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Returning to Long Island, Military Reservist Reunites with his Family 
Military reservists, members of the National Guardsmen and active duty military personnel spend time training and preparing to be called to defend and protect our national security and interests. Joe Lorenzoni was called upon, leaving behind his wife and three children.
“My wife and I had to prepare for my deployment together,” said Lorenzoni. “I wanted to make the transition easier, hoping that it would reduce some of the stress while I was away. We organized our family responsibilities and made sure everything was in order with medical insurance and financial needs and obligations."
Lorenzoni’s wife took on all of the family responsibilities during his deployment: paying bills, shopping for food, helping their children with homework, driving them to sports and social events and managing their home. Luckily, she was supported throughout her husband’s deployment by a network of family and friends, Lorenzoni’s reserve unit family support group, his coworkers at Verizon and his fellow union members. But, life during Lorenzoni’s deployment still wasn’t easy for him or his family.
“The hardest part of my deployment was being separated from my children and my wife,” said Lorenzoni. “Not being able to give them a hug, a kiss goodnight, or to be there when they, or even my parents, needed me. But before I left, I told my children that I loved them very much. I reminded them to be good, to do their homework and listen to their mother. I assured them that we would talk on the phone, e-mail and write letters, and that I would be home when my work was done.”
When Lorenzoni completed his deployment, the military provided a demobilization program, but told him returning to a “normal” civilian life would be a challenge for him and his family. “We took things slow and in small steps. We spent a lot of time together catching up and being a family."
Upon Lorenzoni’s return, he and his family were not only in need of rebuilding their personal bond, but getting through a difficult financial period between the time of his demobilization and retuning to civilian employment. He contacted United Way of Long Island’s Military Reservists Fund through which the Lorenzoni family received much-needed financial assistance.
“United Way’s Military Family Fund is a great program. My family and I are very thankful for the help we received from United Way."
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