Mother shares her love with all serving in Iraq

NEW YORK MILLS – If you drive by Sue Slivonik’s home on Campbell Avenue, you can’t miss the patriotic decorations.

The red, white and blue flowers, flags and wreaths are tastefully placed around the lawn and deck. A small soldier statue is nearby.

The display is a patriotic tribute to the men and women serving overseas. "I don’t want to single out just Tim, because there are so many troops out there," Slivonik said of her son, 2nd Lt. Timothy Fisher, 23, who is currently serving with the United States Army in Iraq.

But it’s clear how much Slivonik misses her only child. As she reads a letter he sent, she tears up.

"I don’t sleep well," Slivonik said. "I toss and turn. The minute I wake up, he’s on my mind."

Slivonik routinely receives comfort from her boyfriend, Dan Cozza, and Fisher’s girlfriend, Kristina Bramley, 21, of Clinton.

On Thursday afternoon, Bramley and Slivonik shared their scrapbooks, which contain pictures, as well as printed e-mails and instant messages and receipts for packages they have sent. Bramley and Slivonik said they want to remind the community about the troops who are defending the country — they fear some may forget.

"If one person can pray everyday for the safety of them, this makes it all worthwhile," Slivonik said.

Slivonik began decorating the house last spring in anticipation of Fisher’s return home for a break in June.

"I just realized how grateful I am to have him and all the other troops supporting us," she said.

Fisher, whose favorite movie is "Top Gun," had wanted to join the Army since he was in high school, his mother said. Fisher’s father served in the Army, and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks intensified his desire.

"I didn’t want him to go," Bramley said. "He was going whether I said anything or not. But he’s doing good for our country."

Fisher went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Norwich University in Vermont. He left Aug. 15 for Kuwait from his base in Hawaii. He immediately wrote home to tell his family of the 130-degree temperatures.

"It’s HOTTTT!!!," he wrote.

After training in Kuwait, he was sent to Iraq, where he leads a medical platoon. He told Slivonik the temperature is much cooler there — only a mere 100 degrees.

"He’s the first on the scene when there are any casualties," Slivonik said. "It’s their job to triage and see what level of care is needed, and (if) they need to be airlifted to Baghdad."

Read the rest at the Observor Dispatch