O'FALLON, Ill. (KSDK) -The new year brings both pride and apprehension for one O'Fallon, Illinois family.
The McCoy family boasts an impressive military history.
Both Debbie and Mark McCoy served in the Air Force. Mark's grandfather served in World War I. It's a legacy that has now passed to their two children starting with their daughter, Johanna, who serves in the Army.
Their son Sean soon followed. He is currently serving in Afghanistan.
Mark will soon see more of his son because 22 years after retiring from the military, he'll be heading overseas once again. He's deploying to Afghanistan as an environmental engineer.
"Most men have a mid-life crisis, they have an affair, they buy an expensive sports car. I say mine decides to go to Afghanistan for a year," said Debbie McCoy.
Debbie knows the next year will be difficult without her husband, but she's proud her family continues the tradition of service, and she knows that she'll have all the support she needs until they're together again.
KSDK