Widow Accepts The Mission In Afghanistan After The Twist Of Fate 09.11
Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland was less than a month to retire when he went to work Sept. 11, 2001. He had already withdrawn speech saved on his computer at work. But it was the speech he would never allow. He died the day when terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.
"We had a love story between two ages," his wife, Sgt. Debra May Strickland said. Was a second marriage for him and a first for her - and a very happy, she said, based on friendship, compatibility and a common love for the army. "There had to do with knowing that the whole is more important than the individual," Debra, now 56, says. His death left a "void" that the last 10 years have not fulfilled.
"You are going nowhere. Adjust your life," he said. "I put my heart broke." But Debra says it has reached a point where it is quiet.
Her husband's work - which acts as an agent recruited advisor Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army - "it was appropriate for the soldiers and look good," he said. She - as a command sergeant major to order the facilities management of the army - "was to make things right."
Their conflicting missions initially led to some contentious interactions at the Pentagon, Debra laughs with her to investigate allegations of mismanagement and Larry stands up for staff.
At the suggestion of a friend and supervisor, however, Debra finally agreed - with reservations - Larry invitation to try to mitigate their differences in a game of bowling.
It was followed by more than four years of bowling and dating and were married Oct. 6, 1995 in Occoquan State Park, near Washington, DC She was 36, he was the 42nd
"Larry had not packed his office, he had many gifts that I would not leave him at home," complains Debra. "It was a mistake. Tons of great pictures and everything in the office, has moved into the new section [in the Pentagon who was beaten], not a month earlier."
Also lost: the speech at the ceremony of his retirement. Debra said she had so eagerly waited to hear what he would say about his speech.
"I knew he was going to say something ... important for me to hear, "said Debra." I spent more energy trying to revive it. .... I wanted to know what he would say. "
When some friends Debra realized Larry was so upset by the speech that "air and began to tell stories," says Debra, how he was happy with it.
11. September, Debra has worked at the Pentagon not far from Fort Belvoir, Va. "We did exercises access control day to die, watching what to do if we close the doors, that the practice" is such a thing, Deb says, remembering with a break in her voice. "It 'was a great day"
After Larry died in a state of shock, Debra thought when he retired from active service but the commanders and colleagues encouraged him not to make a sudden change.
"I'm not clear how it happened, but I was," said Debra, serving eight years before making the two tours on active duty in Afghanistan.
She says that three years after September 11 and the constant reminder of the attack on 9 / 11 terrorists into the Pentagon as the nation entered the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - were a blurry nightmare. "The images, conferences .... It was an exercise in Groundhog Day. For three years. I prayed every day. "
Anxiety relief after three years, she said, but he still has not been easy.
His two trips to Kabul was "the most rewarding experience I ever had in my career. I got to serve with soldiers, with what I have in the work my husband did before he died, "says Debra.
Debra finally retired last year, serving for 35 years. Most recently, he helped his mother in Florida, to address health care crisis and is finally an opportunity to consider what he or she intends to do later in his career. Debra also serves as a consultant for the National Council of 9 / 11 Pentagon Memorial Fund.
Debra says of this country and its elected leaders have lost sight of their sense of national direction in the 10 years since the 9 / 11, and it calls for a restoration of balance and responsibility.
"Someone has to keep the process responsible," he says.
But Debra has not lost his sense of optimism and hope in the last 10 years.
"I am convinced that we are the nation back on track, and we can do it fast," says Debra. "We must work together. When things are so desperate for so many people are so desperate, we must find common ground." And the tone of his voice makes it clear that he believes possible.
"We had a love story between two ages," his wife, Sgt. Debra May Strickland said. Was a second marriage for him and a first for her - and a very happy, she said, based on friendship, compatibility and a common love for the army. "There had to do with knowing that the whole is more important than the individual," Debra, now 56, says. His death left a "void" that the last 10 years have not fulfilled.
"You are going nowhere. Adjust your life," he said. "I put my heart broke." But Debra says it has reached a point where it is quiet.
Their conflicting missions initially led to some contentious interactions at the Pentagon, Debra laughs with her to investigate allegations of mismanagement and Larry stands up for staff.
At the suggestion of a friend and supervisor, however, Debra finally agreed - with reservations - Larry invitation to try to mitigate their differences in a game of bowling.
It was followed by more than four years of bowling and dating and were married Oct. 6, 1995 in Occoquan State Park, near Washington, DC She was 36, he was the 42nd
Also lost: the speech at the ceremony of his retirement. Debra said she had so eagerly waited to hear what he would say about his speech.
"I knew he was going to say something ... important for me to hear, "said Debra." I spent more energy trying to revive it. .... I wanted to know what he would say. "
When some friends Debra realized Larry was so upset by the speech that "air and began to tell stories," says Debra, how he was happy with it.
11. September, Debra has worked at the Pentagon not far from Fort Belvoir, Va. "We did exercises access control day to die, watching what to do if we close the doors, that the practice" is such a thing, Deb says, remembering with a break in her voice. "It 'was a great day"
"I'm not clear how it happened, but I was," said Debra, serving eight years before making the two tours on active duty in Afghanistan.
She says that three years after September 11 and the constant reminder of the attack on 9 / 11 terrorists into the Pentagon as the nation entered the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - were a blurry nightmare. "The images, conferences .... It was an exercise in Groundhog Day. For three years. I prayed every day. "
Anxiety relief after three years, she said, but he still has not been easy.
His two trips to Kabul was "the most rewarding experience I ever had in my career. I got to serve with soldiers, with what I have in the work my husband did before he died, "says Debra.
Debra finally retired last year, serving for 35 years. Most recently, he helped his mother in Florida, to address health care crisis and is finally an opportunity to consider what he or she intends to do later in his career. Debra also serves as a consultant for the National Council of 9 / 11 Pentagon Memorial Fund.
"Someone has to keep the process responsible," he says.
But Debra has not lost his sense of optimism and hope in the last 10 years.
"I am convinced that we are the nation back on track, and we can do it fast," says Debra. "We must work together. When things are so desperate for so many people are so desperate, we must find common ground." And the tone of his voice makes it clear that he believes possible.
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