By Gabriel Pruett

The News staff writer

NEDERLAND — Twice his life has been out of his hands, but on a day to remember those who have fought for freedom, Jeremy Seiley is a stronger man for the work he has done.

Seiley, a 1997 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, has spent nearly two-and-a-half years in Iraq since Aug. 2004 as an Army National Guard soldier in the war.

He did not go for the glory and he certainly did not go for the fame.

Seiley, a Nederland resident, went because he was called up to serve his country.

The father of two daughters finished his second tour in the Middle East in May and has a different take on life.

What used to bother Seiley no longer matters. The trivial problems in day-to-day life have no impact on his day.

He now appreciates more than ever the rights each of us is privileged to carry.

He cannot stomach those who abuse or forget about the freedoms he fought for on a daily basis.

“For over two years I was not allowed to have those basic rights,” Seiley said. “I was unable to come and go as I please. I couldn’t choose what I wanted to eat at night and was unable to kiss my kids good night.”

Seiley was even close to not being able to witness his second daughter’s, Fallon, birth.

His wife, Christy, was due at the same time as Seiley’s departure back to Iraq for a second tour.

“I was really not sure I would be able to see her,” Seiley said. “The doctor induced labor so I could have a couple weeks with her before I was shipped back to Iraq. It was too close. I was bound and determined to not show up just to see Christy give birth to Fallon.”

Seiley left for his second deployment in June 2007 and came back near the end of May.