thedrifter
09-15-08, 12:33 PM
Identical Twins Go Their Own Ways in Iraq
Lopez Brothers Leave Pregnant Wives, Serve Their Country
By JOSHUA ZUBER
TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2008—
David and Tony Lopez are what you might call inseparable.
The 19-year-old identical twins, of Tombstone, Ariz., have done most things together, from Little League baseball, to competing in triathlons, to getting married within a month of each other.
After graduating from high school in 2007, they joined the Marines together. So, for the first time in their lives, the Lopez twins are apart.
The lance corporals, who deployed with different companies at the end of August, are stationed in Iraq more than 70 miles from each other.
Their mother, Kathy Lopez, 40, said her sons knew they wanted to join the Marines since they were juniors in high school. "They didn't let anything stand in their way," she said.
The young men held tough against initial opposition from their father, Tony Lopez, 62, who wanted them to go to college. "They are my heroes," Lopez said of her sons' determination to follow their dreams.
It's difficult for their mother to think of the twins being apart. After joining up together, the brothers went through all their basic training and then landed in the same battalion at a base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
"I think that being together is what got them through boot camp," she said.
Now, they are doing fine apart, she said, but when they call home, each one wants to know how the other is doing.
Plenty of Inspiration
The twins' step-brother, Albert Lopez, 42, served in the Marines for about eight years. He was part of the twins' motivation to enlist. "They listened to his stories, and they were just inspired by him," said their mother, who has five children.
Now, the youngest Lopez brother, 15-year-old Mario, also wants to join the Marines.
The Tombstone high school sophomore said that after watching his twin older brothers' graduation from basic training, he was inspired to enlist.
"Being there, [seeing] how proud everyone was of them, and how proud they were of themselves; it was a really warm feeling," Mario said.
He is so excited about following his brothers that he is trying to graduate high school a year early by taking extra classes. Although he must be 18 to join any branch of the military, there is a delayed-entry program that prepares recruits at 17.
The Lopez twins have also been an inspiration to the community of Tombstone, especially during their high school days when they played football every Friday night.
They Were Always Together
"They brought a lot of team spirit," senior defensive end and running back Cory Sarasnick said.
Several teammates described them as fun, energetic and always together. "If you didn't get hit by one, you're going to get hit by the other right behind them," Sarasnick added.
The twins' high school football coach, Mike Hayhurst, said they were good athletes who brought positive energy to the field.
"They were very tough kids, competitive kids and fun kids," he said. "And when you get kids like that, it spills over" to keep their team motivated, he said.
Closer to home, their wives Veronica and Jeanette Lopez, both 19, are pregnant.
Jeanette, Tony's wife, is due soon, while Veronica, David's wife, is two months into her pregnancy.
Twins' Mother Steps In
Veronica lives with the brothers' mother, and Jeanette lives with her parents.
The Lopez wives didn't want to see their husbands deploy, but they said they understand it's what they wanted to do, and that they are happy serving their country.
"It's just not going to be easy, with babies," Jeanette Lopez said, adding that she wants a home of their own. "I just want to be in our own environment."
But both wives say that their mother-in-law has been helpful with preparations for the new arrivals, which has helped the twins concentrate on their mission in Iraq.
"He's just so happy that I have help here, so he's not too worried about it," Jeanette said of Kathy Lopez's caretaking.
They also comfort each other by shopping to prepare for the babies and simply relaxing at Kathy Lopez's house, watching TV. The wives said they do not talk much about their husbands being in Iraq, but look forward to their return in April 2009.
When they do return, David will get his first chance to hold his baby girl, who will be five months old in April. Tony isn't sure if his baby will be a boy or a girl yet, but the baby will be about a month old when he returns from Iraq. All four plan to move back to the base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Video
http://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/story?id=5771390&page=1
Ellie
Lopez Brothers Leave Pregnant Wives, Serve Their Country
By JOSHUA ZUBER
TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2008—
David and Tony Lopez are what you might call inseparable.
The 19-year-old identical twins, of Tombstone, Ariz., have done most things together, from Little League baseball, to competing in triathlons, to getting married within a month of each other.
After graduating from high school in 2007, they joined the Marines together. So, for the first time in their lives, the Lopez twins are apart.
The lance corporals, who deployed with different companies at the end of August, are stationed in Iraq more than 70 miles from each other.
Their mother, Kathy Lopez, 40, said her sons knew they wanted to join the Marines since they were juniors in high school. "They didn't let anything stand in their way," she said.
The young men held tough against initial opposition from their father, Tony Lopez, 62, who wanted them to go to college. "They are my heroes," Lopez said of her sons' determination to follow their dreams.
It's difficult for their mother to think of the twins being apart. After joining up together, the brothers went through all their basic training and then landed in the same battalion at a base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
"I think that being together is what got them through boot camp," she said.
Now, they are doing fine apart, she said, but when they call home, each one wants to know how the other is doing.
Plenty of Inspiration
The twins' step-brother, Albert Lopez, 42, served in the Marines for about eight years. He was part of the twins' motivation to enlist. "They listened to his stories, and they were just inspired by him," said their mother, who has five children.
Now, the youngest Lopez brother, 15-year-old Mario, also wants to join the Marines.
The Tombstone high school sophomore said that after watching his twin older brothers' graduation from basic training, he was inspired to enlist.
"Being there, [seeing] how proud everyone was of them, and how proud they were of themselves; it was a really warm feeling," Mario said.
He is so excited about following his brothers that he is trying to graduate high school a year early by taking extra classes. Although he must be 18 to join any branch of the military, there is a delayed-entry program that prepares recruits at 17.
The Lopez twins have also been an inspiration to the community of Tombstone, especially during their high school days when they played football every Friday night.
They Were Always Together
"They brought a lot of team spirit," senior defensive end and running back Cory Sarasnick said.
Several teammates described them as fun, energetic and always together. "If you didn't get hit by one, you're going to get hit by the other right behind them," Sarasnick added.
The twins' high school football coach, Mike Hayhurst, said they were good athletes who brought positive energy to the field.
"They were very tough kids, competitive kids and fun kids," he said. "And when you get kids like that, it spills over" to keep their team motivated, he said.
Closer to home, their wives Veronica and Jeanette Lopez, both 19, are pregnant.
Jeanette, Tony's wife, is due soon, while Veronica, David's wife, is two months into her pregnancy.
Twins' Mother Steps In
Veronica lives with the brothers' mother, and Jeanette lives with her parents.
The Lopez wives didn't want to see their husbands deploy, but they said they understand it's what they wanted to do, and that they are happy serving their country.
"It's just not going to be easy, with babies," Jeanette Lopez said, adding that she wants a home of their own. "I just want to be in our own environment."
But both wives say that their mother-in-law has been helpful with preparations for the new arrivals, which has helped the twins concentrate on their mission in Iraq.
"He's just so happy that I have help here, so he's not too worried about it," Jeanette said of Kathy Lopez's caretaking.
They also comfort each other by shopping to prepare for the babies and simply relaxing at Kathy Lopez's house, watching TV. The wives said they do not talk much about their husbands being in Iraq, but look forward to their return in April 2009.
When they do return, David will get his first chance to hold his baby girl, who will be five months old in April. Tony isn't sure if his baby will be a boy or a girl yet, but the baby will be about a month old when he returns from Iraq. All four plan to move back to the base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Video
http://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/story?id=5771390&page=1
Ellie