Kansas National Guard Capt. Matt Jordon, Lawrence, and his wife, Cherry, enjoy being home together again after Matt's year serving in Iraq. Since returning home in September, the Jordans have worked to make a smooth transition back into civilian life for Matt.

In the garage of Matt and Cherry Jordon’s west Lawrence home sits a shiny black 1966 Chevelle with tinted windows. New Kansas license plates and registration tags sit on the kitchen counter.

While Matt’s combat buddies talked of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, he opted for the antique muscle car he always wanted.

It’s a well-deserved treat to himself after serving a year in Iraq. The treat to his wife, Cherry, for his year and half absence was completing a rather long honey-do list and cooking dinner – leg of lamb and steaks on the grill – during his 45-day vacation.

The couple has returned to what Cherry dubs the “new normal.”

In September, Matt returned with the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment. He was a company commander of the air assault helicopter company.

Matt has been one of 5,000 service members from the Kansas National Guard who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan. About 100 National Guardsman from Douglas County have served since 2003.

In Iraq, Matt and his crew of Black Hawk pilots worked 14- to 20-hour days. They flew soldiers, civilians and dignitaries throughout the country.

His proudest accomplishment was bringing all of the 46 soldiers under his command home.

After watching his buddies go off to Iraq, Matt said he felt obligated to serve.

“This is why you put on the uniform,” he said.

But still the time apart from his wife was difficult.

The couple communicated about every week to 10 days. Cherry kept a list of things to tell him and took over the household budget. She befriended other military wives.

Matt has been away from home for half of the couple’s seven-year relationship. First it was to Bosnia and then to Iraq.

Before the last deployment, Cherry said, they had to weigh if they should start a family.

“The hardest (thing) is your life is put on hold,” she said.