ksby.com | January 18, 2013
Halfway around the world, San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Dan Dow has another title.
He is known as Captain Daniel Dow and provides legal expertise to the United States Military; he has been in Iraq since April of last year.
The northern San Luis Obispo County man says being away from his five-year-old daughter Chloe and three-year-old son Jed is the most difficult part of his tour.
He says the country is safer now than it was several years ago but that he has had close encounters with danger.
“There have been times where I would have to say we were fortunate not to have personal harm come to us in our office,” Captain Dow said.
And it’s times like those that worry Captain Dow’s wife, Wendy Dow, who is home, raising the couple’s two kids.
“Last night, we were talking about Daddy,” Wendy said. “She goes, ‘Mom, can we not talk about Daddy right now because you’re kind of making my heart sad.'”
Captain Dow has been deployed for about eight months now and hopes to make it back in time for his daughter’s birthday in early spring.
“They’ve grown and done things, and I’m sure there’s a lot of things we’ve got to learn about each other, but we’re just really excited to get back together and spend quality time,” he said.
The family tries to Skype several times a week but says they encounter problems with Internet connections and time-zone difference.
Wendy says many people want to debate the politics of being in Iraq when for her, it is not about the policies; it’s about her husband.
“You know, they want to make a comment about whether or not they should be there,” she said. “I don’t care whether or not they should be there. My husband’s there. And there are lots of great men and women who are away from their families and making a sacrifice that a lot of America would not be willing to make.”
He and his family both say they greatly appreciate the support their families and communities have given them; Wendy said someone from the District Attorney’s office delivers a hot meal for them every Monday evening.
It’s often the little things you think about, and Captain Dow says one of the things he misses the most on the central coast is just a cup of good ol’ downtown espresso.
“I’m an espresso junkie so that’s one thing i’m looking forward to getting back and enjoying–relaxing with a cup of espresso from some of the shops in downtown SLO,” he said.
Captain Dow’s tour is scheduled to end later this spring; he was able to return for two weeks in August to visit his family.
He and his wife just celebrated their 18th anniversary.
