by 
David Ybarra Jr.
The Ybarra family has a long tradition of service to their country. Cousins David Ybarra Jr. and Ruben Ybarra Jr. are making sure this tradition doesn’t die. Both are sailors in the United States Navy.
Ruben has been deployed since June 2012 aboard the USS Pioneer in support of minesweeping missions in the Arabian Gulf. It has been a long deployment but his wife Paulina, daughter Barbara, Nana Elena and parents Ruben Sr. and Lupita Ybarra are excited to get their son home sometime in February.
But as one son comes home, another one leaves.
David Ybarra Jr. will be saying farewell to his wife Michele, children David III and Isabela, and parents Carol and David Ybarra Sr. and grandparents Jesus and Trinidad Yanez and Elena Ybarra of Superior. David Ybarra Jr. deployed January 16, 2013 aboard USS Bonhom Richard which is forward deployed out of Sasebo, Japan. David Jr. is scheduled for a six month deployment and should be returning sometime in July, which is around the same time Ruben Jr. is scheduled to deploy again.
The military is a rough life but the Ybarra family understands that it is necessary role that someone must fill. It might not be a couple of years until Elena Ybarra, Nana Lenny, can relax knowing her grandsons are both home safe. But Elena knows this feeling all too well since her grandsons are following in the footsteps of their Tata Manuel, and their Tio Manuel and Tio/Dad David Sr. The Ybarra family defines patriotism and looks forward to the day they can celebrate their sons home.
Ruben Ybarra Jr.
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