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Happy homecoming for Pittston soldier

Jan-31-2005 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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By Heidi E. Ruckno, Citizens' Voice

A Pittston soldier on a two-week leave from his service in Iraq was shocked to see so many loved ones waiting for him Sunday at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

"Oh my God," said U.S. Army Sgt. Paul Lavelle with a smile as he walked into the terminal.

Lavelle, 22, is an intelligence officer stationed in Mosul. He is based out of Fort Lewis in Washington State.

"It feels great. I can't even explain how good it feels right now," Lavelle said.

Lavelle looks forward to catching up on his sleep and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles as they take on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. He also plans to visit his sister Patricia at College Misericordia. [...]

Lavelle's family has worried since the moment the young man shipped out. But their anxiety has increased tremendously since a suicide bomber attacked the Mosul base where he's stationed.

The explosion in the mess hall took place just days before Christmas, killing 15 American soldiers and five civilians. Among the dead was Freeland native Paul Karpowich.

"It was hard to be a parent that night," Burden said.

Both she and Kelly were on edge until they heard from Lavelle, who could not get in touch with them for two days.

Lavelle was more interested in looking forward than backward, as he did not want to talk about his experiences that day.

Aside from several family get-togethers, there is at least one other event Lavelle will be in town for - the birth of his twin cousins.

His aunt, Megan Kelly, is scheduled to give birth to a boy and a girl on Tuesday.


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