Brother in Marine Corps comes home for Christmas in best present for sister

Photos by Tom Rivers: Olivia and Omar Peterson hug after not seeing each other in nearly a year since he left to begin a four-year commitment with the Marine Corps. Their grandparents, Eddie and Rose English, are in back.

ALBION – Olivia Peterson was called down to the high school office at 2 p.m. today. It was the last day of school before Christmas break.

Olivia, a freshman at Charles D’Amico High School in Albion, made the trek through the hallways and down the stairs.

When she was near the office, she caught a glimpse of a familiar person outside. She took off running and bolted outside to hug her brother.

Omar Peterson, 21, has been gone since February. He was first at the Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina. Since boot camp he has been stationed at Camp Pendleton near San Diego in California. The private first class is a data administrator.

Olivia has missed her brother in the 10 months he has been gone. She sends him text messages throughout the day, and he stays in touch, and tries to pump her up with encouraging words.

“She is my only sister and she is my best friend,” Omar said. “I text her every day.”

Olivia and Omar Peterson are looking forward to the holidays. Omar is on leave until just after New Year’s Day.

The two have been through a lot together. They cared for their late mother Angela while she battled cancer. She passed away from cancer on Oct. 19, 2020.

Omar said he is proud of his sister for keeping good grades. When he was at Albion, he was the goalie for the soccer team and a swimmer.

“She is way smarter than I was in school,” Omar said.

“Except for science,” Olivia interjects.

Olivia said she had a feeling her brother might be coming home for the holidays. She saw some clues in his text messages.

She is glad he stopped by the school instead of waiting until she got home.

Omar said the Marine Corps has been a great fit for him.

“I’m loving it,” he said. “I’ve grown up a lot.”