Special Veterans Day for local soldier
Staff writer
It’s tough when a spouse or children’s father is away. It’s even more tough when he’s serving in a war — a world away.
Becca Kimbrel of Marion knows what it’s like to keep a home and care for her children while her husband, 1st Lt. Luke Kimbrel, is serving his country in Iraq.
After all the mother of Debra, 7, and Paul, 4, has done this before.
Luke Kimbrel left Oct. 23, 2007, for his second tour of duty as a member of the 179th Infantry of Oklahoma National Guard.
Before Luke was deployed, the family moved to Marion from Cherokee, Okla., to be closer to Luke’s parents, Tom and Regina Kimbrel of Marion.
No stranger to Marion, Becca and the children had lived with Luke’s parents for about six months while Luke had officer’s training.
“We really enjoyed it,” Becca said. “I worked at the hospital (as a nurse) and made a lot of friends.”
This time around, the family purchased a home and Becca now works at St. Luke Physician Clinic. Debra is in third grade at Marion Elementary School. Paul attends Head Start at MES.
Keeping busy was one way Becca spent the stressful time, waiting for her husband to return.
E-mails were sent on a regular basis with phone calls every few weeks.
“I appreciated the support from everyone,” Becca said, “particularly from our family and the community as a whole. Everyone was so caring.”
With much relief, the family was reunited Oct. 13 when Luke returned home, hopefully to stay.
“I’m not aware of any more deployments,” Luke said.
Right now, Luke is searching for a full-time job. His military duties include drills one weekend a month and two weeks of training during the summer. Otherwise, he plans to be home.
“The children were so happy to have Dad home. They haven’t left his side since he’s been home,” Becca said. “They want Dad to take them to and from school every day. The children’s personalities have improved since he’s come home.”
Sacrifices made by Luke, Becca, and their family are reminders of the true meaning of Veterans Day.