Since 1944′s The ‘Fighting’ Sullivans to Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan in 1998, Hollywood loves exploring the complex and emotionally-charged dynamic of brothers fighting in the same war. But the Callaways of McDonough, Ga., are a real family of brothers going off to fight in the same real war.
Mark and Karmen Callaway recently bid farewell to their three sons, Ryan, 25; Jared, 23; and Seth, 20; as they left to serve in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment of the 48th Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard. And, while this occurrence is rare, the Pentagon says it’s not unheard of. For obvious reasons, however, commanding officers won’t send siblings on the same missions.
The boys’ sister, Anna Katheryn, 18, tells CNN.com she feels confident about her bothers’ safety with the United States and other NATO forces fighting Taliban and al Qaeda halfway around the world. “They’re Callaways,” she said with a smile. “They’re going to be all right. Sometimes, it does worry me, but you have to give it to Jesus and know that he’s going to take care of them.”
This isn’t the first deployment for the older brothers. Ryan and Jared spent time in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. Karmen takes comfort in knowing that her sons are going to partake in something very important over there. And she’s also learned to cope with the realities of possible loss. She carries with her three small rocks — reminders to not only count her blessings, but to also ease her worries. Ryan’s rock is imprinted with “accomplish.” Jared’s bears “courage.” Seth’s says “strength.”
And the Callaways come from a place of experience when speaking of faith. On a rainy night in 2001, Anna Katheryn and Jared survived a near-death experience when their car hydroplaned and Jared lost control of the car. The Honda flipped, leaving Anna Katheryn in a coma for seven days. Doctors told the family that Anna Katheryn probably had suffered brain damage and that they should “be prepared for a different child.”
AK-47, as she’s now endearingly called made a full recovery and recently graduated high school with honors. Karmen says that experience will help her through the upcoming months while her sons are away, taking comfort in knowing that if anything were to happen to her children, God would sustain her.
One thing is certain, there is no shortage of courage or faith in the Callaway blood. An army support group gave her an ornament holding three stars, which will hang in the Callaway kitchen until the safe return of all three boys.
