By Karenlyn Barone
While most people are focusing on the start of a new year, James Adelis Jr., 19, is focusing on the start of a new life. He is willingly trading in his Lexus for an Army tank, as he leaves East Rockaway to serve in Kuwait and Iraq.
"This is what I signed up for," said Adelis, who joined the Army Reserves last February. A 2002 East Rockaway High School graduate, the tall and handsome Private First Class is part of the U.S Army's 77th Transport Battalion out of Fort Totten, N.Y., which is being mobilized. It was ordered to report to Wichita, Kan., the first weekend in January for additional training. The Middle East will be its final destination.
"We were notified by Uncle Sam on Dec. 22," said James's proud father, Jimmy. "I would be lying if I said it didn't put a damper on the holidays. It was difficult going through the holidays knowing that my son would be leaving soon."
This tour of duty will take Adelis away from his father and mother, Lucy, his younger brother, Tommy, 16, a steady girlfriend, Joanna Carbone, also of East Rockaway, and countless relatives and friends. But he is valiantly prepared to leave behind all he loves to serve his country.
"I've always been very patriotic," Adelis said. "I'm looking at this as an adventure and an opportunity to learn a lot."
Adelis' enlistment involves a commitment of six years, part of which, he knew, would be spent overseas. "I knew I would be sent away," he said. "I'm not scared, and I'm ready to go."
There were many family discussions before he enlisted last year, but he made the ultimate decision. "I look at it as my son serving God and his country," said Lucy. "The whole family stands strongly behind that decision.
Family and friends gathered at Rocco's Catering Hall in East Rockaway on Friday, Jan. 2, to give Adelis a loving send-off. "This is not a child anymore, this is a man," said his emotional father. "The Army has had a profound, very positive effect on him."
Adelis said the most important things he is taking with him are a satellite telephone, so he can keep in touch with everyone back home, and family pictures. "I'm going to miss my family and my friends the most," he said. "But I know everyone will be standing with me the whole time I'm over there."
His father sighed. "I'm smiling," he said, "but I'm dying inside."
