Home for the holidays
Jasper graduate returns home just in time for Christmas
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Courtesy photo JARVIS LEVETTE was happily suprised at school when his dad, Sherman Levette, returned home from Iraq.

Staff Sergeant Sherman Levette is glad to have R&R in Jasper for Christmas.

He's home, briefly, from his second tour in Iraq, seven months done and seven to go.

His first tour was a year of patrol duty in "TC," tank command, on a Bradley Commander patrolling dangerous routes. He said they had Iraqi interpreters with them. The mission was to make sure people were taken care of, that the highways were secure so people could vote and return to business as usual, and to "try to catch the bad guys."

"We also did humanitarian missions like delivering blankets to kids and families," Levette said. "We were helping rebuild the infrastructure, delivering supplies, helping with security."

He said his unit lost six and had about 80 more wounded, many from VBIEDs, vehicle borne improvised explosive devices.

"Basically, it's a vehicle with ammunition and bits of chain and metal inside, and when they blow it, it makes a mess all over," Levette said.

His second tour he is serving as a supply sergeant for the 3-17 CAV unit out of Ft. Drum, NY.

"We're in Baghdad, not out on patrol, and we make sure we have the tools and supplies for the 3-17 CAV recon aircraft so the mission gets done."

Levette is career army and has served for 10 years.

"I joined the army to take care of my family," he said. "When I have time, I continue my college education, and I'll finish college with a degree in occupational safety. There's always a need at OSHA."

In Iraq, his idea of recreation is to relax in the tent with the X-box, and to call home almost every night to keep up with his family.

Levette is a 1991 Jasper High School graduate and also attended Texas State Technical College in Waco before joining the army.

He is married to Nicole Levette and has three children, Destini, 6, Anthony, 9, and Jarvis, 11.

He's due to return to Iraq shortly after Christmas.