By TONY GERMANOTTA, The Virginian-Pilot
© April 15, 2003
Last updated 3:56 AM Apr. 15
NORFOLK – The questions were finished, the dignitaries ready to leave, when one of the Navy ombudswomen rushed over to embrace Pamela Thacker, whose son was one of the seven American POWs rescued in Iraq on Sunday.
“Seeing him come home,” the woman, who has a husband, son and son-in-law deployed in the war, told Thacker, “it was like part of my own family. We’re so thrilled.”
Thacker, a Chesapeake detective, was asked to come to a meeting Monday between a group of Navy wives and U.S. Sen. John W. Warner, Navy Secretary Hansford T. Johnson and Atlantic Fleet commander Adm. Robert J. Natter.
Warner introduced Thacker, who described as “horrific times” the weeks of uncertainty after her son, Chief Warrant Officer David S. Williams Jr., was taken captive when his helicopter was shot down.
Thacker then thanked the eight women, who represented a range of ships on station in the battle. “You all are giving of yourselves, your loved ones,” Thacker said. “I am happy to be a part of it.”
Adm. Natter opened the meeting broaching the question on everyone’s mind: When are they coming back?
“I think sooner than I would have expected,” Natter said. But there were no hard dates, only a promise that good news might be just days away for some families.
