FELLSMERE — Marine Staff Sergeant Matthew Delapaz received a surprise welcome when he returned to Fellsmere after a 7-month deployment in Afghanistan – his fifth tour – serving on the front lines in the infantry. More than 100 friends and family members gathered in the parking lot at the Snack Shack on County Road 512 to welcome the 28-year-old home.
Escorted down County Road 512 by a Fellsmere Police cruiser running lights and sirens and 23 motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders, Staff Sgt. Delapaz stepped out of the vehicle to the cheers, applause and whistles of the assembled crowd – many shouting words of thanks.
Many approached and gave him hugs, kisses and firm hand shakes, each thanking him for his service to the country.
Stunned and surprised, Staff Sgt. Delapaz didn’t know what to say to the crowd, and just grinned and took it all in.
“Never, ever doubt that you’re appreciated – that what you do is appreciated,” said one woman, a member of the Military Moms Prayer Group.
Among those at the homecoming event were Donna and Michael Barone, a former Fellsmere City Councilman, who have known Staff Sgt. Delapaz – Matthew – since he was 12 years old. He quickly became an extension of the Barone family, Michael Barone said.
“We just watched him grow from a little boy to just a fabulous man,” he said.
Donna Barone described Staff Sgt. Delapaz as “passionate, dedicated and funny – a prankster.”
Michael Barone said that though Staff Sgt. Delapaz isn’t his own son, he was always concerned about whether he would return home safely from each of his tours.
“You worry,” Barone said.
Lucy Ann Delapaz, Staff Sgt. Delapaz, was all smiles, and a few tears, when she climbed out of her car – part of the motorcade that brought her son into the parking lot.
“My boy is finally home!” she said as she hugged a friend.
This being her son’s fifth deployment overseas during his 10-year career, Delapaz said it doesn’t get any easier sending him off.
“I get more worried,” she said.
Staff Sgt. Delapaz is home for one month before he has to report to his new base, stationed in North Carolina. Currently, he and his family are stationed in Hawaii – but his wife and three young children have been living with his family in Fellsmere.
Delapaz said that she plans to make the most of her month with her son – and not talk about the military. Instead, “we talk about family.”
Staff Sgt. Delapaz took a deep breath after the crush of the audience began to subside.
“It was crazy,” he said of the homecoming, adding that he’s not used to such treatment.
As to why he joined the military – Marines, no less – and continues to serve, Staff Sgt. Delapaz said it’s to keep “the fight over there so it’s not here.”
But the multiple deployments take their toll, he said.
“I’m just happy they know who their father is,” Staff Sgt. Delapaz said of his children, 2-year-old Alice, 5-year-old Matthew Jr., and 7-year-old Priscilla.
He has been away on duty for almost half Alice’s life, he said.
Staff Sgt. Delapaz said he wasn’t sure why he chose the Marines to join, as opposed to the other branches of service. He joked that it might have been because the uniform is better than the others.
One of his uncles served in the Marines – another is an Army veteran, who told Staff Sgt. Delapaz that he wouldn’t be able to cut it in the military.
Staff Sgt. Delapaz had to prove him wrong.
“It’s a tough life,” Staff Sgt. Delapaz said, “but it’s tougher on the family.”
His wife, Brandie, has been with him from the start of his military career. She said she’s happy that he’s home and safe.
“It feels real,” she said of having him stand within three feet of her. During his deployment, they were able to communicate once a week most the time; sometimes communication was a little bit more sparse.
Having been in Fellsmere during this last deployment, Brandie Delapaz said she was grateful to the community – not just for turning out to the homecoming but also for reaching out to her family.
“It’s just amazing,” she said, adding, “I’m whole again. He is my other half.”
Staff Sgt. Delapaz graduated from Sebastian River High School Class of 2002 and enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” his mom, Lucy Ann Delapaz, said. “He’s done so much more in his life than I will. We need more people like him.”
His father, Jose Delapaz, agreed.
“I’m very proud of him,” he said. “I’m supporting him all the way.”
He plans to share a cup of coffee in the morning with his son and perhaps go fishing sometime while Staff Sgt. Delapaz is home.
“I’m very happy, that’s for sure,” he said.
Brandie Delapaz said the one thing she wanted readers to know is that – regardless of their opinion of the wars the military has been sent to – they should support the troops.
“They don’t choose their fights,” she said. “They just do their job.”
