New Address Poses No Problem For Wife Of Deployed Fort Bragg Soldier

Jen Dallas is still trying to figure out where she put everything. She and her two kids just moved to Fayetteville two weeks ago.

"It's not as bad as I thought it would be," Jen said.

At first, the 23-year-old did not know what to expect. She did not know a soul in Fayetteville. Her husband, Sgt. Jason Dallas, transferred to Fort Bragg in January and deployed in February before Jen and the kids could even move to town.

While he is in Iraq on his first major deployment, she has picked out their house, unpacked and learned her way around.

"I'm kind of grateful to have something to do to keep me busy while he's gone -- something special while he's away to make a home for him to come home to," Jen said.

Through Jason's unit, Jen has been able to get their new phone number to him, but with things so busy in Iraq, he has not been able to call.

In just two weeks, she said she has already met a few families and arranged play dates for her son. Still, she does not have neighbors or close friends to help her when she needs a break from the kids. She said she takes the kids out to community events and relying on her family and friends by phone.

Jen said she knew one way to meet people and stay busy was to immediately become involved in a family readiness group on post. She is now helping out with fund raising.