Winchester Families Concerned About Military Children

Detective Paul DeLuca normally speaks to his son two to three times a week. Since President Barack Obama announced that late Sunday night, DeLuca has not had a chance to get in touch with Michael.

Michael, who graduated from , as did his father, is currently stationed in England. And with the death of bin Laden, Detective DeLuca’s level of concern over the safety of his son has

“I’m nervous because he’s in England and there could be some retaliation over there,” DeLuca said. “Even though we have bin Laden there are different cells and there’s going to be new leadership. I worry about his safety. I worry anyway, but I’m definitely a little more concerned now.”

According to Detective DeLuca, Michael is in army intelligence and is currently focused on the African countries, specifically Libya and Muammar Gaddafi. But in July of 2009 until July 0f 2010, Michael was stationed in Iraq.

While watching a hockey game Sunday night, DeLuca’s younger son suggested he turn on the news, which is when he found out the news.

“I watched it all night long,” DeLuca said. “I’m very happy and relieved to see that it’s over and done with.”

“I pretty much had the same reaction as everyone else,” said Detective Doug Wilkinson, who also has a son in the service. “I’m elated that they finally got someone that they’ve been looking for, for a long time.”

Detective Wilkinson’s son, Michael, is in the Marine Corps on the USS Boxer, off the cost of Africa. Having served in the Navy for over two decades, Wilkinson understands the risks involved in joining the military.

“I’m an old pro at this,” Wilkinson said. “I’ve been there, done that. I know how it works.”

But while Wilkinson was pleased with Sunday’s announcement, the Winchester detective knows there are risks that come with it.

“With what happened with bin Laden, it definitely raises the parental concern,” Wilkinson said. “You wonder, how is he? It’s tough that he’s not aloud to tell you much about what’s going on or where is he is or what he’s doing. But that comes with the territory and you have to get used to it.”