Patriotism runs in the family

I knew I wanted to be in the military and wanted to serve my country.

Jill Whitlock, center, and her husband, Charles Whitlock, back left, are both registered nurses and 1st Lts. in the U.S. Army Reserves. Her children, from left front, Joshua Ackles, in Navy construction with the U.S. Navy Reserves, Jocelyn Ackles, Airman in the U.S. Air Force, and Jason Ackles, specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves, all felt the pull to serve their country.

Jill Whitlock served in the U.S. Army 20 years ago. She later attended nursing school and the thought that she would pursue further military service through the U.S. Army Reserves was always in the back of her mind.

After viewing the demise of the twin towers in New York City in 2001 and then completing nursing school in 2003, she had the extra impetus she needed - to just do it.

“And I knew I had something to offer that is really needed in Iraq – and that’s medical training,” Whitlock said. “I feel that I have skills that can help save lives.”

She has been working for the last year and a half as a registered nurse with Home Health Care at St. Anthony’s Health Center and will soon be taking leave for Iraq.

Her husband, Charles, also an R.N., is in the same medical unit and will also be heading for Iraq. He was most recently working in Home Health Care for BJC Healthcare.

“We want to go to help the young soldiers that are there,” Charles said. “They need people to take care of them, and we think it’s our responsibility to help where we can.”

“We’re a little nervous about going, but it does make it easier that we are going together,” Jill added.

Jill’s son, Joshua Ackles, 21, who is in Navy construction with the U.S. Navy Reserves, is set to serve a nine-month tour in Iraq. He plans to resume classes at Southern Illinois University Carbondale upon his return.

“I had about one month’s warning,” Joshua said. “So I cancelled my classes and got ready to go.” Daughter Jocelyn, 18, is a full-time Airman in the U.S. Air Force, who is also set to leave for Iraq on the 9th of this month.

Son Jason, 20, started the family military surge when he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. “I knew I wanted to be in the military and wanted to serve my country,” Jason said.

Jill also has another son, Jared, 17, who will be staying with his grandparents and finishing his senior year in high school while his mother, stepfather and siblings are away.

The family agreed that they believe serving in the military is a very reputable thing to do, and as for Jill’s children – it gives them all a good start on life.

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Jocelyn said.

- VICKI BENNINGTON 7/3/2007