By Jeff Bahr
EAST NEWARK – There is perhaps no day as special as that blessed day when a soldier finally returns from war. Just ask the family of Navy Petty Officer First- Class Carlos Pinto, 28, an East Newark resident who recently returned to his loving brood after various tours of duty, including stints in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.
When Auri Retana contacted The Observer only a few days before her brother’s Jan. 16 return from Afghanistan, she sounded upbeat. Like any concerned and loving sister she was thrilled that her sibling would soon be back, safe and sound with his family.
Auri told me of the many sleepless nights that her mother Celina and father Carlos Sr. spent while their son was serving in faraway and dangerous parts of the world. “It was a nervewracking experience for my parents,” said Auri, whose ebullient tone suggested that the lead weight of worry had finally been lifted from her family’s shoulders.
It’s been a long time in coming. Pinto, who graduated from Harrison High School in 2001, signed on with the Navy just a short time before the occurrence of the 9/11 attacks. After Congress authorized military action in Iraq, Pinto found himself in the thick of things serving aboard the U.S.S. Cowpens, a Ticonderogaclass missile carrier. The vessel, based out of Japan, became the first U.S. Navy ship to fire a missile salvo in the opening stages of the war when it launched 37 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Later in Pinto’s career, he saw his rank rise to E6 Petty Officer First-Class. His most recent deployment was a six-month tour in Afghanistan as a member of the joint U.S. Army/Navy Task Force Paladin where he functioned as a member of the Joint Command Supporting Staff E.O.D. (explosive ordinance demolitions).
Through all of this, Pinto’s five-year-old daughter, Abrianna, and his girlfriend, Emily, patiently waited for that special day when the family would be reunited. Their prayers were finally answered on Monday, Jan. 16 when Pinto returned to them.
When asked his personal feelings about returning home, Pinto, still stationed in Afghanistan, sounded relieved more than anything – not at all surprising given the stress associated with such perilous duty. “I’m just happy to be coming back,” said Pinto with a hearty chuckle.
He then offered up his thanks to his family for their “continued support” as well as the many others who stood by him along the way. “I’d like to thank everyone for all of their support,” said Pinto, “especially Ms. Shirley Becker (a Newark resident) who has sent countless care packages to myself and my military buddies.” Their “care and concern” was truly appreciated, added Pinto.
