My life as a soldier....I served in the Army for 12 years; I was stationed in Germany for 8 of those years. Manheim Germany is where I did most of my truck driving. I drove 200,000 miles in a 6 year span. I know that does not sound like much; however, I hauled M1 Abrams and Bradley's (64 Tons). The maximum speed was 35 mph. I was fortunate enough to drive in Belguim, Holland, Luxemborg, The Netherlands, and most of the American bases in Germany. I participated in the removal the M1 tanks from Berlin, which happend to be part of the treaty that brought the Berlin Wall down. I was at the Wall on November 9th as history was being made. In all of my training nothing prepared me for what was to come, on 6 January 1991; I left my home, my husband and my 2 and 3 year old son's and flew half way around the world. I landed hard in Saudi Arabia. The war had not started and we were stuck at the Port of Dahman waiting for equipment. Believe me when I say, that was a hot target for the famous SKUDS. I spent day and night in full chemical gear. I still to this day have a hard time hearing any type of sirens. After a months stay at the Port, our equipment finially arrived and we moved forward to Log Base Echo. I drove missions into Kuwait and Iraq. I have good memories of all the times spent in the desert. I stayed until May and was glad to leave when my time was up. The one memory that I have a hard time getting out of my mind is seeing the children running up to the soldiers begging for food. We had to burn all of our trash, every waste that was created had to be disposed. The local men and woman would send their children barefoot into the burning piles to retrieve anything. They knew if we would see this act we would give them food. It was very dificult seeing these young children who were just a few years older than my own being used like that. I would have given them the boots off my feet if I could. I came back with an appreciation for our basic liberties. Every night I sit in my home, thermostat set at 72, belly full... climbing into my king size bed. I say a prayer: "Dear Lord", "Thank you so much for allowing me to cherrish another day with my family... Please watch over them as you have watched over me. I pray for every man and woman in harms way. I know their sacrifice and their purpose. Comfort them as you have comforted me. Reward them for thier works as you have rewarded me. In Jesus Name, Amen."