A bittersweet homecoming

[Vulture6]

A bittersweet homecoming
Middletown Marine back in N.J. for brief family visit
Published in the Asbury Park Press 08/19/05
BY ANDREA ALEXANDER
KEYPORT BUREAU

During the seven months Cpl. Justin Gasparik served with the Marines in Iraq, his family struggled through a flood of conflicting emotions.

His father, Mick, covered his truck in bumper stickers identifying himself as the proud father of a Marine.

But he said it was the worst time of his life knowing his son was in the middle of a war zone.

"It's something you want to talk about, and don't want to talk about," Mick Gasparik said.

His mother, Jane, worried all day and all night. Jason Gasparik, 27, kept his cellular telephone close by so he would never miss a call from his younger brother.

Hope for Justin's safe return, and an overwhelming sense of pride in his service, helped the family cope during tense moments when he was on a mission and out of touch.

The family's wish for his safe return was recently granted. They gave Justin Gasparik, 23, a hero's welcome Sunday when he returned on leave to his parents' house in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

He came home on his brother's birthday. Jason Gasparik did not ask for any other presents.

"All I cared about is having him home in one piece," he said.

But their reunion is short. Justin Gasparik is scheduled to return Sunday to the Marine Corps New River Air Station in North Carolina, where he is stationed.

He served in Iraq as a mechanic and plane captain with the Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269.

"It's a job," he said. "I will just go back and do the same thing again. Time flies by."

His mother said he talked about joining the Marines since high school. After graduation from Middletown High School North, he enrolled in Brookdale Community College and worked full-time as a car mechanic.

But he wasn't happy. His cousin, Brian Regiec, 28, of Middletown, was a Marine and encouraged him to enlist.

"I was a mechanic on cars, he was working on helicopters," Justin Gasparik said while sitting in his parent's living room surrounded by his family. "He said "If you like working on cars, you will love this.' So I followed right behind him and went and did it."

His mother said she tried to talk him out of it.

"I never wanted my kids in the military," Jane Gasparik said. "I worry too much. It is not a safe, easy thing so I prefer they weren't there."

His father said he wanted to enlist himself as soon as he learned his son was leaving.

"I wanted to be with him and make sure he was all right," Mick Gasparik said.

Despite her reservations, Jane Gasparik supported her son while he was in Iraq. She mailed him a care package every Saturday. She sent cans of tuna fish, gum, foot powder, magazines, cookies and canned fruit.

"All day you worry that no one shows up on your door step that you don't want to show up," Jane Gasparik said. "You hope you get an e-mail (from him). You hope you get a phone call."

Justin Gasparik was assigned to the same base in Iraq where his cousin worked. Regiec finished his tour with the Marines, but returned to the base as a civilian contractor. Justin's mom took comfort in knowing they were together and could watch out for each other in Iraq.

She has made her son dinner every night since he came home and has enjoyed his company. She calls him from work on her cellular phone just to talk.

"He asks, "Why are you calling?' and I say, "Because I can,' " Jane Gasparik said.

"I can talk to him whenever I want," she said. "It's hard not having that communication (when he is away)."

Her son has spent most of his time sleeping since he has been home. He plays with his dog, Brandy, that he adopted while living on the base before he was deployed to Iraq. His parents kept her while he was in Iraq and brought her to North Carolina to greet him the end of July when he returned.

He has caught up with friends. His brother has a big night out planned Saturday.

Justin Gasparik said it's "weird" to be home. He is not used to being without his gun, or having time to relax. He worked 12 to 14 hours a day while stationed in Iraq.

Jason Gasparik said he is amazed by the change in his brother.

"He never wanted to do anything," Jason Gasparik said. "He was always laying around the house being lazy. He had no ambition."

"The day of his graduation from boot camp I didn't recognize him," Jason Gasparik said. "He lost weight. His whole attitude was different."

Copyright © 2005 Asbury Park Press. All rights reserved.

[ArchAngel]

I like that Thanks for sharing!

[SpongeJuan]

It's weird how I can understand how he would feel. I guess it's because once you are Marine you understand other Marines in a way that a civilian will never be able to do. I was told by my platoon sergeant in MCT that now that I am a Marine I am changed for the rest of my life. He said, "When you go home your friends will not have the same sense of humor you have." He then started to talk about "bobbing for cock." If you are a west coast Marine you know what I am talking about.

Everytime I go home all I want to do is relax and just chill with my friends. My mother also asks me what I want her to cook for me that evening. I felt like I was back at home when I read that.

[0311Marine]

Originally Posted by spongejuan

He said, "When you go home your friends will not have the same sense of humor you have." He then started to talk about "bobbing for cock." If you are a west coast Marine you know what I am talking about.

Try explaining that little expression to your friends and family if you slip and use it.

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by spongejuan

"When you go home your friends will not have the same sense of humor you have." He then started to talk about "bobbing for cock." If you are a west coast Marine you know what I am talking about.

I'm a "west Coast Marine, both as a recruit and a Drill Instructor, why dont you explain it to me?

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by Vulture6

A bittersweet homecoming
Middletown Marine back in N.J. for brief family visit

Nice article Vulture, thanks for posting it.

[SpongeJuan]

That's when you are in class and you catch yourelf closing your eyes and slowly tilt your head down, then you quickly wake up. It mostly happened in MCT, but I did it also during receiving while waiting in line to get in the chowhall.