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> Special Sections > Special Features > Reservists have families again; what about jobs?
Reservists have families again; what about jobs?
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Lynne Rivest of Chicopee embraces her husband James after his four month deployment in Afghanistan. "You don't know how much you depend on a person until he's not there," Lynne said. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
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By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
WESTOVER ARB Janis Renaud of Chicopee wanted to surprise her boyfriend, Technical Sgt. Ronald Viens, also of Chicopee, and turned up unexpectedly at his return on Wednesday from a four and half month deployment to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
From the look of both of their faces, it was obviously a welcomed surprise.
Viens was one of almost 30 members of 58th Aerial Port Squadron stationed at Westover returning from the deployment. He and the fellow members of the squadron were greeted by friends and loved ones cheering and holding signs.
"I'm very surprised," Viens said looking at Renaud. "I knew she had to work today."
The squadron members loaded 3,975 aircraft with 37,529 tons of cargo to the front lines; moved 87,294 passengers and assisted in 83 aeromedical missions during their time in Afghanistan.
For Viens, who had been in Air Force from 1970 to 1975 and a reservist 1983, this was his first deployment. He works full-time at Rotadyne Decorative Technologies in Holyoke and said his civilian job "is a piece of cake compared to what we did in Afghanistan."
Viens said there were long work hours to keep up with the demands on the war on terror and the squadron members stayed on the base their entire tour of duty.
Lynne Rivest of Chicopee said before the Air Force's blue bus pulled into the hanger, she "couldn't believe [husband James] was home."
She said she spoke with him almost every day and added that she "didn't think how tough it was . you don't know how much you depend on a person until he's not there."
James is a supervisor for the Holyoke Department of Public Works and said the transition to his civilian job wouldn't be "tough."
"It's a totally different type of work," he explained.
This was the second deployment for James, who will be celebrating his 20th anniversary in the Air Reserves next year.
Although many of the reservists have jobs waiting for them, Staff Sgt. Terry Wint of Springfield is looking for one. Wint, who has been in the reserves for five years, said he was happy to be back home, but he was laid off last year from his job and has been looking for one.
"I've got to find something soon," Wint said. He added that he hopes to go to school in the fall for a career in computers.
The 123 members of the reserve unit live throughout New England.
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