My name is Fred. I am 24 years old. I don't even know
where to start. I am in the military. I have been in
the Military Police Core for 5 years now. I live in
Italy now. But I hope to get out of the army soon.
Well here is my story.I got married to a woman named
Shae. She was a great woman. We were in love from the
first time we seen each other. It was great. Well
after 2 weeks we got married. I know most people will
think thats to fast but in the army you never know
what will happen one day to the next it was Aug 31,
2001. At this time in my life I was on the S.W.A.T
team at Ft.Campbell. Home of the 101st Airborne Life
was great. I loved my job, my friends, and my new
wife. I could not wait to get up and go to work
everyday. Then when I was at work I could not wait to
come home to Shae. Well who knew what would happen
only 11 days later. Sept 11. Its started off as a
great day. The sun was out, and it was a nice warm
day. I happen to be in a school zone doing speed
enforcement. Then my partner heard on the radio what
just happen in New York City. He was from that city.
He thought it was just a joke. Then both of are pagers
went off. We had to go to the S.W.A.T ready room. We
raced over there to find out what in the **** was
going on. Then we heard the worst news in the world.
The team was then locked down. We could not leave or
go any where.The team was on a 1 min recall. So for
the whole month of Sept. I could not see my new wife.
For the first few days I could not even call her.But
the team was real busy from day one. Doing all kinds
of law enforcement missions on Ft.Campbell. Home to
more then 76,000 people.I felt like I was back in a
war zone again. Well a month later we could go home
but we were still on a 15 min recall. I was so happy
to see my wife again. Then a few days after I went
back to work. I was working night shift. When the call
came on the police radio. All cars come back to the
station. No reason was put out why. So I went back as
soon as I could. I walk in and seen everyone on my
shift, when the Sgt said to eveveryoneThe time has
came. We our going to war. Then I had to go back home
and pick up my things and tell my wife this news. I
felt bad for what I had to tell her. But that is what
I came in the military to do. I was so ready to go. I
was still so sick about Sept 11.Well about 24 hours
from the time the Sgt said we were going. I was on a
plane to AfAfghanistanSo at this time I been with my
new wife about 11 days from the time we got married.
But I still work about 12 hours everyday.So I have not
spent that much time with her yet. Well I was gone
about 2 months in the war. But there was not a min
that went by I did not think of her. I loved her so
much. Then I returned home to the best country in the
world. The United States Of America. It really is the
best bebelievee. I seen most of the world. When I seen
my wife again I cant tell you how happy I felt. Buy
the way I did not tell you in Oct around the 31st. She
told me that she was late on her period and took a
test, she told me we were going to have a baby. I was
so happy. I wanted a kid for the last 5 years, just
was waiting for that right person. So anyways when I
first seen my wife again she was about 3 1/2 months
along. I was so happy to be home again. I wanted to be
with her so I could take care of her everyday. And
bebelievee it was like another full time job.Well about
1 1/2 months later. I was going to go to Italy for 3
years. I was happy because my family could come with
me. But I had to go first and get everything ready for
her to come over. The hard thing was she had to wait
for her passport and visa to come in. It took about 2
months till it came in the mail. That was 2 of the
longest months of my life. I could not wait to get her
back in my arms again. Just to hold her, and take care
of her every need. Well when Shae made it into Italy
it was great. I thought well yes it has been hard for
us up to now. But everything will be out now. Boy was
I wrong. The first weekend I was with my wife here in
Italy. Someone in my platoon got a D.U.I. Well if you
dodon'tnow anything about the army you should know that
some people bebelieven mass pupunishmento I was called
in that weekend. I had to leave my wife again. Go back
to work. She was new to this place. She did not know
anyone yet or anything. By this time she was about 6
months.So it was hard for her to do everything. Well
that weekend I had to sleep on the floor for 2 nights
with no sleeping bag or anything. Also all of us were
treated like ****. For what? Most of us never got in
trouble in the military. But mass pupunishments a *****
sometime. Well a few days later I was able to see my
wife again. I was glad to see her again. But I felt
bad. She did need to be put throw all of this. If I
added all the time me and her been totogethererom Aug
31. It would be around 3 months maybe.