ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 3, 1997 TAG: 9702030103
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.
SOURCE: Associated Press
PERHAPS IT'S THEIR military background that gives mom and dad confidence she'll be OK.
The parents of one of the two remaining female Citadel cadets say their daughter has never complained of being mistreated and they have no worries for her safety.
``My concern was that she would receive no more and no less treatment than the male plebes get,'' said Nancy Mace's father, retired Brig. Gen. Emory Mace. ``And to this day, that is exactly what she got. She got her fair share of the knob-plebe system.''
Mace, a Citadel graduate, and his wife, Anne, spoke to reporters on campus after their daughter received a gold star for academic achievement during a Friday afternoon parade.
They said their daughter, who has refused most media interviews since she decided to enroll at the military college, still does not want to meet with reporters.
``Her mission is to be seen and not heard,'' Emory Mace said.
Two female cadets, Jeanie Mentavlos and Kim Messer, did not return this semester, saying they were sexually harassed and had their clothes set afire.
Ten cadets face disciplinary action; another has resigned from the college. The state and the FBI are investigating.
Anne Mace, who has another daughter who graduated from West Point, said Nancy was always taught to report something that is wrong.
``Had something untoward or inappropriate happened to her, she would be very mindful and would have reported it appropriately,'' Anne Mace said.
She would not comment on what her daughter thought of the allegations, but said:
``My mother used to say there are three sides to every story - your side, my side and the reality somewhere in between. Perhaps you have a dose of that here.''
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