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Soldier enjoys holiday leave from Iraq
By Richard Reeder

This document was published online on Friday, January 02, 2009

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Jessica Niziolek anxiously awaits the airport arrival of her husband Army Sgt. Samuel Niziolek. (Photo by Sara Loven)

The holidays have been much more special for the Niziolek family this year.

Sgt. Samuel Niziolek arrived home last week from his second deployment in Iraq.

“Everyone was excited,” Niziolek said. “I was glad I was able to be here.”

Niziolek was greeted at Yellowstone Regional Airport by his wife Jessica and 11-month-old son Westen, and other family and friends.

“I’m here for my son’s first Christmas,” he said. “I’m glad to be home right now.”

Niziolek is on his second deployment in Iraq. He’s a sergeant of operations in the field.

Niziolek grew up in Cody until high school, then moved to Maine where he graduated. Hi mother Kathy still lives in Maine and his father Riff lives in Oregon. His grandparents, John and Lee Niziolek, live in Cody.

Jessica is a Cody High School graduate and her parents, Larry and Peggy White, live in Cody.

Sgt. Niziolek said this deployment has been different than his first.

“It’s more quiet than the last time I was there,” he said. “Things have really calmed down and it’s safer.”

He’ll be home in Cody for about three weeks.

“I have to return in mid-January,” he said. “I have five more years left on this enlistment, so you don’t know how many times I’ll go over there.”

Niziolek has plans while he’s home.

“Not only am I glad to be here with my family, I get to do some things I enjoy,” he added. “I’m going duck and elk hunting.”

(Richard Reeder can be reached at richard@codyenterprise.com.)

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