Joe and Leanne Peel have been married for 13 years and have spent every Christmas of their marriage together. Unfortunately, 2007 has presented the Peel family with an uncontrollable situation.

Joe Peel is a U.S. Army Specialist and will be stationed in Iraq until May. This is the first Christmas that he will be away from his wife and their three children, Torrie, 14, J.D., 12, and Haleigh, 11.

But Leanne Peel and the children still plan to make this year a memorable Christmas at their home in Tonganoxie.

The family prepared 23 stockings for the soldiers in Joe Peel’s platoon. It took five boxes to mail the presents to Iraq.

“It’s a hard time of the year, not only for us being away from Joe, but it goes for all the military families,” Leanne Peel said. “They might be 9,000 miles away, but we’re still thinking about them.”

Leanne Peel had many family members helping with the stockings, including her mother, Linda Schiltz; Joe’s parents, Nancy and Ed Peel; Leanne’s grandmother, Mary French; and Leanne’s sister-in-law, Wendy Cook.

The group stuffed candies in the stockings: Store-bought candy and candy canes, as well as Chex mix and Cracker Jack. Homemade goodies were also included.

“It took a lot of brainstorming,” Schiltz said. “We were limited on what we could send. By the time it gets there, cookies could mold or break apart and crumble. Wendy’s cinnamon candies are Joe’s favorite. If you like cinnamon, you’d love it.”

Joe Peel might not be able to spend the holidays in Tonganoxie, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to see his children open presents Christmas morning.

“We’re hoping we can get him on Web cam Christmas morning,” Leanne Peel said. “It depends whether he’s running missions at the time.”

Joe Peel has been in Iraq for nearly a year. He returned to Tonganoxie in August for 18 days of rest and recuperation.

“It’s hard, but the kids are doing well,” Leanne Peel said. “It was hard on them the second time saying good-bye. They are a little sad because it’s the holidays. But they still know mommy’s going to carry on the same tradition.”