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My heart was racing. My fingers were
starting to go numb. I was breathing rapidly and still felt
unable to catch my breath. I could not seem to calm down. I bent
my knees and knelt down. I then proceeded to kiss my fingers and
then laid my fingers on the tarmac.
I was in New Jersey. I was getting ready
to board a 747 and cross the ocean. It was January 14, 1991. I
prayed that God would allow me to kiss the ground again. My love
for this country was the reason I was here and I prayed that
God’s love for me would bring me back. Then I began to remember
the events that lead to that day.
As a child, I loved saying the pledge
allegiance to the flag. I was sure that I said it louder than
anyone else. My family felt this country was the greatest place
on earth. I learned this at an early age and still believe this
to be true even today.
After going to nursing school, an Army
Recruiter described the benefits to being an Army nurse. I had
two young children and I wanted them to live safely in this
country so I felt it was my duty to help. I was not a taker. I
was reaping the benefits of others contribution to this country
so I needed to do my part. The pay was much less than what I
made in my position as a nurse in the secular community but I
wanted to make a difference in life and show gratitude for
others generosity to making our country secure.
So, I joined the Army
Reserve.
So here I
was in New Jersey. I was going to war. I had read on the
statistics of war. In most wars only thirty percent of those who
were sent out returned back to this country. So, there I was
asking God to let me return.
Seven
hours after landing bombs went off over our heads. There were
four hundred of us standing under a parking lot for shelter. We
had left the airport only one hour before the first bomb. People
panicked. I helped others put on their personal protective gear
because fear made them incapable of moving. I can assure that
God gave me perfect peace. There I was in a parking lot with
fragments landing on the roof of this garage and I was calm. To
this day I have never felt such peace before or since and I
thank God for His grace in this situation.
We were not taken to the camp where
newcomers were to go. I know that God ordained this because
within a few days upon arrival a whole company had a scud blow
right through their camp which is exactly where we were suppose
to be. There were many who died and some were injured.
I spent six long months in Saudi Arabia
working with the five surrounding POW camps in the desert. We
did not have television or daily news casts so we did know what
was going on around us. We did know the bombing did not last
long but the daily black oil bathes were uncomfortable. The wind
brought blinding storms and thick black oil. The oil found its
way on everything. However, the loneliness was almost
unbearable.
I finally returned to the U.S.A. I kissed
the tarmac again. All I can say with true love, dedication and
gratitude “God bless America”. |
