Army PFC David Owens is serving in Iraq during the holidays. The 2006 graduate of Lapeer West High School is serving with the 3rd Infantry Division, Delta Company, out of Fort Benning, Georgia. He enjoys receiving care packages that include The Citizen newspaper, so that he can keep up with his hometown news.
Owens is the son of James and Leslie Owens and brother of Stephanie Owens. He is scheduled for leave at the beginning of January, returning to his Hadley Township home. He misses his family and friends and is anxious to see everyone before returning to Iraq to finish out his deployment.

Army Spc. Tyler Gucwa, 23, a 2002 graduate of Brandon, was recently stationed in Baghdad for his second tour of duty, a15-month stint. Tyler is serving with the 4/10 CAV, 3HBCT, 4ID out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
Gucwa, a 2002 graduate of Brandon High School, is the husband of Ashley (Spiker), the son of Mark and Kim Gucwa, and the brother of Adam and Alysia Gucwa.
His mother, Kim, said Ty misses spending time with his wife and family on Christmas, hanging out with his friends and a good night’s sleep.
‘This holiday season, take a minute to think of our American soldiers and the sacrifices that they all make for our freedom,? Kim says. ‘Pray for peace!?

Army Pvt. Jesse Alexander, 23, of Brandon, is serving in Iraq.
The 2002 Brandon High School graduate received his orders at Fort Polk, Louisiana in August and was deployed with the Army 209th Military Police Company, for an 18-month tour of duty.
He is the son of Tony and Terri Alexander, of Brandon Township. He has a sister, Brandy, 28, and two brothers, Scott and Jason, both 17.
Alexander said he misses his family the most, but also misses his truck. This will be the first time his family has been without him at Christmas.

Army PV2 Jaimie Johnson, 20, of Ortonville, is currently serving 15 months in Baghdad at Camp Prosperity. Johnson is part of the Army’s ground search. Johnson says it’s important for people to write or send cards to keep up her morale and those of other troops. She misses being home for the holidays since this is her first time away from home. Her mother Trisha and father Brian, also from Ortonville, are very proud of their daughter. Please write letters to her at PV2 Johnson, Jaimie HHB 3-29 FA FOB Prosperity APO AE 09348.

Army Pvt. Jeff Zabawa, 25, of Goodrich is serving in Iraq.
The 2000 Goodrich High School graduate received his orders at Fort Polk, Lousiana and was deployed the last week in November for a 15- month stint. He is the son of Paul Zabawa and Mary Jane Oudendyk. Zabawa was married four weeks ago to Quynh, and said what he misses most is enjoying time with his new wife.

Army Pfc. Erik Alvey, 23, of Brandon Township is currently serving until July 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq at Camp Liberty.
Alvey is a tank mechanic in the 164th Armor ordinance division. A 2002 Brandon High School graduate, he is the son of Helen and Harry Alvey, also of Brandon Township.
His mother says Erik misses his family, decent cooking, Kool-Aid, non-green sheets to sleep on and Rice-Krispie treats. He also requested X-Box war games to play. ‘Erik said the meals are pretty bad there (Camp Liberty), and they desecrated the Thanksgiving turkey. We plan on sending him a cake in a canning jar for his birthday Dec. 23,? said Helen. ‘We also send him copies of The Citizen each week so he can catch up on all the local news.?

Master at Arms Seaman Apprentice Matthew Book, 19, is currently serving in Bahrain, an island in the Persian Gulf.
Book is part of the Navy’s law enforcement. His duties include screening people who enter the base and travelling in convoys from the base to the harbor.
He is a 2006 Brandon High School graduate and the grandson of Carl and Linda Hayes of Ortonville.
Her grandson misses many things about home, Linda says, including her cooking; his dog, Rocky, whom she finds on Matt’s bed every so often; the cows at Cook’s Farm Dairy, where he worked for three years; and snow.
Book has been in Bahrain for the past seven months and will return home in May 2008, after which he will be given another overseas non-war zone duty station.
Linda says he would welcome cards or letters and would appreciate knowing he’s not forgotten.
Send them to:Book, Matthew W. PSC451 Box 700 FPOAE 09834-2800