WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Toledo family is proud of specialist serving in Qatar

Toledo family is proud of specialist serving in Qatar

By Jonathan Walsh - bio | email

Posted by Dave Dykema - email

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTOL) - A woman born and raised in Toledo is spending Thanksgiving half a world away while her family celebrated in west Toledo, enjoying each other and remembering what they're thankful for.

"I'm thankful that she's safe," said Eric Hill.

Hill is talking about his sister Army Spc. Mandi Aleman. The family misses her, but knows she's away for a good reason. Aleman is stationed in Qatar and managed to send them a holiday message through the military mailbag.

"This message is for my brother Eric, his family, and everybody in Toledo, Ohio," said Aleman through the video.

Those in Toledo for Thanksgiving include her husband Erick Aleman, their 3-year-old daughter Desirae and 4-year-old son Xavier, who all came for the holiday from El Paso, Texas where Aleman's stateside post is located.

The kids are always asking for their mom, says Erick, "but they've gotten used to it."

Aleman's been away for 8 mos. so far. It's her first deployment and her first holiday away from her loved ones. She is a fueler and a member of Force Protection.

Her mom, Ramona Billings, is proud. Still, she worries about her daughter in the middle of a war. "I do my best not to think about it, because when I think about it, I want to cry."

Spc. Aleman has about four more mos. To go before coming home. Until then the kids will hold their mommy dolls, complete with picture of Mandi giving them a kiss.

The family will definitely keep her in their hearts on this Thanksgiving.

"I'm thankful that she's protecting the country," said her brother Kyle Billings. "I'm thankful that she's my sister."

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