Bellevue mom Kim Roney got the best Christmas gift of all time when sons Josh and Mark were able to get leave at the same time. Both young men are currently serving in the United States Navy. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

Christmas dinner came to Bellevue a little early for Kim Roney and her sons.

And Santa came almost two weeks ahead of schedule, with presents exchanged on Dec. 13.

But the family was not rushing the season. They were just fitting everything in before Josh, 24, and Mark, 22 had to report back to their ships, Josh to the USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, and Mark to the USS Enterprise in Norfolk, VA.

The family last spent time together in August, 2008, just before Josh deployed to Japan.

Josh and Mark, Northgate grads, classes of 2004 and 2005, respectively, had shared interests in sports, classes and science while growing up, so nobody was surprised when one followed the other into the military.

"After high school, I was weighing options. I looked at the Air Force since I didn't want to go to school anymore. I talked to recruiters who explained the nuclear program, and with mathematics being one of my strong points, it all made sense," Josh said.

Mark, who had done a few years of college, said, "I saw that Josh was doing well, and he liked what he was doing, so I decided to join."

Both showed the same interests in nuclear operations and both followed the same training schedule: a year at nuclear school in Charleston, SC, followed by hands-on education.

Josh, an electronics technician, now ranks as a 2nd class petty officer. Mark, a machinist's mate, ranks as a 3rd class petty officer.

But before being accepted into the program, they also had to prove that they had what it takes to master the academically demanding classes. In keeping with their habit of tandem achievements, Josh and Mark scored in the 90th percentiles in military aptitude tests.

They recalled rigorous academics from Northgate days as good preparation.

Josh said, "I liked having some of the more challenging teachers -- the ones who pushed students and really cared."

In high school, Mark enrolled in physics and advanced placement physics classes as well as in trigonometry and calculus. "Our teachers really taught the courses well. They helped us to grasp tough material. These were challenging courses, but the teachers were always there to help."

One of those teachers recalls the Roneys' academic dedication.

"Both of these boys were the kind of students who would do anything for you. I always remember how positive and upbeat they were. These are the types of students that you would want to fill your class or student council with," said Bill Sebastian, retired physics teacher and student council adviser.

Outside of class, sports played a big role while growing up, with both brothers wrestling from junior high through senior high, as well as running cross country and track.

Kim Roney said that her sons constantly competed with each other, but that sports had taught them so much self-discipline -- the kind of discipline needed to complete the rugged course work.

"By the time we're finished, we're just shy of a bachelor of science degree in nuclear engineering," Mark said. "We work hard for it. The school we attend is based on MIT's course work. We do four years in one-and-a-half. The Navy just cuts out the electives."

While they've completed the classroom instruction, Mark points out that he is still learning. "On each boat, the plant is different. It will take another year or more to learn everything."

Josh is now fully qualified to operate a nuclear reactor on his own. "I have to see that it stays safe and provides power to the ship."

In addition to the pride they have in their responsibilities and achievements, there are other sources of satisfaction that come with their service.

Josh said, "It's the greatest feeling when guys who did 30 years in the Army or in the Navy tell you that what you are doing is good for the country. To get their praise is most rewarding for me."

The brothers did not grow up nose-to-the-grindstone workers, though. There were times in high school when they showed the opposite of their serious side.

Reading teacher Catherine Cochran recalls, "Mark could always put a smile on your face by just walking into the room because he told some of the best jokes and when he came into the room, you would always have that expectation."

Don Matthews, who teaches history, said, "Josh was a true asset to Northgate. His enthusiasm, sense of leadership, humor and great athletic skills made him one of the most popular young men in the district. We all wish him well."

That enthusiasm and leadership have carried over, giving the brothers a mature view of America's ongoing war against terrorism.

Josh believes that "One of the biggest concerns for our country is the global opinion of America. We can work to make the world better and safer for everyone, but there are some people who do not agree with what we're doing. They think we'll make it worse. So while we think we're doing good, others think we're meddling."

Mark agrees. "We have to show the world that what we're doing is the right thing to do. We have to set the standards, set the examples for other countries to follow."

With their time at home soon to be a memory, Mark sees the toughest aspect of his return to the ship as being the tight regimen, the standards that have to be maintained daily. For Josh, it's being away from friends and family. "I get home once a year, and it's at my own expense."

There is e-mail, of course, to keep in contact, and Kim said that not a week goes by without a few letters from each of her sons.

Mark noted, "My ship will deploy in September, so it will be a long time before we'll be together again at Christmas."

But they'll return to their ships with the gifts given to them, a special one for each of them from mom being crystal globes inscribed with, "You Mean the World to Me."

And they'll have warm feelings remembering gifts they gave to their mother.

From Josh, it was taking his mom, his aunt, and a good friend on a Caribbean cruise. From Mark, a heart-shaped locket with photos of him and Josh in Navy uniforms. It's nearly identical to a locket she used to wear with pictures of them when they were babies.

Kim Roney sits between her boys, holding their hands tightly and holding back her tears. She says what her expression clearly shows. "I have two of the most wonderful sons a mom could have. This time has gone too fast."