The Effect of Deployment on Marriage

Thousands of couples are affected by a spouse who deploys for military duty. The separation can take a huge toll on marriage. Tonight we will talk about how to cope with the hardships and time away from each other. My guests are Lieutenant Stephen Zachary and his wife Terry. They will share their tips on how to keep the love and relationship strong and Steve will share his perspective as a Navy Chaplain.Married for 25 years, the Zachary's are the parents of 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Their 24 year-old son Timothy was born with Down Syndrome and diagnosed with autism in 1999. Although his severe mental and developmental disabilities are always a challenge, he has been a great joy in their lives. Lt. Stephen Zachary has served as an active duty Navy Chaplain for the last 8 years and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Military Ministry with Regents University. He has been deployed 3 times (Iraq,Afghanistan, and most recently - the USS Pearl Harbor in Indonesia and along the African coast. Terry received her BS in Nursing, served as a nurse and in the Air Force and received her Master's Degree in Nursing in 1988. She’s held several positions as an RN in various positions, including instructor of nursing, but throughout their 25 year marriage, faith, marriage and family have always come first. She has devoted some of her years to being a full time mother and working in her children's schools,supporting her husband's career by volunteer involvement with the military and their home churches. The Zachary’s will share their secrets for lifelong love in the midst of deployment – the adjustments, readjustments, transitions required and added challenge of raising a handicapped child in the absence of one parent. Lieutenant Zachary will also share common struggles that military members and their families encounter surrounding deployment. FB page: Marriage Coach Lynn Twitter: MarriageCoachLn www.marriagecoachlynn.com-sign up for monthly newsletter