HAMILTON, Ohio — Tri-State military families are fearing deployments following tension in the Middle East, and that goes double for Earl Wood.
Wood has two sons - ages 23 and 24 – in the Army. Each son has a child of his own.
“We know the possibility is they might not come back alive, and that's the roughest part about it,” said Wood.
“I mean, you worry about your kids falling down, getting hurt or anything. My sons can die. But they're defending our freedoms.”
The Pentagon sent about 4,500 troops to the region this month to reinforce bases and airfields. That was on top of around 50,000 already there.
"It's unsettling,” Wood said, “but at the same time they're doing the greatest honor for the country, so I can accept that.”
He showed WCPO photos of his sons that he looks at every night.
The pair have been stationed across the world. He hasn't hugged them in four years.
“I got butterflies, you Know what I mean, every time I think about it.”
His message to his sons?
“I’m the proudest dad on earth right now,” Wood said. “I love them and I hope the best for them.”
Our local Emergency Management and Department of Homeland Security wants people here to watch for potential cyber attacks from Iran. The director has briefed hospitals, Duke Energy, banks and other companies in case they lose power or internet.
