story7047.xml

story7047.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-13

Life as I new it ended on Sept. 11,2001 at 1005 when I recieved a call from my Platoon Sargeant informing me that my unit was on alert. I was a single parent of five and working two full time jobs to support us. Post Office as a mail carrier from 0700-1530 and the IRS as a data transcriber from 1800-0230. I had to leave my children ages 17,13,10,5,and 2 for a year. This was devastating for my children. How do you explain to a 2 year old that you have to leave them in someone else's care? My three oldest dealt with it a little better because I had to leave them for Desert Storm. I missed all of there birthdays and that was hard on all of us. I take satisfaction in knowing that by me going I was making life a little safer for my children as well as all the children around the world. I am very proud of the contributions I have made in the war on terrorism and I'd do it again if I had to. God has brought me home safe and has taken care of my family. HE has given my fiance' the strength to stand by me and wait. Together with my family they took care of my children and they're all well. I dn't regret a day of my military career and it has been a long hard one. I have 9yrs 10mnths active and 2 years reserve time and despite serving in two campaigns,I will retire from the United States Army.
Proudly Submitted SGT Marlene Frazier-465th Transportation Company,Bristol, PA