WINTERVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – The holidays are a little bit sweeter this year for one military family here in the east.
An army chaplain who spent the last year in Iraq returned home to his wife and two little girls just in time for Christmas.
Army chaplain Steve Thurnau remembers the day in January when he got that fateful call.
"I got a call from one of my old executive officers saying that they needed a chaplain and that they were leaving in three weeks,” he said.
Even though it was hard to leave his two young daughters and wife behind, Thurnau says not going wasn’t ever an option.
"I couldn't imagine soldiers going down range without having someone there that's going to be there for them,” he said.
Thurnau was deployed to Iraq last February. He was able to stay in touch with his family via the internet but he and his wife Karen admit at times it was hard.
"Basic things like house cleaning suddenly become a big challenge. Just finding time to do them,” Karen said.
"Keeping in touch as well became difficult because of the time difference,” added Steve.
It was the little things Thurnau missed most.
"The food was a big thing. Water became a commodity that became hard to find after awhile so a warm hot shower that you could kind of lounge around in,” he said.
But now that’s a thing of the past. Thurnau made it back home just in time for the holidays. He flew into Greenville late Christmas Eve.
"Absolute best Christmas present ever,” said Karen.
For Asa and Karissa, all’s right in the world now that their dad is home.
"When he’s not there to look out its kind of hard cause we might start a fight you know,” said 7-year-old, Asa.
"When he comes home he gives us goodnight kisses,” said 4 year-old Karissa.
"It's hard to get your room cleaned without daddy isn’t it?” added Karen.
"Uh huh.”
As for what’s next now that he’s home – Thurnau says there’s no rush.
"For us the biggest thing is just trying to take our time."
Thurnau was in one of the last troops to be pulled out of Iraq.
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