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Valley family's sleeping well again

Jan-18-2007 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Dennis McCarthy, LA Daily News

'Captain Darrell Stepter is home after 16 months in Iraq," the e-mail from a proud father began.

"Darrell was born and raised in the Valley. He is a graduate from Van Nuys High Magnet program. He graduated from West Point in 2003 at the age of 21.

"He is an officer with the 172nd Stryker Brigade that got extended to go into Baghdad in August 2006. During his tour he was awarded the Bronze Star.

"I am his father."

His proud father. Louis Stepter.

There is no worse time for the parents of sons and daughters serving in the military than during the long months when their children are in harm's way during war.

There is no better time than when they come home.

Army Capt. Darrell Stepter, Class of '99 at Van Nuys High School, came home safely last month.

And for the first time in 16 months, the Stepters are sleeping through the night again. For the first time in 16 months, they don't say a little prayer to themselves every time the telephone rings or someone knocks on the door.

"We're not living on pins and needles anymore," is how Mary, a public school teacher, put it Tuesday.

"I know there are so many other parents going through what we went through, and I want them to know our prayers are with them.

"When your baby's in harm's way, you're worrying about him every second of every day."

Darrell smiled and hugged his mother. He understood what she was saying.


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