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QC12122013

FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com december 12, 2013 • The Queens Courier 23 HB SOLDIER IS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS BY MAGGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com After nine long months overseas, Sergeant Kristianpeter DiStefano is home in Howard Beach. His arrival back stateside on Friday, December 6 was delayed two hours after his airplane seat was given away, said Ellen Buonpastore, DiStefano’s mother. “He was dressed in full uniform, and they gave his seat away,” Buonpastore said. But the sergeant eventually flew to LaGuardia Airport, from which DiStefano, 29, went directly to Lenny’s Clam Bar, where he was greeted by family, friends and local elected officials. His mother said it feels “wonderful” Christmas Shop Now Open Poinsettias, European Baskets, Christmas Trees, Wreaths & Decorations Firewood Available by the bundle or by the pallet INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE Now Going On Through February 2014 $10 OFF any purchase of $50 or more ICE MELT Snow Shovels and Snow Blowers now in stock KEIL BROS. INC. GARDEN CENTER & NURSERY QUALITY•SERVICE•INTEGRITY 21011 48th Ave. • Bayside • Open 7 days 718.224.2020 WWW.KEILBROS.COM See us on KeilBros.Inc. Let Keil Bros. Inc. Home & Garden Showplace make your HOME & GARDEN into a SHOWPLACE with this coupon only & not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Expires 12/24/13. to have her only son home. “Now I’m going to fatten him up, make him happy,” Buonpastore said. “I’m very proud of him.” This was DiStefano’s fifth deployment, but first to Afghanistan. The career-Army man was previously stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. He is scheduled to deploy again, this time to Africa at the end of January. “He tells me, ‘Mom, I go back because now somebody else gets to go home and see their mom and their family,’” Buonpastore said. “It’s a brotherhood.” The Army man didn’t always know he wanted to join the ranks, but after he did, his mother said he has come to love the job. “He loves taking care of the younger soldiers,” she said. “A lot of kids are coming out of foster care and they have nowhere to go, so they wind up in the Army. My son takes them under his wing.” “He’s a rough guy with a big heart,” she continued. PHOTO BY JOANN ARIOLA Sergeant Kristianpeter DiStefano returned from overseas on Friday, December 6. PHOTO BY JOANN ARIOLA Sergeant Kristianpeter DiStefano returned from overseas.


QC12122013
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