Newport soldier gets boots wet

June Casagrande

Iraq may have been the last place 1st Lt. Ryan T. Williams thought

he’d end up. When he graduated from West Point in 2001, the former

Corona del Mar cross-country runner and member of the Corona del Mar

High Class of 1997 requested a position in Germany.

Stationed in the city of Vilseck, near Nuremberg, Williams watched

as the war in Iraq grew from a distant concept into an explosive

reality. But it was too late for the eager young career officer to

get in on the action, mother Erika Williams said. His German

assignment in charge of four Bradley fighting vehicles and 36

soldiers was solid.

Then, just a few weeks ago, Erika got an e-mail from her son

saying that his 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed “the Big Red One,”

might be sent to Kirkuk, Iraq, to provide backup to the 173rd

Division that had to be deployed out of Italy because Turkey had

refused to allow the troops ground access to Iraq.

For about 10 days, his e-mails home included the caveat that soon

his e-mails would probably stop. And that would mean he was in Iraq.

“I knew he was there because I stopped getting e-mails,” Erika

said, adding that she believes he arrived in Iraq on Monday. “And

then, the other day, I had a sighting. I saw him in some of the news

footage on TV of soldiers in Iraq.

“I had a tape in the VCR and I managed to get it on tape,” she

said. “It was exciting. He was all neat in his pressed uniform --

they all looked new because they just got there. He looked happy and

eager to do what he had to do.”

Erika said it’s not likely she’ll be in touch with her son anytime

soon. She estimates that it could be anywhere from six weeks to six

months before Ryan, now 23, returns to Germany to enjoy luxuries such

as e-mail. In the meantime, she’s sending care packages -- toiletries

mostly, especially moistened towelettes to ease the discomfort of not

having showers.

“We can’t even be sure he’ll get them, but you have to try,” she

said.

Though it’s natural for a parent to worry, Erika said that the

family is supportive. If Ryan is happy to be there, then the Williams

are happy he’s there.

“I know he was anxious to get his boots on the ground. This is his

career,” Erika said. “We’re proud of what he’s doing and we certainly

support the war. This is his career, and you have to be happy for

your kids: Just hope for the best, because this is what he wants. We

just say our prayers for him.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].