Spouse Faces Painful New Reality

[unhappycamper]

Spouse Faces Painful New Reality
July 06, 2010
Army News Service|by Laura M. Levering

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The news came loud, but unclear. Erica Paci was awakened by vigorous knocking at her front door. Her heart pounding, she jumped out of bed and ran to see who was there. Met by two service members, a military spouse's worst nightmare suddenly became Paci's reality.

"I fell to my knees and was just begging Jesus for it not to be true ... And then I quickly snapped out of it, because I have three babies to take care of."

Paci learned that her husband, Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Paci, was killed March 4 when the Stryker he was riding in swerved to miss an oncoming vehicle and rolled over in Afghanistan. He was a member of 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

Paci had spoken to her husband just hours before. In his usual manner, he blew a kiss and assured her he would call again in the morning. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined it would be the last time she heard his voice.

"I can honestly say I believed that he was coming home," Paci said. "People even promised me. They told me I had no reason to worry."

[Angry Dragon]

1. Family values

When I read this OP I thought of all the families that are being ripped apart by these illegal wars. Is this part of the family values that the republicans speak of all the time?? US families, NATO families, Afghan families, Iraqi families, all being torn apart, even if the soldier comes home part of the family is lost.

I am angry

[unhappycamper]

2. My mother experienced this in 1954.

At the time we were living in San Diego.

My dad was a United States Navy airplane driver.

Part of his squadron was tasked with flying AT-6 trainers down to Texas and flying some helicopters back to San Diego. My dad and his wingman encountered heavy fog on the way down. My dad took a left and the other guy took a right. Bad move. His airplane ran into a rock filled cloud.

I distinctly remember when the condolence team came to the house and told my mom. I didn't realize it then, but that was one of those moments you hope to never see again.