Dear Source,
I am a soldier on active duty status stationed in Germany. I have served in the military for 17 years now. I have traveled the world and will travel even greater destinations while stationed here. I have all intentions to return to my roots — Paradise.
My issue is the "neglect" of the mention of a dead soldier. This has bothered me since Sept 11, 2001, and still does. I read your article on how the Virgin Islanders paid tribute to all that died in the September attack.
There was a staff sergeant named Maudlyn White, 38. She was from St. Croix and died in the Pentagon attack. (See "V.I. terrorist victim buried at Arlington".) I did not know her personally, but I did know St.Croix was listed as her hometown and she was a fellow soldier. I have nowhere yet read anything or seen anything done for this soldier in remembrance of her.
At the mimimum, the soldier's name should have been mentioned in your article or tribute paid to her in a ceremony at home. I found out that the St.Croix firefighters visited New York to raise money or show their support. So I ask, what did they, or even the National Guard, more appropriately, do for this soldier or her family?
No matter where you are, when you see St. Croix, St. Thomas or St. John mentioned as someone's hometown, you automatically relate. You feel proud.
Near Canegata Ballpark on St.Croix, there is a big memorial marker for the guy from Guam who was electrocuted while trying to help us recover from a hurricane some years ago. We didn't even have to do all this for Maudlyn, but we should have done something.
Maybe I am taking this too personally, or maybe I don't know the whole story. Please forgive me if I have been misinformed. I would hate to die serving this country and not be recognized, at least in a small way, by my beautiful Virgin Islands.
Ellen M. Magras, CW2
DISCOM Food Adviser
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
