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'I just had to go' says 72-year-old Lena
Haddix | |
A 72-year-old Oklahoma grandmother is preparing to
become one of the oldest US military staff to go to Iraq.
Lena Haddix, from Lawton, a military wife for nearly 30 years, says she
volunteered for the Iraq mission.
"I wanted to do something for the country, because I was always left
behind taking care of the children," Ms Haddix said.
Her five children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
all discouraged her but to no avail.
"I just see so many of the boys. They're like little kids. They keep
telling me, 'I'm going over. I
would just like to go over and be with them."
Ms Haddix will be working for the Department of Defense's Army and Air
Force Exchange (AAFE) which operates shops selling goods to US military
personnel on army bases.
The Exchange opened its first store in Iraq in April 2003 and Ms Haddix
has already worked for them elsewhere.
Judd Anstey of the AAFE said Ms Haddix was an extraordinary character.
"She is a vibrant
individual, one-of-a-kind. She has a commitment that runs
from Oklahoma to Baghdad," he said.
Ms Haddix has just one medical test to pass before she is mobilised.
She is expected to arrive in Iraq, where AAFE have 30 shops, within a
month.
"I'm sure there will be times when I'll be scared, but
I'm not now," she said.
(Agencies) |
美國俄克拉荷馬州的一位72歲的老祖母即將成為赴伊美軍中最年長的人之一。
來自勞頓市的莉娜·哈迪克絲已經當了將近30年的“軍嫂”，她說她是自愿參加伊拉克軍事行動的。
哈迪克絲夫人說：“我想為我的國家做點事情，因為我總是被留在后方照料孩子。”
她有五個孩子，八個孫子和三個曾孫，他們都試圖阻止她（去伊拉克），但都沒用。
“我不過是看到很多的年輕男孩，他們就像小孩子一樣，不住地對我說‘我會成功的’，我只是想和他們一起獲得成功。”
哈迪克絲夫人將為美國國防部下屬的陸軍和空軍交易服務處工作，該機構負責經營商店，向美國軍事基地的軍事人員出售日用品。
2003年4月，美國陸軍和空軍交易服務處在伊拉克開設了第一家店鋪，哈迪克絲夫人已經在別處為該服務處工作過。
交易服務處的賈德·安斯提說，哈迪克絲夫人是一位非凡人物。
他說：“她是一個充滿活力，與眾不同的人。她的任務是從俄克拉荷馬州調到巴格達。”
哈迪克絲夫人在調動之前僅需通過一項身體檢查。
預計她將在一個月內到達伊拉克，美國陸軍和空軍交易服務處已經在伊拉克開設了30家商店。
“我確信將來的某些時刻我會感到害怕，但現在我并不畏懼。”她這樣說。
（中國日報網站譯） |
Updated: 2004-11-29 10:59