Iraq tour brings about sacrifices

Pete Bonicelli Jr., an electrician at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, and a former Shawnee resident, is working in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bonicelli travels throughout Iraq, usually in Army Blackhawk helicopters, as an electrical inspector and works with electrical contractors, correcting wiring discrepancies and making electrical repairs at Army Materiel Command facilities.
He is a morale booster of Army units located in isolated parts of Iraq, especially if the unit has been without water, flushing toilets and showers for several days. In appreciation from one unit, Bonicelli received a commander’s coin for his spirit raising repairs. He states how proud of it he is and he carries the coin everywhere he goes. Although he misses his wife, Julie, and his daughters, Ashlee and Alex, they understand and are proud of his service there.
He is enjoying his deployment, meeting and working with “fantastic” people, working 12 hours a day, seven days a week and also “eating great food.”
Bonicelli is grateful and said tour in Iraq is the “most rewarding experience of my life.”
He feels honored and privileged to serve his country.