Abigail Warren ’16 | Staff Writer

Some families have trouble when a parent leaves on business trip, but for the Kolomjec family, nothing could compare to the time when their father left for 15 as a part of the Marines.

The military experience for the family began long before the 15 months when Major Chris Kolomjec, the father of Jackie Kolomjec ‘16, was fighting in Iraq, Jackie said.

From the start, Julie Kolomjec, Jackie’s mother, knew exactly what she was getting herself into and she could not have been more excited. Julie is always excited for new adventures, she said.

“I knew who I was marrying,” Julie said. “I was marrying a Marine, and when you marry someone in the military, you know it’s not going to be your typical marriage.”

Major Kolomjec and his wife were first transferred to Cherry Point, N.C. where their first born child, Jackie, was born, Julie said. Soon after they were transferred to North Carolina, they were told they were going to be transferred yet again, and this time across the seas.

Major Kolomjec was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where Julie gave birth to two more children, Chris Kolomjec ‘17 and Maddie Kolomjec ‘18.

After a few years, Major Kolomjec was then put on reserve, a temporary break from military duties. At that time the family moved to Michigan, Julie said.

Following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, Major Kolomjec was re-deployed to fight in Iraq for 15 additional months.

“We were not expecting him to leave so soon,” Julie said.  “But when you’re in the in marines, you have to do as they say and adjust to it.”

While he was in Iraq, things were challenging for the family, but they learned to cope with the change, Julie said.

It was most difficult for their children. They were too young to truly grasp what was going on. Not seeing their dad for almost a year and a half was extremely hard, Julie said. The kids were the ones most affected from the move of Major Kolomjec.

“I would always be thinking about what was the worst thing to happen to him, or how he wouldn’t be home for the holiday” Chris said..

Not only was it hard for the family but it was also hard for Major Kolomjec, who was fighting for his life as well, said Julie.

Major Kolomjec would write to his kids and walk over a mile every day in order to use a specific phone to talk to his wife. The Kolomjec family would send him care packages as often as they could and used their faith to get through the difficult times.

“I prayed for my husband every night, all the time,” Julie said.

When Major Kolomjec returned home, the Grosse Pointe community came together and organized different events in order to make it an amazing return, Julie said. The community got together and tied yellow ribbons around  numerous trees throughout the city in honor of his service.

At Richard Elementary, Maddie and Chris’ school, the students created and decorated American flags, which were then placed in the front yard for his arrival. Julie also purchased a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Major Kolomjec’s dream car, for him to come home to.

“I remember how excited I was to see how much Grosse Pointe was doing to give thanks to my dad,” Maddie said.  “It was amazing.”

Upon his return, the family waited anxiously as the different members of the Army exited the plane, Julie said.

Chris remembered a pillow, a cherished piece of Major Kolomjec’s, that his father would always carry around. As Major Kolomjec exited the plane, Chris saw the pillow attached to the back of a US Army backpack and automatically knew it was his father.

The family then ran with tears of joy to embrace him.

“I distinctly remember my dad kissing the ground as soon as he was off the plane,” Maddie said. “He was as thrilled to be home just as much as we were.”

Having a father and husband be in the military for 20 years was a lot of learning and growing for every member of the family, Julie said. It taught Julie to not take life for granted, and showed her how fragile life is.

“I have learned that it is a very big commitment for anyone to join the Marines,” Chris said. “It has taught me to do the right things, as well as to fill his shoes someday.”