Darel Maxfield
Age: 47
Hometown: Born and raised in Spokane.
Occupation: Social studies teacher at Ferris High School; lieutentant colonel and commander of the Army Reserves’ 3rd battalion of the 415th Regiment in the 104th Division.
How life has changed since Sept. 11: The sorrow lingers, affecting many aspects of his life — from traveling to teaching to training for war.
“I am an instrument of the armed service, but I don’t happily go off to kill somebody. The peace activist gets to stay at home. The guy that pays the ultimate price for war is the soldier.”
Specific impact on daily life: He keeps his hair cut short — the “Eisenhower” haircut is more convenient when you have to wear a helmet and a gas mask. When he leaves for military training once a month, he has a greater awareness that his “time on Earth” is finite, prompting him to hold his family even closer.
He talks about the military more during his current world affairs classes at Ferris. As a military commander, “it’s my signature that sends these guys out the door — it makes my heart very heavy. It’s a huge responsibility.”
His secret to adapting: His family’s love; faith in God; a fervent belief in the American system of government and the American military.
“My army is a good army. We are a just army. We are the best army on earth. The people of the United States have made a huge investment in us, and we will follow through.”
What he has lost: Naivete.
As he saw images of men and women who died on American soil during the terrorist attacks, his sense of security unraveled. No longer does he feel that America is set apart from the world and protected by two great oceans.
“We are more vulnerable.”
What he has gained: A sense of purpose — in training, in teaching, in living his life.
What he misses most: Traveling without all the hassles and the feeling of safety in this world.
“I miss not having a tangible enemy. Now, we know exactly who we’re fighting.”