thedrifter
12-22-06, 08:04 AM
Story from the Friday, December 22, 2006 Edition of the Chronicle-Telegram
Holiday festivities put on hold
Family won’t celebrate until sons in military come home
Lisa Roberson
The Chronicle-Telegram
ELYRIA — This year, there’s no Christmas tree to signal the holiday season at the Lugus household.
Instead of festive garland and tinsel, Charles and Joyce Lugas have two blue stars — one representing each son — in their front window.
For them, Christmas is just another day to cross off the calendar as they await the return of their sons, both Marines stationed overseas.
“Sometimes it can be really hard,” Joyce said. “This is the first time we have not had at least one of the boys home with us for Christmas. It is so different from when they are here because they love Christmas. It is probably their favorite holiday.”
Lance Cpl. Greggory Lugas will spend the holiday on a military base in Okinawa, Japan. For the last 18 months, he has served as a field radio operator and still has four months to go.
His younger brother by 14 months, Lance Cpl. Peter Lugas, is in the combat zone somewhere west of Baghdad.
His deployment worries his parents more because for the last 15 weeks, his job has been patrolling dangerous areas as an infantryman.
He likely will continue patrolling for at least 15 more weeks before he gets to come home.
Being a former Marine and being the father of two Marines is a hard burden to shoulder, Charles said. On one hand, he wants to support his military, but in a moment he calls pure selfishness, he said he prays his children will just come home for Christmas.
“Our two boys home sitting in the living room is what we want more than anything,” he said. “This whole thing about the holidays really hasn’t sunk in for us because we try to keep busy. But come Christmas morning, I’m sure we will realize just how much we miss, but appreciate, what our boys are doing. Until then, we will keep praying that they are safe and sound.”
It’s a prayer Joyce said she knows other parents around the country will repeat as Christmas celebrations inch closer. So, instead of focusing on what she is missing, she said she will concentrate on what she has.
“I have been blessed with two thoughtful, considerate, handsome sweetheart boys who love giving,” she said. “They are the best gift a mother could ask for.”
Ellie
Holiday festivities put on hold
Family won’t celebrate until sons in military come home
Lisa Roberson
The Chronicle-Telegram
ELYRIA — This year, there’s no Christmas tree to signal the holiday season at the Lugus household.
Instead of festive garland and tinsel, Charles and Joyce Lugas have two blue stars — one representing each son — in their front window.
For them, Christmas is just another day to cross off the calendar as they await the return of their sons, both Marines stationed overseas.
“Sometimes it can be really hard,” Joyce said. “This is the first time we have not had at least one of the boys home with us for Christmas. It is so different from when they are here because they love Christmas. It is probably their favorite holiday.”
Lance Cpl. Greggory Lugas will spend the holiday on a military base in Okinawa, Japan. For the last 18 months, he has served as a field radio operator and still has four months to go.
His younger brother by 14 months, Lance Cpl. Peter Lugas, is in the combat zone somewhere west of Baghdad.
His deployment worries his parents more because for the last 15 weeks, his job has been patrolling dangerous areas as an infantryman.
He likely will continue patrolling for at least 15 more weeks before he gets to come home.
Being a former Marine and being the father of two Marines is a hard burden to shoulder, Charles said. On one hand, he wants to support his military, but in a moment he calls pure selfishness, he said he prays his children will just come home for Christmas.
“Our two boys home sitting in the living room is what we want more than anything,” he said. “This whole thing about the holidays really hasn’t sunk in for us because we try to keep busy. But come Christmas morning, I’m sure we will realize just how much we miss, but appreciate, what our boys are doing. Until then, we will keep praying that they are safe and sound.”
It’s a prayer Joyce said she knows other parents around the country will repeat as Christmas celebrations inch closer. So, instead of focusing on what she is missing, she said she will concentrate on what she has.
“I have been blessed with two thoughtful, considerate, handsome sweetheart boys who love giving,” she said. “They are the best gift a mother could ask for.”
Ellie