thedrifter
06-26-06, 03:44 AM
At 51, Ohio dad prepares to join son on duty in Iraq
Sunday, June 25, 2006
TOLEDO (AP) — A man who retired from the Army Reserves seven years ago has been recalled to active duty in Iraq, where a son is serving with the Marines.
His 21-year-old son extended his tour of duty for six months, partly for the chance to serve with his father.
"I am pumped for dad to be activated," Cpl. Paul Skulas said via e-mail.
Maj. Ron Skulas, 51, said he was surprised when the Army notified him in April that he was being called to serve. He volunteered for active duty shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack but was declined. This time, Skulas said he could have protested but chose not to.
"How can I turn down a request to go over there when my son’s over there?" he asked. "It’s like saying, ‘I’m too good to go over there, and you’re expendable.’ No way."
Skulas, of Sylvania, expects to arrive in Iraq in January.
Paul Skulas is a rescue firefighter at Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq. His father doesn’t know where he will be stationed, but his job will involve training Iraqi forces.
"I’ll see him off-duty time, give him a big hug and kiss when I see him, but he’s got his mission, and I’ve got mine," he said.
Ellie
Sunday, June 25, 2006
TOLEDO (AP) — A man who retired from the Army Reserves seven years ago has been recalled to active duty in Iraq, where a son is serving with the Marines.
His 21-year-old son extended his tour of duty for six months, partly for the chance to serve with his father.
"I am pumped for dad to be activated," Cpl. Paul Skulas said via e-mail.
Maj. Ron Skulas, 51, said he was surprised when the Army notified him in April that he was being called to serve. He volunteered for active duty shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack but was declined. This time, Skulas said he could have protested but chose not to.
"How can I turn down a request to go over there when my son’s over there?" he asked. "It’s like saying, ‘I’m too good to go over there, and you’re expendable.’ No way."
Skulas, of Sylvania, expects to arrive in Iraq in January.
Paul Skulas is a rescue firefighter at Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq. His father doesn’t know where he will be stationed, but his job will involve training Iraqi forces.
"I’ll see him off-duty time, give him a big hug and kiss when I see him, but he’s got his mission, and I’ve got mine," he said.
Ellie