Words from War: Meet My Pen Pal

Before introducing soldier SPC Shawn Wilson(left).... Some thoughts leading up to having to meet my pen pal: These days it seems Iraq-related talk is usually attached to the issue of a Presidential candidate's exit strategy or new grim numbers of troops killed in action. But despite the controversial issue, whether it's on a bumper sticker, in a sermon at church... or on a sign in a storefront window... the request to keep these men an women at war in your prayers remains everywhere.
Being a news reporter at this time... it is impossible to go untouched by the lives impacted by the ongoing conflict. Many of us have covered funerals of the fallen, shared amazing stories of communities pulling together to help families of soldiers... and captured irreplaceable moments that have turned to be some of my favorite assignments: the emotional reunions for those returning home. They are stories that I couldn't help feel some type of personal attachment to. I am from a family with strong military ties. I use to look at old pics of my loving grandfather Ray Goff and think-man that man is cool- he looks like Cracker Jack boy! But the handsome man in the middle was so much more. He was brave defender of a country he loves who flew missions in sub-chasers like this one during the Korean War (below). I also remember as a child, my dad (w/coffee), now a retired Military Intelligence officer also worked in places we were never allowed to go. My older sister Tricia (at podium) would successfully follow in his footsteps and become one of MI's best officers. I once had ARMY ambitions too.When I graduated from high school I ONLY applied to West Point. I had spent many successful HS years in ROTC... competing overseas in rifle competitions and the color guard. I had posters of former President Eisenhower and "Stormin' Norman" on my bedroom walls. I grew up loving the smell of boot polish and starched, crisp fatigues. I also remember as a child living with the fear that oneday my own father would be called to war. Luckily, I never experienced that. I like so many military brats just had to soldier through the frequent bouts of seperation while he reported to training exercises known as T-D-Ys. Sometimes he left for months at a time. As I got older I think like many people my age there I discovered a disconnect with my military roots.Recently, that reality hit home. While I was training for this TV job in Washington I had to drive by Walter Reed Hospital frequently. I couldn't help but stare and wonder about all the stories within those walls. The ones we never hear about. I decided I had to do something about it. I wanted to do more than tie a yellow ribbon. I called Walter Reed... and was put in touch with the Yellow Ribbon fund. It's an organization that helps injured service men and women while they recuperate at the hospital. With planning my recent wedding I must admit I have not had a chance to work hands on on the many selfless projects this group spearheads everyday. But through them I was able to "Adopt a Soldier". Meet Shawn Wilson to my left. He's 22, from Queens NY and is serving just south of Baghdad. His job: to watch over detainees at one of the prisons. Not knowing a thing about him or whether he'd actually ever know who I am... I sent him a "hello" care package filled with non-perishable things he could share with his comrades... 100 calorie packs, popcorn, crystal light, beef jerkey, wet wipes, toiletries and lotsa socks! A month would pass... and I finally got an email:

Hey Angie how are you? This is SPC. Wilson, you sent me a care package. I'm just contacting you back to let you know that I did receive it about a week ago and i loved it... If you would like you can write back to let me know that you received this message and maybe i could tell you a little about myself..
It was so neat to finally "meet" Shawn. I didn't know if my package would ever make it. I know the average time it takes is about two weeks. Thanks to the internet soon after we were easily connected. In our next email exchange I learned more about my new friend. SPC Wilson has been deployed for 10 months and works about 12 hours a day.

I've been in the service since early 2006. Over here they have me working in a detainee holding facility which isn't the most exciting job but at least i'm not in harms way as much as others even though sometimes i wish i was to help out my comrades on the front line. I do go on missions though but mostly in the air which can be uncomfortable at times because you really can't defend yourself if something happens but i'm cool with it now. From what i've seen since i've been here, the hostility went down a lot which means we're making progress in this area which is just south of Baghdad.

In another email I asked more about his mission and how he's handling it.

... i fly out on a chopper most of the time a blackhawk and it can vary how frequently i go, it could be twice in a week or twice in a month it just matters how many detainees we have at the time and how many we are going to transfer. It can be very stressful at times working with these guys who hate us but i've gotten use to it and don't let much get to me anymore.

He has since told me they're staying safe and he even sent me a sweet wedding wish! I plan to send another care package his way here soon. If there are any thoughts or things you'd like me to pass along let me know. I'm gonna have updates on Shawn's tour on my blog. I'll even see if he'll wanna be a guest writer from the war zone. Til then ... I ask for something we can never get too much of at this time: to keep Shawn and all those serving with him deep in your thoughts.

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ps- if you're interested in adopting a soldier email Maritza Lima at:

maritza@yellowribbonfund.org