By Nate Jones

Staff Writer 

For members of the military, just getting home can be quite an ordeal. Charlie Summers said it took him nearly three days of traveling through countries including Kuwait and Germany before he finally returned to the United States.

“Everybody that’s been there has gone through it,” he said. “Honestly, I never thought I’d be so happy to see snow.”

Summers has been serving as a liaison officer for the Communications Division of the Strategic Effects Directorate with reconstruction teams in Baghdad for the past eight months. He said his duties include working with modern technology, including a Digital Video Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS), to allow American media sources access to Iraqi issues.

“DVIDS allow certain niche publications to experience what’s going on over there, largely unfiltered,” Summers said.

Although Summers has been in the military for some time, he said being thrust into a war zone for the first time takes some adjusting.

“It’s all military all the time. You have to get used to the battle rhythm,” he said. 

After spending time with his wife and family, Charlie was scheduled to make the long trip back to Iraq on Saturday. He said he could “roll out” in May, returning home after nearly a year of service.

“I’m happy to be part of the mission,” he said. 

Citing military regulations, Summers declined to speak about his candidacy for the U.S. Congress seat being vacated by Tom Allen.