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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES December 18, 2008 11 decorating the house. "But I'm glad I've decided to do it. It hurt, but I also think it helped me and my daughter in a way." Taylor said the Christmas feast at the school, which featured loads of Domino's pizza, also helped. "This is good for us," she said. "I have been trying to do anything I can to kind of get my daughter's thoughts somewhere else, and things like this help." The dinner was organized by North Layton student body officers and the school's Parent Teacher Organization. "Our kids wanted to do something to celebrate the military family," said North Layton Principal Dave Turner. "We hope these families can come in here and just have fun." Tlirner said about 10 percent of North Layton's student body is made up of students with at least one parent in the military. Above, Christine "Obviously, we are close to Hill (Air Taylor and Force Base), and we get a lot of their her daughter, families at our school," he said. Amanda "I think, for that reason, the kids at Duptain, talk our school kind of get it when it comes during a North to life in the military and what great Layton Junior sacrifices these families make for us." High School Valerie Burke, of the Hill AFB 75th dinner Air Base Wing, helped organize the Dec. 10. Left, event with the school and the Hearts Chief Master Apart Group, an Air Force-wide proSgt. Dean Olney gram designed to help military families talks with with separation issues. Brianne Nichols, Aside from the emotional connection a seventhfamilies get from meeting their contemgrader. poraries, Burke said, providing relief BETH SCHLANKER/Standard-Examiner from daily activities is also a big morale boost. "This is good for us. I have been trying to do anything I "This gives these families one night where they don't have to worry about can to kind of get my daughter's thoughts somewhere the stress of everyday life," she said. "They can come here and enjoy the else, and things like this help." food and listen to music and meet with CHRISTINE TAYLOR, about the event as she and her family cope with the other families and just relax." loss of their 9-year-old and an upcoming deployment Taylor said she will miss her husband during Christmas, but looks forward to days." a new year and a chance to move fora chore rather than a celebration. ward. Taylor was struggling to find the "I was Scrooge, or Scroogette — whatever you want to call it," she said. motivation to perform family Christ"It's been a hard year for us," she "I wanted nothing to do with the holimas traditions like putting up a tree and said. "But we'll make it." Military families honored guests at North Layton Junior High reception BY MITCH SHAW Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau mishaw@standard.net L AYTON — Christine Taylor almost decided to skip Christmas this year. Not only would her husband, Tech Sgt. Warren Taylor, be absent while serving an overseas deployment, but it would be the Syracuse resident's first Christmas without her son, Daniel Duplain. The 9-year-old was killed Jan. 23 after he was struck by his school bus near his home. On Dec. 10, Taylor and her daughter, Amanda, were among approximately 50 military families gathered at North Layton Junior High School for a special holiday dinner. All of the families in attendance will have at least one member away from home, serving an overseas deployment, during the holiday season. "Yeah, this year has been very difficult for us," Taylor said. "We are in a really unique situation. We are going through something probably no other family is." Taylor said having her husband gone during the holidays, coupled with the lingering grief she feels from her son's death, was making Christmas seem like LCOAfrr FREE CLASSIFIED AD* Place an item for sale in the Quality Consignments Store and receive a FREE Classified ad! CHAIRS /Many Styles to Choose From FROM ?3O DOOR BUSTERS •# *-r J- J 'FROM HAND HELD SHOWER HEADS Chrome or White JUMPER CABLES More Ju Arnv LIMITED QUANTITIES enter wffhBtfkshelve^ \x\\2' /ofl ONLY LOVESEATS NEW WINTER HOURS: MON-FRI: NOON-6PM SATURDAY: 10AM-2PM 300 N. 548 W. 300 N. BDO Ogden QUALITY CONSIGNMENTS Warehouse Outlet 548 W . 300 N., Ogden www.qualiiyconsignments.net 2ND STREET n; 3 BLOCKS NORTH OF THE STANDARD-EXAMINER Transportation available from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. "Movers Who Care." Serving Northern Utah 444-92 1 3 TO SELL YOUR ITEMS CALL 801-625-4300 |