thedrifter
08-04-07, 02:02 AM
Hayes family learns 'it's about the little things'
By Keyna Thomas
Correspondent
Nashoba Publishing
Article Launched:08/03/2007 08:38:42 AM EDT
SHIRLEY -- Lance Cpl. Kevin Hayes Jr., of the 26th Marines Expeditionary Unit, returned home to a warm welcome at the War Memorial Building after traveling abroad with the Marines' 1st Special Operations Command.
The 20-year-old has been to Jordan, Kuwait, Italy, Spain, Dubai, Kenya, Turkey and Somalia since joining the Marines two years ago, he said, enjoying a sunny Saturday on the steps of the building.
Hayes, who deployed Jan. 3 from his unit's headquarters at Camp Lejeune, N.C., for his first tour of duty celebrated his return with his family at a July 21 welcome-home barbecue. As guests began to arrive, he talked about his recent tour and his plans.
When asked why he joined the Marines just out of high school, Hayes said, without a pause, "Sept. 11. When that many people die, you have to do something. I couldn't just sit there and let it happen again."
Hayes said his worst memory of his tour is the sand.
"It gets in your lungs," he said, "and you cough up blood for a few days."
But he said he remembers his stay in Italy with his fellow Marines as one of the best times during his tour.
"The scenery is awesome," he said, also noting the delicious Italian food.
Hayes is home for three weeks before his unit begins to prepare for a tour in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, he said. He is scheduled to deploy for his second tour in April 2008.
Although his term expires Sept. 26, 2009, Hayes said he may extend his time with the Marines. When the "new guys" come in, he said he wants to help them train and figure out what to do "so they don't die."
Hayes' parents, Kevin Hayes Sr. and Laurie Hayes, are thrilled that he's home.
For the first two months of Hayes' deployment, Laurie said the family had no contact with him. Afterward, Hayes sometimes had to stand in line for two hours to use the phone.
But one of the best things Hayes did before he left was buy a prepaid phone card, said Laurie.
It was difficult to hear sometimes, she said, and if his unit was on a mission, Hayes' family didn't hear from him for two or three weeks at a time.
About two weeks prior to his homecoming, Hayes was able to call and tell his parents when he would return to Camp Lejeune before coming home to Shirley.
Laurie and her parents, Carl and Doris Proia, of Tewksbury, flew to North Carolina June 30, the day before Hayes arrived with his unit.
"It was incredible," said Laurie. "What an emotional day."
She said it brought tears to her eyes to see fathers who had never met their own children united with them, and families were overjoyed to reunite with their loved ones.
Since Hayes has been home, Laurie has been on vacation, and Hayes Sr. has cherished the family time. In the mornings, Laurie has been cooking breakfast for her husband and her son, said Hayes Sr.
"She's been an unbelievable wife and mother," he said. "It's absolutely just great to get up in the morning."
"It's just nice having him around," said Laurie. It's about the little things, she said, like the smell of his soap and having him around the house, sometimes with his friends.
For Hayes, being a Marine has taught him not to take anything for granted, he said.
"Live for the day," Laurie said emphatically.
Ellie
By Keyna Thomas
Correspondent
Nashoba Publishing
Article Launched:08/03/2007 08:38:42 AM EDT
SHIRLEY -- Lance Cpl. Kevin Hayes Jr., of the 26th Marines Expeditionary Unit, returned home to a warm welcome at the War Memorial Building after traveling abroad with the Marines' 1st Special Operations Command.
The 20-year-old has been to Jordan, Kuwait, Italy, Spain, Dubai, Kenya, Turkey and Somalia since joining the Marines two years ago, he said, enjoying a sunny Saturday on the steps of the building.
Hayes, who deployed Jan. 3 from his unit's headquarters at Camp Lejeune, N.C., for his first tour of duty celebrated his return with his family at a July 21 welcome-home barbecue. As guests began to arrive, he talked about his recent tour and his plans.
When asked why he joined the Marines just out of high school, Hayes said, without a pause, "Sept. 11. When that many people die, you have to do something. I couldn't just sit there and let it happen again."
Hayes said his worst memory of his tour is the sand.
"It gets in your lungs," he said, "and you cough up blood for a few days."
But he said he remembers his stay in Italy with his fellow Marines as one of the best times during his tour.
"The scenery is awesome," he said, also noting the delicious Italian food.
Hayes is home for three weeks before his unit begins to prepare for a tour in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, he said. He is scheduled to deploy for his second tour in April 2008.
Although his term expires Sept. 26, 2009, Hayes said he may extend his time with the Marines. When the "new guys" come in, he said he wants to help them train and figure out what to do "so they don't die."
Hayes' parents, Kevin Hayes Sr. and Laurie Hayes, are thrilled that he's home.
For the first two months of Hayes' deployment, Laurie said the family had no contact with him. Afterward, Hayes sometimes had to stand in line for two hours to use the phone.
But one of the best things Hayes did before he left was buy a prepaid phone card, said Laurie.
It was difficult to hear sometimes, she said, and if his unit was on a mission, Hayes' family didn't hear from him for two or three weeks at a time.
About two weeks prior to his homecoming, Hayes was able to call and tell his parents when he would return to Camp Lejeune before coming home to Shirley.
Laurie and her parents, Carl and Doris Proia, of Tewksbury, flew to North Carolina June 30, the day before Hayes arrived with his unit.
"It was incredible," said Laurie. "What an emotional day."
She said it brought tears to her eyes to see fathers who had never met their own children united with them, and families were overjoyed to reunite with their loved ones.
Since Hayes has been home, Laurie has been on vacation, and Hayes Sr. has cherished the family time. In the mornings, Laurie has been cooking breakfast for her husband and her son, said Hayes Sr.
"She's been an unbelievable wife and mother," he said. "It's absolutely just great to get up in the morning."
"It's just nice having him around," said Laurie. It's about the little things, she said, like the smell of his soap and having him around the house, sometimes with his friends.
For Hayes, being a Marine has taught him not to take anything for granted, he said.
"Live for the day," Laurie said emphatically.
Ellie