Oct 8, 2005 By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS – Approximately 140 Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division returned to Moundsville, W.Va., Friday. Among those returning from Iraq was Perryopolis native Allan David. David, twin brother of Joe David, who returned from Iraq in February, was deployed to Iraq at about the same time his brother was coming home.

Lori Donesec, mother of the young men, said she is excited and thankful that both of her sons are back in the United States.

“It was wonderful to get Joe back in February, but I still didn’t feel complete knowing that his other half was still fighting on the front lines in Iraq,” said Donesec. “I am so happy now to have both of my boys home.”

Donesec said Allan spent his service time in Hit. She additionally said that Lima Company of Ohio was part of his unit.

“Lima lost four soldiers out of Kilo Company,” said Donesec. “This has been a real tough deployment for them and Allan really doesn’t want to talk to anyone but family today.”

The battalion, with a strength of 870 Marine Reservists, suffered 48 deaths while 150 others were wounded during their time in Iraq.

Donesec said she has been crying tears of joy over the past month just knowing that her son would be returned to her soon.

She also said that Joe, who is a criminal justice student at Westmoreland County Community College, would not be home to greet his older brother, born 11 minutes before him, until Sunday.

“Allan was supposed to come in on Thursday and we were so disappointed that he didn’t because Joe has a mandatory drill this weekend that he has to attend or he will lose his promotion,” said Donesec.

Donesec said she was really “bummed” that the boys will not get to see each other until Sunday.

However, she said “Welcome Home Allan” signs and posters have been placed in her yard and Joe bought two big flags, an American flag and a Marine Corps flag with poles to put on his truck, so that when Donesec went to Moundsville to pick Allan up everyone along the way and in the parking lot of John Marshall High School Field House would see them.

“We are just so excited that Allan is coming home,” said Donesec “and that both boys got through it without any injuries.”

Donesec said her nephew, Marine Lance Cpl. Jake David of Uniontown was in Iraq with Allen but he came home in April after being injured when a mine detonated and destroyed his Humvee, killing a fellow Marine.

Jake David received a Purple Heart.

David was among seven Marines of Kilo Company 3/25 reserve unit, headquartered in Moundsville, to receive the Purple Heart.

Donesec said Allan, Joe and Jake are best friends and Joe and Jake see each other a couple times a week.

Donesec said Friday that Allan looked a little thinner because he lost some weight over the summer but other than that he looked wonderful.