Operation Samantha

Yesterday Sam was approached by a Third Grader who told her that her daddy was going to die in Iraq.

Children are cruel and will say things without consideration for others. Kids are mean. Sam immediately went into a funk, threw up, and was taken out of school by her mother.

To give Sam credit, she did not react violently. Unfortunately, she turned a lot of the fear inward where it is still holding on firmly until I get home. Would I be upset if she had dealt with it directly? Only a little. However, let’s give Sam her due, she has come on long way since February when she had adjustment issues when I returned to the war from Leave.

To give her mother credit, Stacey is going to allow Sam to follow up by being there when Sam confronts this child. Stacey continues to deal with being a “temporary single parent” in a very unusual situation.

I was able to go on line and find the principal’s email address. I sent her off a “please address this issue” email. Within minutes I received a reply. In the liberal community of Ithaca, I was almost expecting a deflection on the part of the principal. Maybe it was my fear of anti-military, anti-war political stance being applied to my daughter. Needless to say, I was wrong and I apologize for thinking that way.

The principal was already aware of the situation and was on top it. She planned to speak to the boy’s parents when they arrived later in the day. I thanked her for her support of Sam and Sam’s issues surrounding my deployment.

That wasn’t enough for me. I sent Sam flowers to help cheer her up.

That still wasn’t enough and so I ask for help from you. You all have been very supportive of me for the past 9 months. I ask you to extend that support to Sam. If you could take just 10 minutes and send her a card. Lisa came up with the idea to call it "Operation Samantha". Let Samantha know that she is brave and loved. Over the course of the few days it will take for all the cards to get there it will a tremendous boost to her and help me feel better too.

Her address is in care of her mom's work:

Stacey Payette
Operation Samantha
Ithaca High School
1401 North Cayuga St
Ithaca, NY 14850

Thank you all for your support. The time is winding down. I look forward to getting home safe and sound to my daughter.

17:08:35:11