story6739.xml

story6739.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I WAS AT MY DESK WORKING, AS I AM AN INSURANCE AGENT, WHEN THE PHONE RANG LIKE IT ALWAYS DOES. I PICKED IT UP AND ON THE OTHER END WAS MY DAUGHTER AND SHE WAS VERY UPSET. MY ALISHA IS A SOILDER IN THE US NAVY. SHE WAS STATIONED AT JACKSONVILLE HOSPITAL AND WORKS IN ELECTRONICS. SHE HAS BEEN IN THE NAVY FOR 6 YEARS NOW, AND HAS NEVER CALLED ME FOR HER WORK AT THE BASE. SHE STARTED TO TELL ME ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE. EVERY ONE BUT MILITARY PERSONEL WAS REMOVED FROM THE BASE, INCLUDING ALL CIVILIAN POLICE OFFICERS. SHE WAS AFRAID AND READY TO DO WHAT EVER SHE HAD TO DO, TO PROTECT HER COUNTRY AND HER FAMILY. HER HOSPITAL WAS THE ON CALL HOSPITAL AND WOULD BE THE FIRST TO GO IN IF NEEDED.SHE WAS OUTRAGED AT WHAT WAS GOING ON. HER COMMANDER WAS AT THE PENTEGON THAT MORNING AND THEY HAD NOT HEARD FROM HIM. SHE ASKED ME A QUESTION THAT I DIDNT KNOW HOW TO ANSWER, SHE SAID MOM I WILL DO ANYTHING I HAVE TO DO , TO STAND BY MY COUNTRY AND MY COMMANDER AND CHIEF, BUT I AM AFRAID , IS THIS WRONG ? WHAT DO YOU TELL YOUR CHILD AT TIME LIKE THAT. SHE WAS ASSIGNED SECURITY PATROL ON THE BASE AND HAD TO CARRY A GUN, WITH ASHOOT TO KILL ORDER IF SOMEONE DIDNT STOP OR LEAVE AS TOLD. WE HAVE LIVED LIFES IN A STATE OF FREEDOM SO LONG THAT WE DONT UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ELSE. I PRAY EVERY DAY THAT THIS WILL BE OVER SOMEDAY BUT WE ALL HAVE TO KEEP THIS IN OUR MINDS SO THAT WE CAN PREVENT MORE TO COME. GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO GET THEIR LIVES FOR IT.