Soldier returns to U.S. in time for Christmas and his own wedding

Published: 2003-12-30

WHITING, Ind. (CNS) -- Sgt. Tom Puplava Jr., a member of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, didn't waste time when he returned to the United States after military duty in the Middle East. The parishioner of St. John the Baptist in Whiting came home from a tour in the Middle East Dec. 15 and 12 days later he married Sharon Marlo. The newlyweds will hardly have much time to settle down, since they are headed for Okinawa, Japan, in April when Puplava starts his re-enlistment. "It's been an emotional roller coaster," the new Sharon Puplava said of the past year. "Not knowing was the worst," especially since the two could not keep in constant communication. She said her emotions swayed from being oblivious to what was happening to optimism to denial. "You try to be optimistic," she told the Northwest Indiana Catholic, diocesan newspaper of Gary. Puplava, who served two military tours in the Middle East, describes his experience quite matter-of-factly. "We just do our jobs," said the supply sergeant who drove an ammunitions truck from Kuwait to Iraq. "If something happens, it's out of our hands. We have faith in God. We're so well trained, we're going to react."

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