Holiday cheer from families for Iowa troops overseas

CEDAR RAPIDS - Soldiers' spouses and children gathered Sunday afternoon to send a few holiday surprises to their loved ones overseas.

Though Christmas is still about seven weeks away, it takes awhile for mail to reach soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

“I can't even put into words how much I miss him. Every day, I count down until he can be with us again,” said Nicole Cihla of Cedar Rapids. Her husband, Spc. Ron Cihla, is with Company C of the 2/34 Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

Nicole Cihla said the past few months have been tough on her and on the couple's young twin daughters, Kayleah and Lauren. She said spending time at VFW Post 788, 3240 Southgate Pl. SW, stuffing stockings with other military families provided some comfort.

“It really helps to know there are other people going through the same thing as you,” she said. “It gets us all excited, and the soldiers are also super excited because they know they're getting something from home.”

Erin Flage of Aplington said she has struggled with the separation. Her husband, Spc. Justin Flage, is serving in the same unit as Cihla.

“The hardest part is the lack of communication and not being able to talk every day. E-mail is nice, but it's not the same as being able to give him a hug every night,” she said. “You deal with it like everybody else. You go one day at a time. It's an important job they're doing. So we're here to support them.”

Erin Flage said being separated at Christmas is especially difficult, because it's also the anniversary of the couple's engagement.