Local soldier gives shout-out to family

Pvt. Justin Chabek

Video

By Jon Moffett

NEWTON FALLS — Rich and Laura Chabek have always had their three sons home for Thanksgiving.

This year, the Newton Falls couple will have to settle for a video of their oldest.

Private Justin Chabek, 18, of Newton Falls, is one of several Ohio soldiers to send holiday wishes via the Internet.

“This is Private Chabek, and I just wanted to give a shout-out to Newton Falls, Ohio,” Justin Chabek said in the video from California .

“I’m in Fort Irwin doing some training. Just giving a shout-out to my mom and dad; tell them to have a happy Thanksgiving and have a good one.”

Rich Chabek said although he misses his son, he’s justifiably proud.

“We’re proud of what he’s doing,” the father said. “It’s our first son who’s gone for the holidays, but we’re definitely behind him 100 percent.”

Rich Chabek said his son Justin knew he wanted to be a soldier since he was very young.

“He’s never talked about any other job except for being in the military,” Rich Chabek said. “We thought it would go away since he was only 8 years old, but that’s all he wanted to do. We’re glad there are still kids out there who will defend their country; he loves America.”

Justin Chabek played football and was a power lifter while at Newton Falls High School. His brothers are Greg, 16, and Dylan, 11. Greg currently attends the school and is also a member of the football team. Justin Chabek also has a girlfriend, Alyssa Catan, of three years who Rich Chabek said still comes over to visit with the family.

Rich Chabek said seeing his son reach his dream as a soldier in Afghanistan is the best gift.

“I’m real glad how he turned out,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder as a father.”

The video is part of a program set up by the Ohio National Guard. Videos of Ohio-area soldiers giving shout-outs to their families for Thanksgiving are available through a Web site and show several soldiers wishing their families and friends well.

The Ohio National Guard has made the videos available to the media for use on their Web sites. To view Justin Chabek’s video, visit Vindy.com.