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Happy Mother’s Day Quest second-grader Taylor Kirby gives mom Stephanie a craft she created at Quest for the May 6 Mother’s Day Tea.
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T H E N E W S PA P E R O F V I E R A & S U N T R E E • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A B L U E W AT E R C R E AT I V E G R O U P P U B L I C AT I O N M AY 2 0 1 1
VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
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MILES TURN TO SMILES
Deployed soldier comes home to those who wait BY LINDA WIGGINS
Spare change makes a big change for Japan. Page 20
Local restaurant expands despite predictions of economic gloom. Page 28
VIERA VOICE 7331 OFFICE PARK PLACE SUITE 300 VIERA, FL 32940
Walmart factors highly in Tanya Emerson’s life. It’s where the Viera mom met her co-worker sweetheart in her Anchorage, Alaska hometown. That sweetheart came home to her April 20 after 7 months deployment to Kuwait, their longest of frequent separations since the lieutenant enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. “It’s so great to have him back, to see him hold the children, to know this time is past,” said Tanya. She chose to spring their dad, Everett, on their �ive children, Gary, 11, Haily, 11, Ciera, 6, Landon, 2 and Jaedyn, at Jaedyn’s 5th birthday party, held at Galaxy Skateway in Melbourne. All eyes and cameras were on the children as they would be at any birthday party, but suddenly their faces changed to shock and awe when the elder Emerson stormed the rink �loor in his desert fatigues, the still and video cameras capturing their reactions. No smile beamed brighter than Jaedyn’s, thrilled to have his father back to Presort Std U.S. Postage PAID Orlando, FL Permit No. 1979
mark his big day. Behind the joyful reunions are the tough times endured by those who wait for soldiers deployed to battle zones in the Middle East and other hot spots around the globe. Like Tanya, they must make all the decisions around the house, set the rules for childrearing, and typically get by on a limited income. She said certain rare and preVIERA VOICE Linda Wiggins cious instances Lt. Everett Emerson and his wife Tanya surprised their children when he here and there returned from deployment in Kuwait in time for one son’s birthday party. buoy her spirits, It feels so good when somehad it easy out in the desert. mentioning one one, even a stranger – or Soccer practice, cheerleadin particular. Again at the discount-store perhaps especially a stranger ing, you name it, she keeps it – notices the sacri�ice we all together. Knowing I have giant, this time the Viera make. It feels good to be apa strong partner back home Walmart, a stranger melted her heart at Christmas time. preciated,” Tanya said. makes it easy to do my job.” Tanya was lonely and feeling The lieutenant may have Tanya tossed the hot potato especially more distant than endured 110 degree days in of praise right back. the 7,241 miles that separat- the desert, often caught in “Just like all our soldiers, ed the couple. A lady pressed some of the region’s historic he’s over there making sure a crisp $50 bill in her hand sand storms, dust seeping we have our freedom and a and said, “You must have into every nook and cranny sense of security here,” she dropped this.” She walked of, well, every nook and said. “We might have long away before Tanya could cranny. But he says he got the periods apart, but we have argue. better end of the deal. together forever. It’s a small “It’s hard being separated. “She gets all the credit. I sacri�ice.” VV
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Local soldier comes home
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Viera Voice • May 2011
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