Michael Deal, center, of Buffalo Township and his sons, Jonathan, left, of Buffalo Township and Michael Jr. of Pittsburgh served together as part of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which was deployed in January to Iraq. Despite hectic schedules and being split between two companies, the trio was able to spend time together at least weekly before they returned in September. They said Veterans Day has a much more special meaning to them now.

BUFFALO TWP — Although Michael Deal and his two sons have always enjoyed playing chess, the board on Deal's coffee table signifies a deeper bond between them.

Deal, a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, bought the chess board in Iraq before returning from duty there in September.

His sons, Michael Jr., 25, and Jonathan, 21, served along with their father at Camp Taji, about 20 miles north of Baghdad. The Deals served as part of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, deployed in January.

Deal and Jonathan, who enlisted in August 2007, both hold the rank of specialist in the 856 Engineer Company, which often was charged with clearing IEDs from roads and helping to rebuild infrastructure.

Now 43, Deal enlisted just in time to beat the age limit of 42, which later was lowered to 35.

As a member of ROTC, Michael Jr. was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 2007, the month he graduated from college. In Iraq, he worked for military intelligence, serving as a first lieutenant.

Although divided between two companies, the trio flew on the same plane to Iraq, maintaining contact after arriving despite their sometimes hectic schedules.

"We did see each other at least weekly," said the elder Deal about his contact with Michael Jr.

Deal's sons say they connected more often, working out together several times weekly when possible.

Michael Jr. said their adult lives had begun to take them in separate directions, so serving together in some ways reunited the trio.

His brother agreed.

"It definitely made it a lot easier to have family there. A lot of people don't have anyone but the soldier beside them," Jonathan said about Camp Taji, occupied by thousands of troops.

"We were always close, but after that point we were closer."

The Deals said they especially enjoyed being together while watching last year's Super Bowl."We watched it with a thousand other soldiers, and we had front-row seats to a big, flat-screen TV," said Deal, noting half the brigade was from near Philadelphia and not Steelers fans.Although football loyalty held steady, the Deal family dynamics changed.Deal Jr. outranked his father and brother — a position that required them to salute him in group settings. Protocol also requires soldiers of higher rank to return the gesture to subordinates."Jonathan went out of his way to salute me to make me salute back," Michael Jr. said, explaining how Jonathan was known to take wide detours on foot for the opportunity to badger him."It's the little things in life," their father said.Joking aside, Michael Jr. explained the military salutes are not a personal acknowledgment."They're saluting the rank: the soldiers that wore it before me," he said.According to his father, serving has led to new respect for veterans of every rank."Veterans Day, I think, has always been a day to enjoy having off from work," he said. "It's (also) a good day to reflect back and say, 'Hey. What have you done for your vets?'""It means something now that we are actually veterans," Michael Jr. added. "I have a better appreciation (for others who served before me)."The elder Deal cites a particular appreciation for Vietnam veterans, who pushed for many years to improve benefits and record keeping on behalf of citizen soldiers.But all three describe themselves as patriotic before enlisting, even though educational benefits helped tip the scale for Deal and Jonathan.Deal's mother, Carole, also of Buffalo Township, told a similar story."I've been a patriot for years, so it means a lot to me," she said. "I appreciate everything any veterans have done for our freedom."Carole Deal said her family's service has increased that appreciation, affirming what she already knew about her son and grandsons."I've always been proud. They're really good kids," she said.As they transition back to civilian life, all three will pursue new goals. Jonathan is studying finance at Slippery Rock University. His father, formerly an electrician, is preparing to study engineering at Point Park University.Michael Jr. is studying for the GMAT with plans to earn a master's degree in business management. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and sports management from Duquesne University.As they reacclimate to home, the Deals said Veterans Day will bring a new perspective on personal as well as professional growth."It's great to be back with friends and family," said Michael Jr., who plans to attend the Veterans Day parade in Pittsburgh. His father will speak to senior citizens at the Rosebrook assisted living facility in Buffalo Township.Kevin Cramsey, a spokesman at Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, said the Deals' situation is somewhat unique."It's really not that unusual for generations of one family to be serving at the same time in the Pennsylvania National Guard," Cramsey said."What is unusual, as in the case of the Deal family, is that they served together in a combat situation. You almost have to go back to World War II to find this occurring in the Pennsylvania National Guard."

All three of the Deals just got back from Iraq with the Army as they served together.