thedrifter
12-26-06, 11:26 AM
Marine husband and wife prepare to return to Iraq
(Published Tuesday, December 26, 2006 11:18:33 AM CST)
By Catherine W. Idzerda
Gazette staff
It's what Marines do.
That's why Sgt. Kelly Danielson, 25, is going to Iraq. And that's why her husband, Cpl. Brandon Danielson, 22, is returning to Iraq.
Neither one has to go.
Kelly extended her time in the Marines so she could go. And Brandon volunteered to return so he could be with his wife.
On Christmas weekend, the Danielsons were in Janesville visiting his parents, Joyce Danielson and Ivan Collins, and Bruce and Joanne Danielson.
"Somebody's got to do it, and we signed up to do it," Brandon said. "It's our obligation to go."
Brandon, a 2002 Parker High School graduate, is a field radio operator in a Marine Wing Support Squadron. That means he helps manage communications at all levels of operations.
"I look forward to going back," Brandon said. "It was a pretty good experience the first time."
Kelly, a Texas native, is a combat engineer with the Marines. Her job involves a variety of engineering tasks, including runway repair, construction and mine detection.
She extended her contract with the Marines in order to be deployed. To be an enlisted Marine in wartime, and not to go, was unacceptable to Kelly.
"It's what we do," Kelly said.
It also will give the couple a chance to be together-finally.
Their wedding was in February.
"We were married for 12 days before he left," Kelly said.
She spent a lot of time waiting for phone calls or e-mails.
"We were separated for the first eight months of marriage," Brandon said.
The worst part was not being able to do all the traditional newlywed stuff, such as going on a honeymoon or setting up their first apartment together. And they didn't get to have a real wedding.
On Saturday, Jan. 27, the Danielsons will head to Texas and California to visit more relatives. Then, it's on to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz.
Then, sometime in February or March, they'll head overseas-together.
Ellie
(Published Tuesday, December 26, 2006 11:18:33 AM CST)
By Catherine W. Idzerda
Gazette staff
It's what Marines do.
That's why Sgt. Kelly Danielson, 25, is going to Iraq. And that's why her husband, Cpl. Brandon Danielson, 22, is returning to Iraq.
Neither one has to go.
Kelly extended her time in the Marines so she could go. And Brandon volunteered to return so he could be with his wife.
On Christmas weekend, the Danielsons were in Janesville visiting his parents, Joyce Danielson and Ivan Collins, and Bruce and Joanne Danielson.
"Somebody's got to do it, and we signed up to do it," Brandon said. "It's our obligation to go."
Brandon, a 2002 Parker High School graduate, is a field radio operator in a Marine Wing Support Squadron. That means he helps manage communications at all levels of operations.
"I look forward to going back," Brandon said. "It was a pretty good experience the first time."
Kelly, a Texas native, is a combat engineer with the Marines. Her job involves a variety of engineering tasks, including runway repair, construction and mine detection.
She extended her contract with the Marines in order to be deployed. To be an enlisted Marine in wartime, and not to go, was unacceptable to Kelly.
"It's what we do," Kelly said.
It also will give the couple a chance to be together-finally.
Their wedding was in February.
"We were married for 12 days before he left," Kelly said.
She spent a lot of time waiting for phone calls or e-mails.
"We were separated for the first eight months of marriage," Brandon said.
The worst part was not being able to do all the traditional newlywed stuff, such as going on a honeymoon or setting up their first apartment together. And they didn't get to have a real wedding.
On Saturday, Jan. 27, the Danielsons will head to Texas and California to visit more relatives. Then, it's on to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz.
Then, sometime in February or March, they'll head overseas-together.
Ellie