A note of thanks to those who serve [9-11 widow in Iraq - moving!]

Air Force Link - thru DefendAmerica.mil ^ | 6/30/2003 | Christy Ferer

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

A note of thanks to those who serve

by Christy Ferer

6/30/2003 - NEW YORK (AFPN) -- When I told friends about my pilgrimage to Iraq to thank the U.S. troops, reaction was underwhelming at best.

Some were blunt. "Why are you going there?" They could not understand why it was important for me, a 9/11 widow, to express my support for the men and women stationed today in the Gulf.

But the reason seemed clear to me: 200,000 troops have been sent halfway around the world to stabilize the kind of culture that breeds terrorists like those who I believe began World War III on Sept. 11, 2001. Reaction was so politely negative that I began to doubt my role on the first USO/Tribeca Institute tour into newly occupied Iraq where, on average, a soldier a day is killed.

Besides, with Robert De Niro, Kid Rock, Rebecca and John Stamos, Wayne Newton, Gary Sinise, and Lee Ann Womack, who needed me?

Did they really want to hear about my husband, Neil Levin, who went to work as director of the New York Port Authority on Sept.11 and never came home? How would they relate to the two others traveling with me: Ginny Bauer, a New Jersey homemaker and the mother of three who lost her husband, David; and former Marine Jon Vigiano, who lost his only sons, Jon, a firefighter and Joe, a policeman.

As we were choppered over deserts that looked like bleached bread crumbs, I wondered if I'd feel like a street hawker, passing out Port Authority pins and baseball caps as I said "thank you" to the troops. Would a hug from me mean anything at all in the presence of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and a Victoria’s Secret model?

The first "meet and greet" made me weep. Why? Soldiers, armed with M16s and saddlebags of water in 120-degree heat, swarmed over the stars for photos and autographs. When it was announced that a trio of Sept. 11 family members was also in the tent it was as if a psychic cork on an emotional dam was popped.

Soldiers from all over our great country rushed toward us to express their condolences. Some wanted to touch us, as if they needed a physical connection to our sorrow and for some living proof for why they were there.

One mother of two from Montana told me she enlisted because of Sept. 11. Dozens of others told us the same thing. One young soldier showed me his metal bracelet engraved with the name of a victim he never knew and that awful date none of us will ever forget.

In fact at every encounter with the troops there would be a surge of Reservists -- firefighters and cops, including many who had worked the rubble of Ground Zero -- wanting to exchange a hometown hug.

Their glassy eyes still do not allow anyone to penetrate too far inside to the place where their trauma is lodged; the trauma of a devastation far greater than anyone who hadn't been there could even imagine. It's there in me, too. I had forced my way downtown on that awful morning, convinced that I could find Neil beneath the rubble.

What I was not prepared for was to have soldiers show us the World Trade Center memorabilia they'd carried with them into the streets of Baghdad. Others had clearly been holding in stories of personal 9/11 tragedies which had made them enlist.

USO handlers moved us from one corner to the next so everyone could meet us. One fire brigade plucked the three of us from the crowd, transporting us to their firehouse to call on those who had to stand guard during the Baghdad concert. It was all about touching us and feeling the reason they were in this hell. Back at Baghdad International Airport, Kid Rock turned a "meet and greet" into an impromptu concert in a steamy airport hangar before 5000 troops.

One particular soldier, Capt. Vargas from the Bronx, told me he enlisted in the Army after some of his wife's best friends were lost at the World Trade Center.

When he glimpsed the piece of recovered metal from the Towers that I had been showing to a group of soldiers he grasped for it as if it were the Holy Grail. Then he handed it to Kid Rock who passed the precious metal through the 5000 troops in the audience. They lunged at the opportunity to touch the steel that symbolized what so many of them felt was the purpose of their mission -- which puts them at risk every day in the 116 degree heat, not knowing all the while if a sniper was going to strike at anytime.

Looking into that sea of khaki gave me chills even in that blistering heat. To me, those troops were there to avenge the murder of my husband and 3,000 others. When I got to the microphone I told them we had not made this journey for condolences but to thank them and to tell them that the families of 9/11 think of them every day. They lift our hearts. The crowd interrupted me with chants of "USA, USA, USA." Many wept.

What happened next left no doubt that the troops drew inspiration from our tragedies. When I was first asked to speak to thousands of troops in Qatar, after Iraq, I wondered if it would feel like a "grief for sale" spectacle.

But this time I was shaking because I was to present the recovered WTC steel to Gen. Tommy Franks (U.S. Central Command commander). I quivered as I handed him the icy gray block of steel. His great craggy eyes welled up with tears. The sea of khaki fell silent. Then the proud four-star general was unable to hold back the tears which streamed down his face on center stage before 4,000 troops. As this mighty man turned from the spotlight to regain his composure I comforted him with a hug.

Now, when do I return?


(Editor’s note: This commentary is printed with permission from Christy Ferer, a New York native whose husband, Neil Levin, was killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Ferer was part of a recent United Services Organizations tour to Iraq.)

[fatima]

Bump.

[djreece]

Wow!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

O.k., now you all got me going again, lol. Sniff.

She's a 'rock', isn't she? The truth in this one article may even thaw an Iraqi war correspondent's heart.

