Couple finds more quality time in war zone than home

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman David Carbajal
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN --  Staying in touch with a spouse can be challenging for many deployed Airmen, but not for two members of the 35th Aerial Port Squadron.

Now that Master Sgt. Sean Veerapen and Staff Sgt. Sheila Veerapen are serving together at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, they are spending more time together than at any other time in their 15 years of marriage.

In 2010, they were both notified that they would both be going on their first deployment, but they were shocked by its location.

"We were surprised when we received orders to the same squadron," he said.

The couple arrived here together in June. Since then, Master Sgt. Veerpen has supervised the aerial port ramp section and Staff Sgt. Veerapen has worked in outbound passenger services.

"Surprisingly, Sheila and I have spent more time together here than we ever have," he said.

At home, the Veerapens would get one day off together every six to eight weeks, said Staff Sgt. Veerapen.

Before joining the Air Force, the Veerapens both enlisted in the Department of the Navy.

Master Sgt. Veerapen enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988, while Staff Sgt. Veerapen enlisted in the Navy in 2000.

After serving four years as a Marine, Master Sgt. Veerapen enlisted in the Air Force in 1992 and has worked as an air transportation manager ever since. Similarly, Staff Sgt. Veerapen crossed over to the Air Force in 2010 and works in the same field.

In their civilian capacity, the Veerapens have worked alongside each other since December 1994 when they attended the New York City Police Academy together.

"In our 17 years, we've never worked in the same borough together but we're still coworkers," she said.

Currently, Staff Sgt. Veerapen works as a patrol officer in Queens, N.Y., while the master sergeant works as a detective in the Bronx.

"The hours we work as police officers can make schedules challenging, but since we are on the same shift here, we can eat together and even take our day off together."

The transition from home to Afghanistan was a challenge for both of them.

Males and females cannot share a room during deployments, and married couples are no exception to the rule.

"There were many sleepless nights when we first got here," Master Sgt. Veerapen said.

Like all married couples who are separated during deployments, the Veerapens had to adjust to deployed life.

"With time and more communication throughout the day, we were able to overcome that," she said.

The husband and wife experienced another "first" during their deployment.

This past summer marked the first time the couple spent a Fourth of July holiday together since they have been married, Master Sgt. Veerapen said.

The couple is set to depart Kandahar at the end of October along with many other fellow Airmen from the 35th Aerial Port Squadron.