Drizzt
Member
The Bradenton Herald (Florida)
March 29, 2003 Saturday EST EDITION
SECTION: FRONT; Pg. 9
LENGTH: 386 words
HEADLINE: Young sailor handling big guns in Persian Gulf
BYLINE: TIM W. McCANN; Herald Staff Writer
BODY:
Jada Roberts grew up in a family that knew the dangers of a firearm.
So when Roberts was 7 years old, her family put her in a gun-safety class. Her mother, Deby Kuederle, said she wanted Roberts to learn what guns are all about, what they can do - and how dreadful accidents can occur from misuse.
Today, 25-year-old Jada handles all kinds of firepower. U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Jada Roberts is a gunner's mate aboard the USS Gunston Hall. She takes care of the artillery, said Roberts' proud mom.
"She would actually shoot her .50 calibers if they were in a war situation," Kuederle said. "Right now she checks the weapons out and maintains them."
The Gunston Hall has been out to sea since January. The last time Kuederle received an e-mail from her daughter was shortly before the war started. Roberts told her not to worry, but she doubted she'd have time to write as frequently as before.
Kuederle said the ship remains in the Persian Gulf as far as she knows.
The ship itself has the population of a small city. In addition to the crew of about 240, around 500 Marines are on board. The ship also carries - and some of its crew trains - the dolphins that seek out mines in Gulf waters.
The dolphins, kept below the ship where they have plenty of swimming room, are trained to look for mines. When they spot a mine, a device attached to the dolphins marks its location. A diver deactivates the mine.
Kuederle said the crew was able to get off the ship for a day in southern Iraq. She said her daughter said the people were not hostile toward Americans, in most cases - but Iraqi women and children were not allowed on the streets after sundown.
Kuederle, a Bradenton resident and admissions director at Westminster Towers downtown, said sometimes she watches too many news reports about the war. Her daughter enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Palmetto High School and is in her last year in the military.
"It's like, gosh, she only had one more year to go! We almost made it through without a war," Kuederle said, adding that Roberts said morale among the crew has been high and the sailors appreciate the support they are getting back home.
March 29, 2003 Saturday EST EDITION
SECTION: FRONT; Pg. 9
LENGTH: 386 words
HEADLINE: Young sailor handling big guns in Persian Gulf
BYLINE: TIM W. McCANN; Herald Staff Writer
BODY:
Jada Roberts grew up in a family that knew the dangers of a firearm.
So when Roberts was 7 years old, her family put her in a gun-safety class. Her mother, Deby Kuederle, said she wanted Roberts to learn what guns are all about, what they can do - and how dreadful accidents can occur from misuse.
Today, 25-year-old Jada handles all kinds of firepower. U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Jada Roberts is a gunner's mate aboard the USS Gunston Hall. She takes care of the artillery, said Roberts' proud mom.
"She would actually shoot her .50 calibers if they were in a war situation," Kuederle said. "Right now she checks the weapons out and maintains them."
The Gunston Hall has been out to sea since January. The last time Kuederle received an e-mail from her daughter was shortly before the war started. Roberts told her not to worry, but she doubted she'd have time to write as frequently as before.
Kuederle said the ship remains in the Persian Gulf as far as she knows.
The ship itself has the population of a small city. In addition to the crew of about 240, around 500 Marines are on board. The ship also carries - and some of its crew trains - the dolphins that seek out mines in Gulf waters.
The dolphins, kept below the ship where they have plenty of swimming room, are trained to look for mines. When they spot a mine, a device attached to the dolphins marks its location. A diver deactivates the mine.
Kuederle said the crew was able to get off the ship for a day in southern Iraq. She said her daughter said the people were not hostile toward Americans, in most cases - but Iraqi women and children were not allowed on the streets after sundown.
Kuederle, a Bradenton resident and admissions director at Westminster Towers downtown, said sometimes she watches too many news reports about the war. Her daughter enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Palmetto High School and is in her last year in the military.
"It's like, gosh, she only had one more year to go! We almost made it through without a war," Kuederle said, adding that Roberts said morale among the crew has been high and the sailors appreciate the support they are getting back home.
Anyone know?
