By:Jeff Lipton
Joseph and Maryann DeSimone of Inwood have much more than a passing interest in America's war against terrorism. They have been closely watching news reports about the buildup of U.S. troops near Afghanistan's borders and the first military strike by the U.S. on Sunday.
Their 23-year-old daughter, Danielle, is stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in Bremerton, Wash., as a master at arms. Danielle, a Navy petty officer third class who is a 1996 graduate of Lawrence High School, is completing her fourth year in the armed forces.
For several Five Towns families, like the DeSimones, these are tense times. Their children could be deployed to the region any moment in the U.S. government's quest to find Osama bin Laden, who is suspected of masterminding the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, which killed thousands.
Mr. DeSimone said although they worry about Danielle's safety, they still support her choice to join the armed services and the White House decision to go to war against terrorism.
You're always concerned,he said. The worry is always in the back of your mind. But she's doing what she has to do for her country.
He said bin Laden must be stopped now or in about 10 to 15 years he could become another Hitler.
This is being done for our children and our grandchildren,he said of the war effort. We've got to do it now.
Danielle's enlistment expires in May and she has re-enlisted for another four years because she is determined to become a part of the war and to help end terrorism. I'm sure she's willing,Mr. DeSimone said. I'm sure she will be very careful and keep her head up. She's got to do what she's got to do.
As a master at arms, she is a member of the Navy police, providing security aboard the ship. Earlier this year, the aircraft carrier returned from a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean and Arabian Gulf, supporting U.N. sanctions of no-fly interception operations.
Whatever she does, I'll be proud of her,Mr. DeSimone said. But as a parent, you're always worried because the thought of whether she will be safe is always in the back of your mind.
Danielle told her parents recently that the worst part of being deployed is that she will be away from her family for a long period. Before, she was able to visit them once a year.
Mr. DeSimone said his son, Joe, 28, who lives in California, has also indicated that he would like to join the war effort. He's thinking about it, definitely,he said.
We're both behind our children 100 percent, no matter what goes on,said Ms. DeSimone. This is their choice. I'm constantly worried but you have to say a little prayer for [Danielle] and hope for the best. I'm very proud of her.
She said that she hopes the war is a very quick one, rather than a long drawn-out battle as many military experts have predicted. The U.S. has said it intends to flush out bin Laden as well as the Taliban, the fundamentalist Muslim group believed to be harboring him. The U.S. said it will go after other terror groups as well.
Alberto A. Bazalar of Cedarhurst is a Marine Corps private with the 2nd Radio Battalion, which is based in Lejeune, N.C. Also a Lawrence High School graduate, he joined the Marine Corps last November.
I hope he takes care of himself,said his brother, Joel, a Lawrence High School senior. I am worried about him. He might get killed. I will pray for him. if he is told to go there [Afghanistan], then he has to respect that. I just want him alive. My mother wants him alive. We all want him alive. We all worry about him, all my aunts and everyone.
Diane Johnson, Lawrence High School's director of guidance and support services, said she has not seen an increase in the number of students wanting to sign up for armed services. What I'm hearing is that kids are fearful that there will be a draft,she said. They are worried about going to war.
She said between three and five seniors per year decide on a career in the military.
Madelynn Schwarz, chairperson of the Hewlett High School counseling department, also said the school has not received any recent requests by students interested in the armed forces. She said 98 percent of the seniors at the school opt for college. The last graduate to enter the military is Martin Stamile two years ago and he has been assigned to the USS Enterprise stationed in the Persian Gulf. We're very proud of Martin,Schwarz said.
