A soldier comes home; Army Spc. Downey returns to Cape

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 9/26/09

Army Spc. Erika Downey has two families, but she will spend her 20th birthday at home with the people who have watched her grow over the years into a responsible, young adult who is determined to serve her country.

The 19-year-old Iraq veteran joined the U.S. Army two years ago when she turned 18, and served her first tour in Baghdad.

She returned home on leave Wednesday, greeted by her mother, Barbara Desmond.

“It was a shock because my mom definitely went overboard, like mothers do,” Downey said Friday. “That’s really all you have over there besides the people you’re with.”

Downey said she considers those she serves with as family, but to come home to parents, siblings and friends is a heartwarming experience.

“I’m still in shock,” she said.

Downey will celebrate her 20th birthday Sunday and plans to spend her time “just relaxing.” She said she is “just trying to take a load off, sleep a lot and spend time with the family.”

With a mother and father who both retired from the Navy, and a 23-year-old brother, Staff Sgt. Eli Downey, stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana, Downey grew up understanding what it is to be a part of the United States military.

“I’m a military brat,” she said. “I wanted to be a police officer, but to become an officer in Cape Coral you have to be 21, and I did not see myself going to college at that time.”

In lieu of joining the ranks of the Cape Coral Police Department or going to college, Downey enlisted after graduating from Mariner High School in 2007. She has completed one year of schooling for an associate’s degree in criminal justice through the Army.

Downey said that when she enlisted, her mother and brother understood why she made the decision.

“My mom understood,” Downey said. “Coming from a Navy background, she didn’t take it as hard. My brother said, ‘Good for you.’”

Downey will drive to Missouri, where she will be stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Thursday. She said she could soon be sent to Afghanistan to begin a second tour over seas.

But now, Downey is looking forward to December, when she will return home to spend the holidays with her family.

“It couldn’t be a greater gift,” she said.