Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
                         April 12, 2002

MAILBOX

The 'West Point family'

Dear Editor:

There are events in our lives that change us forever and on April 1 something happened to the Whaley family that changed us.

Our oldest of three daughters -- Amelia, age 7 -- was severely bitten in the face by a dog. The wound required us to send her by ambulance to Westchester Medical Center where she received many stitches from plastic surgeons.

A situation like that is in itself a life-changing event, both physically and emotionally. However, our lives were also changed by the caring acts of the West Point family.

Amelia received scores of cards and letters. Her room quickly filled with flowers and stuffed animals. Visitors and well wishers came to the house. One little boy, who had never even met Amelia, used his entire allowance to buy her gifts.

Offices throughout the community sent gifts and asked many times how we all were doing. Chaplains Cook and Lindenmeyer came over to the house to offer prayers and counsel. The CWOC started a prayer chain and brought meals to the house. Principal Hansen made sure Amelia’s class understood what had happened. Amelia’s teacher, Mrs. Vazulik made sure she felt comfortable going back to school. Neighbors such as the Fountains watched our other children.

The Public Affairs Office not only sent gifts, but shared in our family’s emotions. They have seen Amelia grow up these past three years during frequent visits to the office, they are my extended family and they refused to let me get involved in work until she was better.

On the night of the injury both the Superintendent and Chief of Staff called me at the hospital to see what they could do and to offer any assistance and prayers. Even more unbelievable was the fact that the Superintendent called the Surgeon General of the Army the next morning to make sure we were getting the best care we could and to offer any help the Army could give. That is what the Army is all about.

As I sat next to my daughter before the surgery, looking at the horrible wound on my little girl, I explained to Amelia that the doctors would make her go to sleep, that she would not feel them clean the wound. I told her that they would use string to fix her face and that there would be a mark on her face for awhile. She paused and looked at me and said " Daddy it is not important what your boo boos look like, it is important how your heart is."

Amelia’s heart is as big as they get and so is the heart of our community. Thank you West Point family.