Sailor and his family have happier holiday this year

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997 | 11:16 a.m.

On Christmas Day, for the first time in 38 years, North Las Vegans Anthony and Dorothy Silva were alone.

All four of their grown-up sons were working in different western cities, unable to make it home for the holiday.

"We have always been a close family, so this was a lonely Christmas for us," said Dorothy, 60, a former radiology supervisor, who two years ago retired to Southern Nevada with her husband, a 62-year-old former electrical mechanic for Southern California Edison.

"Still, we didn't have to worry so much about our son, Daniel, like last year."

Daniel Silva, 31, is a petty officer third class fireman serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, which this time last year was in the Persian Gulf, keeping a watchful eye on Iraq, the country United Nations forces -- led by the United States -- defeated in the Persian Gulf War several years ago.

Earlier this year, Daniel returned to his home in San Diego and to his wife of 15 months, Machelle. On Wednesday, they will drive 5/frac1/2 hours to Las Vegas to spend New Year's Eve with his mom and dad.

"My wife and I spent Christmas alone, too, but that was OK because it was our first one together," Daniel said in a phone interview on Monday. "It was quiet and peaceful. This New Year's visit will be short -- a one day thing -- because I have to get back to work.

"This is the time in your parents life when you want to spend every moment you can with them. But now, you also have your own life and your own family and your own obligations."

Families all over America will reunite Wednesday to ring in the new year and say goodbye to the old. The Silvas plan to do it in the quiet of their home, reminiscing about the past.

For a family deeply rooted in the military, the conversation undoubtedly will include what Daniel did during his six months of duty in the troubled Middle East.

"The worst thing about last year, was having a son floating out there in the water and not knowing exactly where he was, because they are not allowed to tell you," said Dorothy, echoing the concerns shared by millions of moms of military personnel. "You'd get a letter seven weeks later, but, by then, they were somewhere else."

In six years of service, Daniel has toured much of Asia, the South Pacific and the Persian Gulf twice. His father served in the Army's 34th Armory tank division as a sergeant.

Two of Daniel's three brothers also have served. Derek, 35, is a 17-year member of the reserves and a surgical technician in California. Durand, 29, is an Air Force sergeant stationed in Texas. He works as a mechanic on B-1 bombers.

Anthony Silva Jr., 38, did not serve in the armed forces. He has been employed by a grocery food chain in California for 20 years. Last September, Anthony's son, Akoni Silva, joined the Navy out of high school.

"I am proud that my sons have seen the world -- especially Daniel, who has seen more than most," Dorothy said. "Still, it is nice when they have the opportunity to break away from their jobs and come to visit."

Dorothy says the best Christmas-New Year's holiday for her and her husband was one year in the mid-1980s when the grandparents of 12 were visited by all of their children and grandchildren for a big celebration.

These days, the Silvas' second family is the Liberty Baptist Church on Lake Mead Boulevard, where she does volunteer work as a secretary and Anthony is missionary director, corresponding with the church's 71 missionaries worldwide.

Daniel, who admits to having worked a great many jobs "from accountant to lumberjack" before joining the Navy, says he is considering making the military his career.

"Last year, I felt like a guardian to much of the crew because I had been there before," said Daniel, a damage control specialist, whose job is to train other sailors to fight shipboard blazes and respond to other emergencies.

"Before I joined the Navy, I was a jack-of-all trades and a master of none. Now, I feel like I'm where I should be."

So does the Navy, which this month issued a three-page news release regarding his accomplishments.

"I believe our presence worldwide lets all possible enemies and allies know that we are here for world peace," Silva was quoted as saying in the Navy release.

"It's nice to be home with your loved ones, even if you are at work on these holidays. We can always celebrate a day before or a day after."