Nobel prized in Saugus

SAUGUS – Army Spc. James Nobel said he voluntarily returned to Afghanistan for his fiancee, Lauren Ray.”I wanted to be able to save up some money to give Lauren a good wedding and buy her a house,” he said, adding that he had to re-enlist before being deployed a second time.Nobel said they are planning an August 2015 wedding.After serving in Afghanistan since April, Nobel was formally welcomed home with a ceremony at Town Hall Tuesday.”It’s a relief in a lot of ways,” he said. “It’s nice to be back around familiar stuff.”Ray said she was elated to have her fiancé home safe. “It’s phenomenal, it’s great,” she said.Although she greatly missed Nobel, particularly during his first tour, Ray said she understood why he was fighting a war 6,500 miles away.”That’s Jimmy, that’s what he does,” she said.Ray said she received support from other women who had significant others in Nobel’s unit. She also spent a lot of time working and planning their wedding.Nobel said he was surprised at how many things he took for granted prior to being deployed – things as small as buying a cup of coffee.A 2003 graduate of Malden High School, Nobel has lived in Saugus for 10 years and enlisted in the Army in 2008 on active duty. His eight-month tour of duty, which ended on Dec. 5, was preceded by his first deployment in 2010-11.”It was scary, you can only go off of what you heard,” Nobel said of his anticipation during his first 14-hour flight to the Middle East.He said the things he heard were much different than the reality that awaited him. “The first tour was a really hectic place,” said Nobel. “It was a lot louder, combat was a regular thing.”In contrast, he said his second deployment was much calmer.During his time in the war-torn country, Nobel was responsible for security and construction operations. He also received several accolades including an Army Commendation medal, an Army Achievement medal and the Purple Heart.However, Nobel said he expects to have an adjustment period after returning from the deserts of Afghanistan.”The pace of your life changes,” he said. “You have to learn how to go from 100 mph to whatever your life is.”During the ceremony, Nobel received commendations from the Board of Selectmen, the Saugus Veterans Council, Saugus Military Families and state representatives Donald Wong and RoseLee Vincent, and a peace plant from the Saugus Garden Club.”I hope you have a big wall,” said Selectman and retired Navy Capt. Stephen Castinetti, who noted Nobel will automatically become a Veterans Council member.”We’ll be looking for you on the first Monday of the month at 7 (p.m.),” said Castinetti.Veterans Service Officer Andrew Biggio promised Nobel that the Veterans Council will fulfill any needs that he and his fellow soldiers may have, from education to housing to employment.”Specialist Nobel, your name is fitting of your service,” said Biggio. “It’s good to have you home before Christmas.”