Gloria Whitford talks about her life since 9-11 as a the spouse of an Army Reserve Soldier.
Gloria Whitford is the wife of Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Whitford. He is a New York City police detective, whose brother was killed on 9-11 inside Tower Two when it collapsed. Whitford deployed to Afghanistan in 2001, where he worked with the 10th Mountain Division.
Gloria tells about the challenges of an Army Reserve spouse, and has advice for others who are separated by deployment.
Read her story in her own words:
9-11 as a police offcer’s wife
We live 60 miles from NYC and it was a beautiful day the kids had just gone back to school. I got a call from my sister-in-law, Mark’s wife at the time. She wanted to know if Chris had heard from his brother. We tried to establish communications to see where everybody was. It was so fast and the schools up there even released the kids from school that day. I didn’t hear for hours from him. I didn’t know what to do or what to expect.
Mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan
I felt confused, upset I felt abandoned to some point because we had moved there a year ago and it was so different from Staten Island. I had to do everything by myself and explain to me son we have to wait until dad comes home. It was tough and I knew he would come back and I knew he had to do it. It made me realize how important it is to have people like my husband to be able to do these kinds of missions.
Back then there was not so much communication. There was a little bit of email but not too much. It was more like snail mail. I was just there (in a non-military community). There was support from the precinct but not much from the military side.
Sharing the experience
You realize there are more junior families out there that can benefit from my experience. I had the opportunity to go to a senior spouse seminar and I feel that I benefited from it and I feel that I want to do more in that aspect.
You have to roll with the punches. He (my son) had to go to school and I had to go to work.
Reflections since 9-11
Over the years I got more involved with the military. I understand the aspects of the mission he has to do. I’m more open to it. I’m more supportive and I have more resources now so I feel more comfortable.
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