By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Lisa Cox received a wonderful gift for her 12th wedding anniversary.

She got her husband back.

Lisa Cox and her triplets, in February, 2002. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

After nearly 10 months protecting the U.S. home front with other members of his Kentucky National Guard unit, Sgt. 1st Class Allan Cox returned home to Westwood on July 28. Originally, the Coxes had expected his deployment to continue until this month.

Tempo told the story of the Cox family in March, focusing mainly on Mrs. Cox. She was devastated to learn that her husband would be called up for military service less than four weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. At the time, the Coxes - who had tried for eight years to have children - had 22-month-old triplets.

Which left Mrs. Cox, 41, who works as a paralegal, facing an arduous task.

"I look back sometimes now and I think: `How did I do it?' " she says. "It's still tiring now, but it's so great to have another pair of hands."

Mr. Cox, 48, knows his wife endured a strain while he was away, but he's thankful for the help she received from family, church and friends.

He and other members of the Louisville-based 198th Military Police Battalion left home Oct. 8, 2001. He spent most of the next nine months at Fort Bragg, N.C., with a brief stint at a California base. He was able to return home for holidays and a few other occasions, but always had to brace for another goodbye.

"It took (the kids) a while to realize he was home to stay," Mrs. Cox says. "When he puts them to bed, I think they're still testing him. They know Mom's limits, like when they're pushing too much and Mom gets a certain tone of voice. But with Dad, they sort of push the buttons."

The family spent as much time together as possible in the weeks immediately after Mr. Cox returned.

In August, Allan returned to work as a corrections officer for the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.

The joy of Mr. Cox's homecoming has been tempered somewhat by thoughts of a possible war with Iraq.

"There's always that chance I could get called up again," he says. But for now, "I'm back home, and I'm more focused on the family."

E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com