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Brennan Linsley / AP
Not much more than a week back from Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Aaron Dunn smiles while holding his baby, Emma, at home in Fountain, Colo. on Dec. 8, 2012.
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn kisses his wife Leanne as they reunite during an arrival ceremony for soldiers returning from a deployment in Afghanistan, at Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs on Nov. 30, 2012. 1st Lt. Dunn, with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, had not seen his wife and baby since he deployed in March.
Brennan Linsley, a photographer with The Associated Press, spent time with the family of First Lt. Aaron Dunn over the past month as they adjusted to Aaron's homecoming from Afghanistan.
"Emma was 5 months old when I deployed, and 14 months old when I returned," explains Dunn, pictured above holding his daughter beside the Christmas tree at his home in Fountain, Colo.
Emma had little clear memory of him when he came home, Dunn explains, though he had been able to witness her growing up during his 9-month deployment thanks to the wonders of modern communication. "I was able to stay in touch with the family and had the luck to watch Emma begin to crawl via Skype," he says.
Nevertheless, it has taken some weeks for her to accept his role as a parent after so long away. "I have basically let Emma set the pace with what she is comfortable with," Dunn says.
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn removes his belongings from his army duffel bag on the morning of his return from a deployment in Afghanistan, Nov. 30, 2012. Dunn's combat team was charged with engaging Taliban fighters in Kunar Province and mentoring Afghan government soldiers.
Asked what he'll miss about Afghanistan, Dunn says: "Probably getting to do my job. It's one thing to train, but it's a whole different thing when you are actually doing what you have worked so hard at during training. The rewards are there."
Soldier who lost 4 limbs in Afghanistan returns home to hero's welcome
"In my opinion, its tougher on the families, especially after the unit takes a casualty. I personally can't imagine waiting, not knowing if your loved one is alive or even alright, and having a panic each time a car drives by your drive way thinking it's the military chaplain and escort coming to see you."
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn tries to feed his baby Emma as his wife Leanne watches, at home in Fountain, Colo. on Dec. 9, 2012.
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn cuts a Christmas tree in an area of National Forest reserved for seasonal cutting, as his wife Leanne carries their baby Emma in a backpack, outside Woodland Park, Colo. on Dec. 8, 2012.
Asked about switching gears from fighter to family man, Dunn says: "A lot of people seem to think that 'quality time' will make up for a long absence. It doesn't. Its 'quantity time' that does that. It's the time spent doing things that are fun, but also the time spent doing the daily chores, and other routines that firmly bring a family together."
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn and his wife Leanne, left, look at photos of Dunn's fellow soldiers in Afghanistan as baby Emma vies for their attention, at home in Fountain, Colo. on Dec. 9, 2012.
Brennan Linsley / AP
Three weeks back home from the war in Afghanistan, Aaron Dunn and his wife Leanne pray during services at their church, in Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 2012.
"War and coming home are going to mean different things to each soldier," Dunn says. "For me it was God and family. I get my security in life from my hope in God, and my companionship and support from my family."
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn and his wife Leanne cook at home in Fountain on Dec. 9, 2012.
Asked what's the best thing about being home, Dunn says: "Family - at the risk of sounding cliched, I really don't care about much else but being with family and the ones I love... and the ability to decide on a whim to go somewhere without any concerns or restrictions - like getting shot at."
Brennan Linsley / AP
Aaron Dunn watches as his wife Leanne reads a bedtime story to their baby Emma on Dec. 9, 2012.
More from Brennan Linsley: In harm's way: Photographer documents moments of relief, heartbreak in Afghanistan
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LT. DUNN
Watch out for the sleeping giant you brought home with you !!!!
It is still very early but over time PTSD will sneak up on you . It may take a few years to do but it will. Just as it has done to many of us who went into battle before you. The signs and symptoms will slowly catch up with you. Look for signs of depression and anxiety , along with nightmares, flash backs and night sweats.
Better yet . Find a good psychologist who knows PTSD and get yourself checked out. Find out if you have it. If you do . Getting an early start with treatment will go along way to help keep you and your family together. Family and good friends around is most important to a good recovery.
WELCOME HOME MY BROTHER WELCOME !!!!!!
bob
Bob you are so right..It crept up on me 6 months after being home thinking I can deal with it on my own. Welcome home LT.
Welcome home, my heart goes out to you and your family and thank you so much for keeping my family safe. I just welcomed my own son home from a different branch of the military and the feelings are indescribable after such a long deployment. Good will to you and yours...
I can't even imagine what it would be like. I know it was a change getting out of the military let alone come from a war. May God grant you peace.
Why do I read this stuff?
I guess for the same reason I look at an auto accident when I pass by. The difference being that the auto accident doesn't give me a panic attack.
I don't understand at all. Not at all. I simply cannot in any way relate to a mind that can bleat about God and family after committing mass murder.
And PLEASE, don't even talk b.s. about defending me. It had nothing to do with me, my rights, or the security of the U.S. and everyone knows it, whether they are honest enough to admit it or are hiding their murderous blood-lust with prattle about their God and their family.
My blood runs cold for that little girl. I wonder how many other little girls in this world died or lost their daddies because of this man. And now those same hands hold a baby girl who is somehow different and special because she is his baby girl and not a brown-skinned little girl who is taught to worship a different god half-a-world away.
Opinion, but why live in America if it is war mongering as you suggest? Remember the Vietnam War? The people of Vietnam live under one of the worlds worst dictatorships. So I guess the South Vietnamese people should have fought harder.
So go to these American war ravaged nations an do humanitarian work. No need to sit in the comfort and security of America. But then nobody is defending your freedom as you think.
War is hell. Sounds cliche', but it is true. In every war, the decisions are made by people far away from the trenches and sand hills, and it is up to the rank and file, like this man, to follow orders and, even in the midst of killing "the enemy", struggle to retain their humanity. It has been this way since the dawn of civilization, no matter which part of the globe you are looking at. I understand your frustration and angst, but where do you think it is any better? And if you have found such a place, why don't you go there? That is one the most precious freedoms our country affords you - THE FREEDOM TO LEAVE!
think u for u life on the line and think god this nut is wrong in every out look on life I don't know what GOD they worship but think GOD it's not my GOD
think you for putting your life on the line for me and mine and think GOD this nut 's GOD is not mine agin think u