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They won't be home for Christmas
Not this year. Clint and Sue, both U.S. Army officers and Blackhawk helicopter pilots, will be waiting for old Santa and his sleigh to come chugging across the desert sands of Iraq this Christmas morning. With luck, Santa will find the couple snuggled by the same fireplace, but that's not a given because they are stationed in two different towns, and the needs of the army will determine whether they spend Christmas together or not. One thing is for sure, neither Clint nor Sue have lost their Christmas spirit. Last month when Dennis and Leslie Woody, Clint's parents, were trying to find out what the military couple wanted for Christmas, they were told they could use Christmas gifts for the men and women who served in their units, some of whom might not be getting much. The message went out around Hayesville, where collections were made a various churches, school offices and businesses. Dennis said the response was overwhelming. Lots of small items were collected and sent to Clint and Sue to pass on to the troops. Items such as razors, remote control cars, chap stick, dart boards, chewing gum, just to mention a few things. The Woody's have a 15 month tour in Iraq, which started last July. Among their duties have been to transport VIP's throughout the war zone. Recently, Clint has been made Pilot in Command and will be transporting combat troops from base camps to hot spots throughout the area. Dennis said the family stays in touch with Clint and Sue be e-mail and by phone; however, the young couple have given up much of their call-time to their troops, so most of the communication is by e-mail, and letters which Sue has been so good about writing to the Woody's. They really don't have much time to communicate with us, Dennis said, because they are so busy working 14 to 16 hour days. While the weather in Iraq is currently moderate, it had been extremely hot, earlier. Up to 130 degrees. Dennis said Clint and Sue have been married about three years, shortly after they fin- ished flight school. She is from a small town in Connecticut, and they have known each other since their West Point days. Clint told Dennis that they "are well trained and feel like they are making a difference," in Iraq. "They are both level-headed and take things seriously," Dennis said. Clint's grandmother, Joanne Woody, calls them "two special people. Clint has always been special, considerate and kind," she said. "They called Clarence, Clint's grandfather, on his birthday on November 14. It tickled him to death. And Sue is very good about writing. I don't know how she finds the time to do it, but she's just regular folks. Like people here," she said.
While Clint and Sue won't be spending Christmas in Hayesville, they will be in the hearts of many folks, here, this Christmas season and for the remainder of their tour in Iraq. And we suspect old Santa will have them very much in mind this year, also, as he makes his flight around the world on Christmas eve. Perhaps, he'll see a couple of Blackhawk helicopters out front leading the way during this difficult time for our country and Iraq. If he does, there's a good chance Clint and Sue will be in the pilot seats.
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