Why I Serve-PFC Richard Abrams-US Army

Keep smashing those cheeseburgers in your face Michael Moore
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By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2004 -- "I joined the Army not only to
serve this country,
but because I had an obligation to my family," said Army
Pfc. Richard Abrams.

"I have to be honest, joining the Army was a way to provide
for my family, help
out my country, and to really build a good long-term
career."

"I give the Army what they ask of me, and they take care of
me. It's a win-win
situation for everybody, honestly."

About a year ago, the Army put Abrams, a food-service
specialist, on compassion
reassignment, relocating his wife and two sons, to Fort
Myer, Va., from duty in
the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. He said that
unit came down on
deployment orders for Iraq.

The move brought the family closer to Walter Reed Army
Medical Center in
Washington where his oldest son, Charles, 6, could get
specialized treatment
for a variety of mental disorders, which Abrams described
as "lifelong."

While his son goes through treatment here, Abrams said he
often thinks of his
comrades in his old 10th Mountain Division unit and tries
to keep up with
friends in Iraq through e-mail.

"They haven't said much, other than it's hot and dry," he
said. "It seems like
over there cooks are not doing as much of the cooking as
they are running other
errands."

Abrams said that if the Army calls him to rejoin his unit,
he is prepared to do
so. He said the Army will take care of his family.

"I know the military has got services there so that my wife
and kids will be
supported if I'm needed to go, which honestly makes me a
lot more comfortable,"
he said. "I know there are enough support services in the
system."

Abrams said that the support the Army has provided for him
and his family is
one of the things he appreciates most about serving in the
military.

And it's also why he said that he is proud to serve. "The
Army has helped me
out tremendously," he said.