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The Hansen family, of Soddy-Daisy, stands on their front porch welcoming home their military soldier. Front from left are Wyatt Hansen, 9, Sara Hansen, 6, and Elias Hansen, 13. Back from left are Shan Hansen and her husband E01 SCW Kenneth Hansen, of the United States Navy Seabees. Photo by Katie Ward
Kenneth Hansen is settling into life in Soddy-Daisy after returning from a recent tour of duty in Iraq.
After a deployment of nine months with six months spent in Iraq, Hansen, a United States Seabees E01 SCW, said it’s good to be home. Hansen served nine years active duty and is serving his sixth year in the Reserves.
“It was my first Operation Iraqi Freedom tour, but I served in Desert Storm too,” said Hansen. “This time we are helping rebuild.”
According to Hansen, Seabees consist of a mobile vertical and horizontal construction battalion.
“I’m a heavy equipment operator,” said Hansen. “We can build utilities, roads, electric systems, plumbing and water systems.”
Hansen said that Seabees focus on opening up roads, fixing bridges and Marine Corps assistance.
“We did open roads up,” said Hansen. “I worked on the Wadia Project, a water crossing. We opened up a road called Uranium.”
Hansen’s wife, Shan, serves in the Tennessee National Guard working in the medical command prepping troops to go overseas. She served in the U.S. Navy for four years before joining the Guard more than a year ago.
“We work as a team,” said Shan Hansen, of working with her husband. “We are very team-oriented.”
Kenneth Hansen said his job in Iraq was easier than being apart from his family.
“My hero is my wife and my kids,” he said. “When I left to go overseas my wife was in school, taking the kids to school, fostering a child and going to work too. My wife blew me away. She is awesome.”
Soddy-Daisy Middle School student Elias Hansen, 13, said he is excited to be able to go fishing with his dad again. Soddy Elementary School student Sara Hansen, 6, said it’s really great to have him home because she missed him and loves him. Soddy Elementary School student Wyatt Hansen, 9, said he is excited to play his new XBOX 360 with his dad.
“I’m proud of him, he did a great job,” said Shan Hansen of her husband’s tour. “We Web-camed, e-mailed and Skyped every day.”
Kenneth Hansen said he plans to take his wife to the Navy Ball in November.
“We tell everyone every day is our anniversary,” said Kenneth Hansen. “We are more in love than we have ever been.”
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