Life for the seven-member Knight family of Dixfield took a dramatic turn in February.

That’s when Kathy Knight’s husband, Major Karl Knight, an environmental science officer in a U.S. Army medical brigade, went off to Kuwait and war with Iraq via Fort Drum in New York.

“At first, it was difficult when he got deployed, but we just keep busy and you get your mind off things,” Kathy Knight said Wednesday.

School sports is one such outlet for the family’s five children.

“The kids have been doing OK because they’re involved in sports,” she said, noting that she’s been relying more on her son Kevin, a senior at Dirigo High School, in the absence of her husband.

Despite the long distance separation between duty and family, Karl Knight always manages to call home once or twice a week. That helps.

“His orders were to serve for up to a year, but if he comes back before a year, I’ll be happy,” Kathy Knight said.

And then there’s the outpouring of support from the community and church.

“That’s what keeps us going. People offer us whatever we need, which is really nice,” she added.

– Terry Karkos