Army Staff Sgt. Luis Aponte Fontanez served two tours of duty in the Middle East. His wife, Diana Cornejo, kept the home fires burning watching over their blended family in Hometown.
Army Staff Sgt. Luis Aponte Fontanez married Diana Cornejo four years ago. Between them they have seven children. Luis had already served one tour of duty in Iraq. Last fall he received his second call up, this time to Afghanistan. Luis left with the Army National Guard in January. When he learned that his orders were being cut short and he was coming home a month early, Luis emailed friend Jacqueline Canty at the Oak Lawn Park District for her help in surprising his wife. Read last week's NAMES IN THE NEWS. Diana was lured to the Oak View Center to film a video to send to Luis in Afghanistan. In the middle of the filming, Luis entered the room carrying a dozen roses, much to the astonishment of Diana and their children. “He told me he …
Army Staff Sgt. Luis Aponte Fontanez surprised his wife and children at the Oak View Center by returning home a month early from Afghanistan—and Patch was part of the ruse. Watch the video to see his family's reaction.
OUTSIDE CHICAGO, IL --When the Oak Lawn Park District lured Diana Cornejo with the promise of filming a video to send to her husband in Afghanistan, she thought it would be wonderful if he stepped into the room and surprised her. “I never get surprises,” she said. “He was going to see the video so I was excited by that.” Army Staff Sgt. Luis Aponte Fontanez wasn’t due home until next month. Diana, who says she never gets surprises, was in the middle of filming her “message” when Luis entered the room carrying a dozen roses on Saturday. Running into his arms, Diana hugged Luis around his neck. “Were you surprised?” he asked. Wiping away tears of joy, Diana watched their children line up for hugs from their dad, whom they haven’t seen for …
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OL Resident
11:34 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
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