thedrifter
12-17-06, 10:05 AM
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Last modified Sunday, December 17, 2006 12:03 AM MST
As many troops leave today for the holidays, some are staying behind
BY BILL HESS
Herald/Review
FORT HUACHUCA — About 2,000 soldiers training at the Intelligence Center will leave today for a two-week Holiday Exodus.
But a few soldiers will not be packing and heading home to eat mom’s cooking, opening presents under the tree or putting their feet up at a fire as songs of the season are sung.
Spc. Seon Jerome is one of those who is staying behind.
Looking forward to marriage next year, the 26-year-old said he is saving money so he and his fianc/e, Chevelle Morgan, can set up housekeeping after he graduates as a human intelligence collector.
So, he will not be traveling to Brooklyn, where is mother and stepfather live, or San Antonio, Texas, where Chevelle and her three children are living with a cousin.
“Mom’s upset,” said Jerome, a former Marine, of his decision not to be home for Christmas and New Year’s.
Even though he spent more than four years in the Marine Corps, he made it home for every Christmas. Jerome enlisted in the Army after a short stint out of his Marine uniform.
A native of Trinidad, he and his parents moved to the United States a few years ago.
“It will be six years on Jan. 31,” the soldier said about arriving in the country. “I enlisted (in the Marines) as soon as I had my green card.”
As for not going to San Antonio, Jerome said he would have crowded Chevelle’s cousin’s home even more.
Besides, he is helping Chevelle find a place of her own.
In a sense, one of his Christmas wishes is for an assignment at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio once his training with Company E, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion is complete.
He also opted out of the exodus because he has a shoulder problem and wants to remain on Fort Huachuca so he can continue his schedule of physical therapy.
Since he and a few others will not be leaving, they will have military duties to perform. He will be part of the flag detail, putting up and lowering the national banner on some days. They also will have administrative duties to perform.
But they will have more time for themselves, and they can leave the fort. In such cases, soldiers who do not leave for the holidays are usually supported by special chaplain programs, such as taking trips.
From his demeanor and the somberness on his face Friday, it seems easy to tell that Christmas is a special time for him. Family traditions are important, such as baking being done on Christmas Eve.
In Trinidad and the United States he would help prepare baked goodies, although he admits, “I ate more (of the batter) than I cooked.”
Christmas morning is the time his relatives would come to his parents’ house for breakfast. The big meal of baked ham and all the trimmings would be eaten in his grandmother’s home.
The family lives close to one another in Brooklyn, with his parents and grandparents living in the same apartment building.
Then there’s the annual secret Santa gift exchanges, where each family member pulls the name of another relative and buys a gift.
“We don’t know until Christmas who our secret Santa is,” Jerome said.
This year he will not be able to take part in the family special holiday gift exchange.
“Mom is not too pleased,” he said of is mother,
His mom, Joanne Tittle, understands his reasons, and like most military moms knows that occasionally their children cannot be home for the special times such as Christmas. On Dec. 25, Jerome likely will be busy talking on the phone and e-mailing his family members and Chevelle to exchange holiday greetings.
As for his future married life, he and Chevelle will be looking at ways to combine traditions each enjoy.
For him, the secret Santa is one he hopes to bring to the union.
And, of course, the cake baking.
Or is it cake batter eating on Christmas Eve?
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Ellie
Last modified Sunday, December 17, 2006 12:03 AM MST
As many troops leave today for the holidays, some are staying behind
BY BILL HESS
Herald/Review
FORT HUACHUCA — About 2,000 soldiers training at the Intelligence Center will leave today for a two-week Holiday Exodus.
But a few soldiers will not be packing and heading home to eat mom’s cooking, opening presents under the tree or putting their feet up at a fire as songs of the season are sung.
Spc. Seon Jerome is one of those who is staying behind.
Looking forward to marriage next year, the 26-year-old said he is saving money so he and his fianc/e, Chevelle Morgan, can set up housekeeping after he graduates as a human intelligence collector.
So, he will not be traveling to Brooklyn, where is mother and stepfather live, or San Antonio, Texas, where Chevelle and her three children are living with a cousin.
“Mom’s upset,” said Jerome, a former Marine, of his decision not to be home for Christmas and New Year’s.
Even though he spent more than four years in the Marine Corps, he made it home for every Christmas. Jerome enlisted in the Army after a short stint out of his Marine uniform.
A native of Trinidad, he and his parents moved to the United States a few years ago.
“It will be six years on Jan. 31,” the soldier said about arriving in the country. “I enlisted (in the Marines) as soon as I had my green card.”
As for not going to San Antonio, Jerome said he would have crowded Chevelle’s cousin’s home even more.
Besides, he is helping Chevelle find a place of her own.
In a sense, one of his Christmas wishes is for an assignment at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio once his training with Company E, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion is complete.
He also opted out of the exodus because he has a shoulder problem and wants to remain on Fort Huachuca so he can continue his schedule of physical therapy.
Since he and a few others will not be leaving, they will have military duties to perform. He will be part of the flag detail, putting up and lowering the national banner on some days. They also will have administrative duties to perform.
But they will have more time for themselves, and they can leave the fort. In such cases, soldiers who do not leave for the holidays are usually supported by special chaplain programs, such as taking trips.
From his demeanor and the somberness on his face Friday, it seems easy to tell that Christmas is a special time for him. Family traditions are important, such as baking being done on Christmas Eve.
In Trinidad and the United States he would help prepare baked goodies, although he admits, “I ate more (of the batter) than I cooked.”
Christmas morning is the time his relatives would come to his parents’ house for breakfast. The big meal of baked ham and all the trimmings would be eaten in his grandmother’s home.
The family lives close to one another in Brooklyn, with his parents and grandparents living in the same apartment building.
Then there’s the annual secret Santa gift exchanges, where each family member pulls the name of another relative and buys a gift.
“We don’t know until Christmas who our secret Santa is,” Jerome said.
This year he will not be able to take part in the family special holiday gift exchange.
“Mom is not too pleased,” he said of is mother,
His mom, Joanne Tittle, understands his reasons, and like most military moms knows that occasionally their children cannot be home for the special times such as Christmas. On Dec. 25, Jerome likely will be busy talking on the phone and e-mailing his family members and Chevelle to exchange holiday greetings.
As for his future married life, he and Chevelle will be looking at ways to combine traditions each enjoy.
For him, the secret Santa is one he hopes to bring to the union.
And, of course, the cake baking.
Or is it cake batter eating on Christmas Eve?
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Ellie