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Home-Life a Welcome Challenge for Soldiers

Battle-group members get reacquainted with families and friends left behind

Wednesday, August 7, 2002
By Jill Mahoney
The Globe and Mail

Master Corporal Nick LePage said his wife Jessica Quaghebeur initially did not cook enough food for the two of them because she had become so used to making dinner for one. And when they both go out, she automatically goes to the driver's side of their truck even though he is eager to drive again. "My wife's been used to doing everything on her own and all of the sudden I'm in the picture," the 24-year-old said.

EDMONTON -- G&M
Now that they are back in the land of loved ones, good food and moderate weather, Canada's ground troops say their punishing half-year in Afghanistan does not seem all that bad.

"It was a long six months, but now all of the sudden that you're home it doesn't feel like you were gone all that long. It's nice," Captain Craig Toms said.

For Capt. Toms, the best thing about arriving in Edmonton last week was seeing his new wife and celebrating their marriage: He and Kristin tied the knot a week before he left for Kandahar in February.

"We're just going to take it easy," the 28-year-old said. "Get on with the honeymoon and just spend some time together catching up, getting to know each other again."

Sergeant Jeff Mullenix said his struggles with oppressive heat and omnipresent dust quickly became things of the past when he saw his three boys, all of whom had had growth spurts.

"The kids have just changed so much since I've been gone. It's been unreal," the 31-year-old said, his voice cracking.
(More: The Globe and Mail News Source)
2002 © Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc.

My wife and I still fight over the driver’s seat.

;^)
Dan