MILTON — Master-at-arms 1 E3 Daniel Devine, stationed at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, said his experiences overseas made him realize how much he wanted to be a father.
‘IT’S THE CIRCLE OF MOTIVATION’
“The reason I kept going back to Afghanistan was because of the kids over there … (to) see how little people have around the world; kids running around the desert in bare feet, no pants,” he said.
“There’s innocence in war; kids over there being raised in it. It’s all they know. They’re told by the hierarchy to stay away from the Americans.”
Devine wanted to change children’s perception of Americans, so he would bring them gifts.
“If I went there, I gave them (candy) and art supplies; pens,” he said. “I love the Navy, and deploying and fighting for freedom, and showing we’re not big, mean people. I like showing kids we can play soccer in the middle of the road … little things, with strangers you don’t know (can affect) little ones growing up, (like) not becoming a bomb maker. That could save a life. It’s the circle of motivation.”
Devine’s experiences during deployment made him realize something about himself.
“It was the first time I knew that I wanted to have kids,” he said. “If I could show strangers, these kids, that I’m not a bad guy, maybe I could raise my own and be effective as a daddy.”
PICTURING ‘LITTLE ONES’ SMILES’
During his third deployment to Afghanistan, Devine was injured in an explosion that resulted in traumatic brain injury and cranial damage.
He said his family was stationed in Sicily, Italy while he was first flown to Bethesda, Md., for initial treatment, and later a neurosurgeon treated him in Landstuhl, Germany. His wife gave birth to their son just months before his treatment in Germany. For family reasons, they had to go to Orlando.
Devine said through all the adversity he’s faced, his children have been his “little motivators" – Anna Lee, 6 and Steven, 3.
“Going through treatment and being away from home can be a killer motivationally,” he said. “It can be rough … In the back of my head I have my family supporting me by my side emotionally. The smiles on their faces will brighten any dark days I had.
“I've been extremely fortunate in treatments being effective 'cause all I could picture was little ones’ smiles.”
FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS MOST
Throughout the most difficult part of his recovery, he said he was able to communicate with his family through Skype. That made him reflect on service members in prior conflicts, decades ago, who lacked such technology.
“It gives me so much respect for guys that served in Vietnam and before, (who) only had their memories,” he said. “For a guy who lost his memories (a side effect of his injuries) that would have been killer.”
Devine said he has a hard time remembering anything before his first couple of years in the Navy. But being a father, he said, has gotten him through the impossible.
“… I’m lucky to come home and have a daughter paint my toes,” he said.
“You can’t lose focus on what matters most, especially when there are kids involved — putting them to bed at night, going on bike rides. Love strengthens more than anything.
“For me, it’s a reason to keep pushing.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Naval Air Station Whiting Field sailor credits family for recovery after explosion