It's a dangerous job, so the days leading up to deployment is tough on soldiers and their families.
First Lieutenant George Lopez will be in charge of 35 soldiers as they clear routes for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.
The 25-year-old will take on big responsibilities for the next year, but this weekend he's packing and telling his loved ones goodbye.
His gear is heavy, but the most important thing 1st Lt. George Lopez is packing barely weighs anything: a picture of him and his mother.
"That's gonna be the biggest thing, is taking pictures with me just to reminisce about those times and telling myself at the end of it all, come back and things will be back," said Lt. George Lopez.
The St. Mary's high school grad and former Sun Devil will leave behind his parents, Sylvia and George, as well as his wife of two years, Maria. All three are coping with the same fear.
"Him not coming back," said Maria Lopez.
Maria will live with her parents in Texas for the year. Sylvia and George plan to take trips in hopes that travel will take their mind of their youngest child's deployment.
"We're very close. It's always been that way from the day I had him in my arms, from the day he was born, I knew he was my special baby," said Sylvia Lopez.
"Being very close to them and being the youngest one is kind of rough because they've been my backbone all through college when I was at ASU, you know, making sure I grew up the right way," said Lt. George Lopez.
Lt. George Lopez says he'll miss watching Arizona State football games and reality TV shows with his wife.
"Being apart is hard but we'll get through it," said Maria Lopez.
Lopez is proud to serve his country and all he asks for in return is that people in our community continue to support the troops.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:26 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:26:50 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
George Lopez
