Elmo as an Army brat? Who knew? In “When Parents Are Deployed,” to be shown on PBS tonight, the furry red Muppet of “Sesame Street” fame learns that his father is about to leave for parts unknown.

While the armed services aren’t mentioned specifically, it’s clear from the context that Dad is off to Iraq or somewhere just as scary. A sad goodbye is obviously imminent. In true Muppet fashion, Elmo will show us how it’s done.

I didn’t even know Elmo had a father.

I give the Childrens Television Workshop credit for tackling this issue and trying to help kids who are dealing with a parent deployed overseas. I just wish the Iraq war hadn’t become such a ubiqituous part of our lives that it’s even affecting Elmo.