As thousands of Michiana residents gathered around their Christmas trees to open presents or relax with loved ones this year, 20-year-old Colten Evans was stuck at work.

The big difference between the 2012 Dowagiac High School graduate and the countless others who have to punch a clock during the holiday is that Colten’s office is on the other side of the world and truly lives up to the phrase “hostile work environment.”

But that is life when you make the commitment to defend our nation’s freedom. Christmas day brought those sacrifices to the forefront.

“I was a little sad but at the same time I felt proud. The reason I was a little sad was because that was my first Christmas away from my parents and family, but I felt proud at the same time because I have one of those jobs where taking a day off isn’t an option,” Colten, the son of Guy and Jackie Evans, wrote recently via email from Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. “I have a job to do, and it felt good knowing that it was because of me and my brothers that the American people can take the day off and enjoy the time with their families because we’re here fighting the enemy on their own turf.”

As an infantryman in Fox Troop 2nd Squadron of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment home-based in Vilseck, Germany, Colten has seen things most Americans only ever witness on television or in the movies.

The soldier may have come a long way — both literally and metaphorically — from some ride-alongs with the Dowagiac Police Department during law enforcement class at Van Buren Tech Center, but the fact he joined the military wasn’t surprising to anyone.

“Growing up, ever since I could remember, I wanted to join the Army,” he said. “I was always interested in the Army, because my dad and grandpa had served. That was a big factor. I always liked sitting and listening to their stories growing up.”

Although he has never regretted his decision to enlist, Colten says it isn’t as glamorous as you see in the movies.

A typical day deployed consists of various guard shifts and patrols, some coming in Strykers — a 22-ton armored infantry carrier vehicle. Many days there are lots of other tasks that need to get done.

What has been the most challenging thing he has had to overcome?

“You know, there are multiple patrols that you can say pushed your limits but it’s hard to say. There have been a lot of situations where you’re tired, hungry, cold and wet and you just don’t think it’s possible to drive on, but you dig down deep and keep moving because the guys to your left and right depend on you to do your job,” he said. “I’d have to say that overcoming this deployment overall is what I consider my biggest achievement.”

Colten said he and his fellow soldiers often get the news late and try not to get hung up on whatever is going on with the politicians in Washington, D.C.

There are other elements of what they do that doesn’t show up on the news either.

“Things the media wouldn’t pick up on would be how much work we do on a daily basis, even when we’re not out on patrol there are things that need to be done,” he said. “And another thing would be how much effort we put in to helping the people of Afghanistan, their army and their

police.”

The Afghan people are very different, Colten said, adding that it truly is a third-world country where the standard of living is very low.

“Most homes are made out of mud and straw, or old storage containers,” he said. “But they are very hard workers. They are very committed to helping their communities and their country.”

The most rewarding part of his job, he said, has been seeing the Afghan people going out to vote and seeing their police and military conduct their own operations.

“It’s good to see that all the operations we’ve conducted with them and the presence of us has helped them become more independent and more unified,” he said. “Before, the Afghan people only cared about their tribe.”

Scheduled to return to his home base in Germany sometime in April, Colten hopes to set foot on the familiar streets of Dowagiac in mid June and chow on some of the home-cooked food he misses badly.

He will be welcomed with open arms by his parents, his cousin, Crystal Lozada, and her husband Corey; and his aunt and uncle, Billy and Marjorie Finn., among others.

“I’d just like to say thank you to my friends and family who have been talking to me throughout the deployment and sending me care packages. Their support means a lot,” Colten said. “It means a lot that people in my hometown are still thinking about me and wondering what I’ve been up to when I’m thousands of miles from home.”

Colten has already been awarded the U.S. Army Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Overseas Service Award.

But he didn’t enlist for the commendations.

“What does it mean for me to be serving? To me, it’s a great honor. I’d make the same decision again if I had to. Coming from a family of military background, I always looked up to and had great respect for our veterans and I still do,” he said. “But I’m very proud that I was able to serve our great nation in the job that I did. Being in the infantry is kind of like being in a huge fraternity. We all come from different backgrounds but we all have the same reasons for joining the infantry. I’m proud to say that I served with this group and that we did our job well.”