Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series about Sean Cannon, who is serving in Iraq. The first part appeared last week on page A4.
Last week, Maj. Sean Cannon, a BYU-Idaho professor deployed in Iraq since January, was featured, but only half his story was told.
Cannon and his family have experienced many trials in their separation, but have been able to overcome and allow the trials to positively affect their lives.
How is Cannon able to cope with the life interruption of leaving his home and family? While his experience and sense of adventure have helped him, he credits his supportive family and friends for getting him through the hard times.
“My wife, Lorena, has been a constant source of strength to me even in my weakest moments when I get depressed,” Cannon said.
Cannon said that his family has also been blessed by wonderful neighbors and ward members. “The community has just been amazing,” Lorena said. “I can’t even describe it.”
Cannon’s religious beliefs have also helped him. “The perspective the gospel brings into my life is something my soldiers notice. There is a calmness about separation from home and extreme danger that comes from a knowledge of God’s plan and that one is on the right path,” he said.
Being able to attend church while in Iraq has been a great strength to Cannon. He is part of the largest number of church members in Iraq or Kuwait. He has been recently called as a representative to the stake counselor, which is similar to a high counselor.
“It’s wonderful to be able to get away from the chaos and the cares of the world once each week by attending church,” Cannon said. Soldiers in his ward also have Family Home Evening and an occasional social activity. Cannon also reported that they have had two baptisms since he’s been there.
Even with the long-term perspective the gospel provides Cannon, this experience has not come without its challenges for his entire family.
Lorena said that their five children, ages eight months to 18, have had to grow up a lot since their father has been gone. She related her children’s experiences to those of the pioneers — many children had to step up to the trial and challenge, but were then blessed for it.
“When life is going well and easy we remember the Lord, but we don’t rely on him as much as when life is hard … we have become a lot closer [to each other] and to God,” Lorena said. “We just suck it up and go on.”
The prayers of many family, friends and neighbors have helped the Cannon’s through these tough times.
The Cannon’s are also very appreciative of the support the school has given Cannon throughout the deployment process. “The college has been bending over backwards for him, keeping his job open and making sure he can teach when he comes back,” Lorena said.
Cannon said he is also grateful for the school’s support and to the students of BYU-Idaho.
“I just want to tell the students how much I love and admire them,” Cannon said.
“Having worked with college-age soldiers for the last year, I have a testimony of how much the gospel can refine human nature. I admire them for avoiding the subtle temptations of the world and holding fast to the iron rod,” he said. “Their moral courage is as great or greater than the bravery I see every day on the roads of Iraq.”
Cannon is expected to return home in December, just in time for his daughter’s first birthday.
Lorena described having Cannon gone as trying to stand on one leg, and while she’s proud of what her husband’s doing, she’s ready to have him back home, because “standing on one leg is getting tiring.”
Having Cannon deployed “has really made the Iraqi conflict more personal for all of us,” said Michael Madsen, geography professor at BYU-I. “We’re really excited to have him come back. He is a great example of the type of employees that are at this school … he is just a terrific man.”
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