Mar 3, 2005 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

POINT MARION – For 15 months, Army combat engineer Martin Hubeaut worked each day to protect the United States, protect the Iraqi people and protect himself and his fellow soldiers. And for 15 months, Hubeaut’s wife Mary and daughter Amber prayed each day for their husband and father, for the soldiers and for the people of Iraq.

Now, the family has reached the end of their arduous journey, one American soldiers across the country battle every day. The Hubeauts are relieved and happy the tour is over.

“He is not going anywhere anymore,” said Mary, as neighbors hugged the slight woman, her face lighted with a glow of pride. “I have waited a long time for this. He is home for good.”

As the snowflakes swirled in the bitter March air, Point Marion, gathered along area streets and porches to welcome home their native son and to thank all the Hubeaut’s for their service to their country.

Hubeaut, who fought with Alpha Company 458 has served in the military for 10 years. The 41-year-old said nothing really prepared him for the perilous and frightening journey into a combat zone.

“We saved a lot of soldiers lives by finding EIDs Explosive Incendiary Devices,” Hubeaut said. “Things calmed some since the elections ended.”

Married for 20 years, the Hubeauts said adjusting to life without one another was tough, especially not knowing what might lie ahead for Martin and the other U.S. troops.

Mary said she followed the news “too close” every day, tracking her husband’s movements and praying for his safety.

And Hubeaut’s daughter Bethany, 19, a freshman at California University of Pennsylvania, also watched the news closely, hoping her father would return home without injury.

Hubeaut could not hold back his emotions when recalling one night in June while working to sweep the area for explosives when insurgents ambushed his unit with rocket-propelled grenades. In the firefight, Hubeaut’s best friend, Thomas Koffman of South Carolina was killed.

“It was hard,” said Hubeaut, looking at his hands, remembering the horror of the combat.

Hubeaut, who works at Mylan Pharmaceuticals, said he was able to talk to Bethany and Mary almost every day by e-mail, something both admit helped them survive the long stay away from home.

“I was scared on some missions,” Hubeaut said. “Once you leave the wire, the compound, yeah, it was scary. It is just real good to be back home,” he said, sneaking a smile at Mary.

Hubeaut said now that he is home, he and his family will be headed to the beach to try and unwind from the last 15 months that seem like a long dream and to give him time to catch up with his family.

“It will be good just to hear the ocean,” Mary said, her arm rubbing Martin’s shoulder. ‘Our prayers were answered. We just wanted him home safe.”

“It was hard and I missed him, but I had to be the backbone for my mom,” Bethany said. “It definitely made me grow up fast. It is wonderful to have him home. I am so proud.”