Pocono News Section

From Chasing the Taliban to Chasing Drug Dealers

From Chasing the Taliban to Chasing Drug Dealers - Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 8:27PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Sunday, Jul 27, 2008 @ 08:27pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A local soldier is back home from fighting the war on terror. Staff Sergeant Joe Sinavage, Jr. returned home from his first deployment to Afghanistan. Now he's ready to hit the ground running again protecting the people of the city he grew up in.

Joe Sinavage spent a year in Afghanistan with the U. S. Army reserves. "I joined the military because I believe in this county and everything it's made of," he said.

There the Wilkes-Barre native carried out dozens of detainee pick-up and release missions. He also worked closely with the Afghani's, teaching them how to establish their own military police.

We first met patrolman Sinavage in 2007 - taking the oath to serve and protect the people of Wilkes-Barre. "As soon as I got done training, I was supposed to be out on my own. Then I got word I was getting deployed, hired in February and I left in May," he said.

After three months training in Texas - Sinavage deployed to Kandahar. Being away from home was hard. Joe Sinavage, Sr. said, "I always waited for his call, and if I wasn't here, I'd at least see the call and knew he's alive."

Each time the Sinavage’s heard about a soldier’s death in Afghanistan on the news, they got nervous. “And when something happened, as parents my wife and I did panic all the time," added Joe Sr.

Not to mention, missing out on the birth of little Mya, his 4-month-old niece. But now he's back home. "It was more than a dream come true, more than overjoyed," said Joe Sr. of his son returning.

Now Joe Jr. is making up for lost time with his niece. "It was one of the greatest things, waiting to come back to this beautiful little girl, couldn't wait to see her," he said.

"Just to have him here, knowing he's safe, and now he'll be chasing drug dealers instead of the Taliban," said Joe Sr.

Joe is taking a month off for some much needed R & R, then he'll return to the force August 11th. "It just feels right to be a police officer, especially in the city I grew up in," said Joe Jr.

Sinavage says he spent a week de-briefing and re-adjusting to civilian life in Fort Dix, New Jersey before coming home. There is a possibility he could be deployed again before his contract with the military is up.