Family has several generations of Marines

When the phone rang at 3 a.m. at the Wybles' Carson City home two weeks ago, it was Staff Sgt. John Wyble, 28, letting his parents know he was going to Iraq and wouldn't be home for a while.

And don't expect to hear from him for some time, he told Dave Sr. and Pat Wyble.

"He already was in Kuwait," Dave Sr. said. "He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., when he was deployed. But he called to say he was going to Northern Iraq. At this point, we figure no news is good news, so we know he's OK for now."

John is not the only family member in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His brother-in-law, Virgil Madeiros, also a Marine, is in Kuwait. John is with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine, Motor Transport Vehicle Repair. Madeiros is assigned to supply with 1st Radio Battalion at Camp Commando in Kuwait.

The Wyble family is proud of its military background and the men who have and are serving their country. The American flag and the U.S. Marine Corps flag are displayed at the front of the home. Inside, the U.S. Marine logo is seen in several areas.

"I'm worried, I'm concerned," Dave Sr. said. "When you're in the Marine Corps, you know if something happens, you're going to have to go. John's call brought back memories of me going to Vietnam."

Dave Sr., a 20-year veteran of the Marines, served in Vietnam with the 9th Engineer Battalion.

His great-grandfather fought in the Civil War. His grandfather, Frederick W. Wyble Sr., was in the Marines in World War I. His father, Frederick Jr., was in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

His brother, Thomas, served in the Marines. His son Dave Jr., 30, enlisted for four years in the Marines. And now John is on active duty, as is Brett, 25.

"I don't know what happened to Dad," the only Navy man in the bunch, Dave Sr. added with a laugh as he cradled his 4-week-old grandson, Jonathan, in his arms.

John is married to Stephanie and has a 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. He's been in the Marines 10 years.

"And my daughter Jennifer said she wanted to join the the Marines, but they didn't have tap dancing available as a job so she turned around and married a Marine."

Jennifer, 25, and Virgil have been married four years. Their daughter, Kaitlyn, is 2. Jennifer found out two days after Virgil was deployed that she is pregnant.

"She's (Jennifer) taking this pretty hard," Dave Sr. said. "Virgil was supposed to get out of the service Feb. 16. But the Marines put a 'Stop Law -- Stop Move' order into effect, which cancels any transfers or moves."

Jennifer's twin brother, Brett, has been a Marine for six years. At this time, he cannot be deployed since he is with a base unit, which makes his wife, Catherine, very happy.

"I'm not going to lie," she said. "I'm happy he's here. And he told me what my job would be as his wife -- to make sure my family is OK.

"So I call my sisters-in-law Stephanie and Jennifer to make sure they're taken care of."

"I'm lucky I'm on vacation right now," Brett added. "I'm not a glory hound by any means; I have a sense of guilt. I'm thankful to God I got to see my son born.

"And you know, I've got more than two brothers. The Marines are a band of brothers, and we've got more than 100,000 Marines over there. I was body-boarding in Hawaii last Saturday, and it just hit me: I'm lucky to be here. I'm almost positive I'll re-enlist when it's time."

Dave Sr.'s eldest son, Dave Jr., admits military life wasn't for him.

"I have a lot of different emotions," he said. "I worry about my brothers. I pray they're going to be safe. I regret I haven't seen my brother John in about four years. But I know this is something they have to do."

"The military is right for some, not for others," Brett said.

Dave Sr. said that after the Sept. 11 attacks, if his health would have permitted it, he would have returned to service. Congestive heart failure prevented him from doing so.

"No one likes war," he said. "However, what are we going to do? Sit and wait for them to come attack us again? We need to do this, to take a stance. Not sit back and wait for them to attack us.

"We don't know when our sons will be coming home. It could be 13 to 18 months. But it will be a great homecoming when they do."

Until then, the family attends rallies supporting the troops. Pat coordinates collection of hygiene items and snacks to send overseas.

"They could use batteries and snack foods like beef jerky, stuff that won't perish too quickly," she said. "And female hygiene products, too. Some people forget women are there."

"And notepads and tablets for them to write on," Dave Jr. added.

"Cash donations will help with shipping fees," Pat said. "All they have to do is call me."

YOU CAN HELP

What: Supplies for the troops

Call: Pat Wyble at 882-7864