his decision.
"Knock on wood he's been blessed he has never been injured in combat being in Iraq or Afghanistan but you just never know what tomorrow brings," said Eric's mother Bertie Mraz.
The 27-year old solider returned from a tour in Afghanistan this summer and is now stationed at Fort Monroe Virginia.
He tells his family it's getting worse overseas.
That's why the commander in chief wants to send 30-thousand more troops to Afghanistan as early as next year.
But for the Mraz family they want to see 50-thousand troops or more.
"The last thing I heard from him in the 16-months that he was there...We're always short-handed, we're always short handed, not complaining but it's always something you hear," said Eric's father Bill Mraz.
As an MP Eric says the Afghan police were eager to learn from the U.S. soldiers. Today's Channel 6 talked to him about his experience there through a phone interview.
"I was part of a 3 man police team to train the first swat like team in Afghanistan. We taught them everything from busting down doors and going into homes to hostage rescue," said Specialist Eric Mraz from the 527th Military Police unit.
After watching the President speak about another deployment the Mraz family says once again they'll worry about their son's safety his new family and their new grand daughter.
Mom and Dad said even if their Eric is again sent to a war zone they are proud of their son's strength.
"Just knowing that he feels he's doing it for his country and his family," said Eric's mother Bertie.
The Mraz family said they agree with President Obama's plan on sending more troops and hope to see them get deployed sooner rather than later.
