Heartache, Joy for Military on Holidays

Surrounded by blue skies above and blue waters below, the guided-missile destroyer U.S.S. Ross is returning to its home port. It's a picturesque site -- the perfect day for a homecoming. Chrissy Sinoc and her sons, 10-year-old Donte and 2-year-old Michael, are about to be reunited with husband and father, Boatswain's Mate, Petty Officer First Class Brandley Sinoc. They haven't seen him in six months. Chrissy spots the U.S.S. Ross and shouts to her kids, "There's daddy's boat!" Talking about the deployments, Chrissy said, "It's a lot easier when you have family and close friends, but it's really hard. It's like being a single parent and... I'm sorry." (She breaks down) But soon these tears will be tears of joy, as the ship pulls into port. "Hi, dada," little Michael says. "Is that dada?" Chrissy asks Michael. "Is that dada?" Finally -- the long-awaited reunion. The couple embrace and exchange I-love-you's. The tender moment is followed by a family group hug. Chrissy exclaimed, "It's like… he's really real." Brandley said, "I've always been taught that the hardest job in the Navy is the spouse. That's probably the biggest thing that I can give, as far as respect, to my wife and my kids -- being without their father. It's got to be hard." But now they're together. together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. These military families are reunited during the holidays, but there are many families who have a loved one overseas during the season and have to make that sacrifice of being apart. Leslie Crumpler and daughter Laura write an email to husband and father Robert. Leslie asks Laura, "Can you write 'I love you?' I'll spell it for you. The letter 'I'." Robert is an interior communications electrician first class on an aircraft carrier. He won't be home for the holidays. "It's difficult because I love him a lot," Leslie says. "I knew when I got married it was going to be this way.. It's tough." Leslie says that her faith in Jesus Christ helps her through the tough times. She said, "There's nothing better than to hold onto Jesus and have our faith, because it's the only way. Otherwise, you won't make it through." She also treasures her church, which has a military missions and ministry group. "They're very supportive," Leslie said, "and their groups are wonderful. I'm very, very happy that the Lord guided me to that church." Leslie says that the Navy, as well, reaches out to the families. She said, "They let you know everything's going on with the husbands and the ship, which is wonderful. I went to a meeting not too long ago, and I just loved it." This Thanksgiving and Christmas, Leslie and her daughter will be at grandma and grandpa's house. That also helps. "I don't really feel sad when I'm there," she said. But when she's not surrounded by her family, she says it's important to keep busy. Painting is one way that she does that. Leslie said, "It's how I express myself. It's how I let go of things." But this devoted wife gets a real boost when the phone rings, and it's Robert. "I'm so happy to hear from you. I miss you. You know that," Leslie says on the phone. "I'm praying for you. I hope everything goes OK there. Please be safe. Please come home with everything. I love you Rob. I love you a lot. Bye. Ciao." But after the call, the let down. But Leslie doesn't stay down. She knows her Source of Strength. She said, "The Lord is with me and my daughter, and we are doing fine together. We are doing things, and that's why my faith is very important to me." That faith will sustain her until she and Robert have their homecoming day, just like Chrissy and Brandley. "We pray a lot for him to come home safe…" Chrissy said. (She breaks down, then is hugged by Brandley.)