The Army’s Quincy Arnold enjoyed her time off during “Operation Vacation” in the Fraser Valley.

Arnold spent the time with children Asiana, 12, and Ja’Korus, 9, from April 11-13.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., who is stationed at Fort Carson, she has served for 10 1/2 years and is deployed in Iraq.

“The military has allowed for me to experience many different things I wouldn’t normally do on a regular day,” Arnold said. “I chose my profession and (am) proud to contribute in whatever way possible to support my fellow soldiers in the Human Resources profession.”

Her favorite part of her of her job is ensuring soldiers and her unit is taken care of in regards to human resource.

The toughest part is leaving family.

“With any deployment or time I am away from my family, it’s made me value the smallest things in life. I learned to slow down and enjoy life.”

Her family is a part of the military in different ways, she said.

“My mother works at the VA Hospital as a LPN in Iowa City, Iowa. My grandmother is a dietitian at the Veteran’s Home in St. Louis, Mo. And my sister is an LPN at Family Practice at Evans Army Community Hospital.

“I have been able to do this job with the help of God, family, and friends since I began.”

She heard about Operations Vacation from her unit. Operation Vacation is a nonprofit organization that reunites soldiers with their families on free vacations in the Colorado mountains.

“I thank my unit for recommending me for Operation Vacation and giving me and my family time to experience something new and different,” she said.

She tried skiing and enjoyed the scenery and local restaurants during her first stay in Grand County. The area is beautiful, Arnold said.

Operation Vacation is funded entirely by private and corporate donations. It is committed to providing troops an all expenses-paid weekend getaways, allowing them quality family time.