Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 19, 1991 TAG: 9102190329
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Allison is a blue-eyed, blonde fourth-grader at Harding Avenue Elementary School in Blacksburg.
Ruth Lacy, her teacher, says the 9 1/2-year-old is an excellent student. But a recent writing assignment gave her some trouble.
Lacy asked the class to write a poem about "why America is special." Allison wanted to write about her father, U.S. Army Capt. David Laine, an instructor with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
Unable to find a way to write her father into the class assignment, Allison decided to write two poems.
She said she loves her father very much. "He'll do stuff with my brother and sister; he'll take us out to eat," she said. "He's just like a regular dad."
Allison's eyes twinkle and she smiles brightly when asked which of her parents she most resembles.
"My dad," she beams.
Allison said her father has been on her mind a lot lately. She worries that a bloody conflict being fought by the parents of other Army brats in the deserts of the Middle East might take him away from her.
"The Middle East had concerned me," she said. "I was afraid he might have to go over there."
Allison said she talked about her fears with her mom, her teachers and her guidance counselor at school.
"We talk about there's a big possibility he might have to go over there . . . and I might not see him for a long time . . . and a small possibility he might go over there and won't come back."
"She's real concerned and tries to keep up to date with all the war news," Beth Laine said of her daughter.
Allison said she talked with her dad about the war, too. But, she said, "I didn't really want him to know I'm really concerned, because that might hurt him."
"I just try to keep her abreast of what's going on," David Laine said. He tells Allison he has been trained as a soldier and the family has to be prepared if he is sent to war.
The Laines are native Virginians and Virginia Tech graduates. They have two other children besides Allison.
David Laine has been in the Army almost 12 years and anticipates his next assignment will be to the Army's command and general staff college at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The Army has told him the chances are slim he will be sent to the Middle East, but anything could happen, he said.
Until this year, Allison said, her favorite subject has been math. Now it's history. She likes to read about Virginia, she said.
"I guess I like to write, if what I'm thinking is fun to write," Allison said.
The poem she wrote for her father goes like this:
I am an Army brat, and I am very proud of that.
My dad has served 11 years. He is so brave; he has no fears.
His job is to protect this land of ours from mean dictators and unjust powers.
But now that America is at war, It makes my heart very sore
to think that my dad might have to go. The days go by very slow.
Dad, you are the very best, And if they put you to the test,
I know you'll come home safe and sound. My heart is with you wherever you're bound.
I love you, Dad."
by CNB