Thanks, Taxman. Updating it daily. (^:

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

We must NEVER Forget. Our troops KNOW, and so should America! THANK GOD FOR OUR TROOPS!! The WORLD should be grateful. But once again MOST of them won't be, not openly, not now. Historically such people are only grateful after all the blood has been shed, then they will give us some huge statue and extort our troops virtues and their noble sacrifices.

The way they do this is very transparent, it always has been and they are the most pathtetic cowards I've ever seen. They KNOW no shame. They are kept free by better men and women than themselves. WE know that, and THEY know that. They are the epitomy of COWARDLY.

ALSO it is important to note and a SIMPLE deduction to realize that the vidoe's of al queda terrorist training showed them on motorcycles BEFORE WE WENT TO WAR, and that our troops are being killed by people who "hit and run" on MOTORCYCLES. Does anyone think that is a co-incidence? Does anyone think that certain elements in Iraq just happened to think of this tactic so soon after Iraq fell?

What about the bomb yesterday at the UN in Iraq? Gee, sound familiar?

I think it all proves the al queda connection in Iraq. Simple deduction.

If Americans become complacent WE WILL see ON OUR OWN STREETS the terrorism we are seeing in Israel, Iraq, AND ON OTHER STREETS IN THE WORLD. It is not inconcievable. Wasn't 9-11 enough of a warning? Once it starts, it will be as hard to stop as it is over there.

What is happening oversea's is the best arguement for the Patriot Act.

I'm glad to see this young widow went over to give our soldiers a boost in morale.. they need it. The good Lord knows they don't always get the right message from the LIBS or the media. Heck, they haven't been getting it from some REPUBLICANS lately!!!

If any troops ever see this.. you are DOING the RIGHT THING, and some of us are smart enough to know it.

We give thanks for you every single night. We know what is happening, didn't just happen over night. It has been taking place for WELL over a decade!! It will take more than a couple months to undo the damage. In fact, more than a year or two!

God Bless you all.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Thanks for the info, great resource I will be using in the future.

[MrConfettiMan]

I had tears in my eyes when Sonny got whacked at 'da tollbooth in Godfather and sobbed when Fredo caught a bullet in 'da rowboat in Godfather II, but this article really caused this Italian from Jersey to get all choked up. Thanks for the post, RC.

[JustPiper]

Read and saved , how heartfelt!

[Michael121]

Thanks for the Post.

As a "hard-hearted" kinda guy and former Army veteran, I do not tear up easily.

Thanks for ruining that for me.

:o)

[radu]

Thanks, y'all, for guiding me to this moving commentary. *sniiiiiiiffle*

The majority of the military men and women I've had the pleasure of corresponding with the past several months have said the same thing Christy Ferer said, as to why they're more than willing to fight this war. 9/11. That's the reason. Some even joined the service for that reason.

Looking into that sea of khaki gave me chills even in that blistering heat. To me, those troops were there to avenge the murder of my husband and 3,000 others. When I got to the microphone I told them we had not made this journey for condolences but to thank them and to tell them that the families of 9/11 think of them every day. They lift our hearts.

Reading this gave me goosebumps. What a wonderful thing Ms. Ferer, Ms. Bauer, and David did, going overseas to personally extend the families' thanks to the troops for their efforts. My guess is they lifted the hearts of our troops with their visit.

[deadhead]

Thank You for posting this very moving letter. As I was reading the letter, I noticed that one of Mrs. Ferer's traveling companions was Mr. Vigiano. The Vigiano's are from my hometown. Two streets were renamed in honor of John and Joe Vigiano.

Never Forget.

Family Pride: Relatives of the Vigiano brothers, a cop and fireman killed 9/11, unveil the signs of the renamed Deer Park streets

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Well said. This President and these troops and military leaders have no intention of giving up. As for our political opposition, we are far more motivated - again.

Check out my homepage. People around the world are paying attention and getting the truth out about the troops on the ground. Bypass the press and take it to the people, V.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

My pleasure, MrC. Sharing her story is a joy.

Her light makes the roaches scatter and the Veterans smile. (^:

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Would this be a good time to tell you how grateful I am for your service? Thank you.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

What a wonderful thing Ms. Ferer, Ms. Bauer, and David did, going overseas to personally extend the families' thanks to the troops for their efforts.

I know, radu. Some may have been absent on 9-11, but most of us understand that the world changed on that day. Ms. Ferer wrote a timeless, beautiful piece...and it means a lot to the troops.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The Vigiano's are from my hometown.

And you know their names and honor them. Thank you.

Never forget.

[LibKill]

I'm having a little trouble seeing the screen right now. At my age I shouldn't be crying.

[PhilDragoo]

Christy Ferer

Neil Levin

[Michael121]

I humbly thank all those who still raise their right hand like I did once, and my father and his father. I am not a "Military Family" or legacy but my Grandfather was in WWI and my Father in Korea. I just felt it was something that I should do, to put myself in the place to defend the freedoms I enjoy.

They did it for their future children, I for mine, the new troops for theirs.

I accept your thanks reluctantly, next time you see a uniformed troop, male or female, Army, Marine, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard.... at a restraunt, buy them lunch, dinner, etc....

:o)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for your service to our country.