Zuni family
shocked at photo of son in Iraq
The family of Marine Sgt. Gerald Hooee gather around the images of the
Marine that have appreared recently in the press Thursday at Hooee's home
in Zuni. (Photo by Craig Robinson/Independent)
Pamela G. Dempsey
Staff Writer
ZUNI — Gerald Hooee Jr.'s picture did more than show
the world how he and his comrades were getting along in Iraq, it gave
his parents
a big surprise.
"It was a shock," said Gerald Hooee Sr., his father. "I was sitting
at work and something was bugging me to check the news."
Hooee Sr. pulled up the CNN website last week and saw a photo of his son standing
on a truck in Iraq with his hands around a gun. Although the caption did not
name the soldier in the photograph, Hooee Sr. knew it was his son.
"I knew he was in Baghdad," Hooee Sr. said.
Hooee Sr. rushed home to his wife, photo in hand.
"I thought something bad had happened to him," said Orina Hooee. "We
weren't really that worried, but it just hit home when we saw it."
And then another photo surfaced; as the caption confirmed this time, Hooee Jr.
was lying on the ground rubbing his eyes.
"It feels weird," said his brother, Jeremy Hooee, "knowing he's
over there and knowing he's being shot at."
Some of the family's friends and relatives misunderstood the photos and came
over to comfort the family. Hooee Sr. said he and his wife couldn't sleep after
seeing the photos, knowing his son was in the front lines.
"He wouldn't be there if he didn't trust the people he was with," said
Hooee Jr.'s father.
The photos now can be seen on screen-savers in Zuni tribal offices, school computers,
and walls of family and friends. While his parents know their son is O.K. for
now, it doesn't stop the tears whenever they talk about him.
"It's terrifying," said his mother.
Hooee Jr. is on his second tour. His last visit home to his family, his wife,
and son was in November and he is expected to come back for a visit in July.
His brother, Jeremy, who is leaving for the service in June, wears a button from
one of Hooee Jr.'s jackets around his neck.
"He's doing his job," said Gayle Simplico, Hooee Jr.'s aunt.
|
April
16, 2004
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|
