Bronze Star recipient Capt. Carl Close and his wife, Kara, walk off stage after a medal ceremony Monday afternoon recognizing the captain’s efforts in Kandahar Afghanistan. Kara stayed behind during the year he was deployed to Afghanistan, a hardship many military families endure during today’s high operations tempo. “A year is a long time,†said Captain Close during his ceremony speech. “I thank my wife for being here.†The captain’s father, visiting from North Carolina, also attended the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Melissa Barnett)