I don't own any of Ann Martin's characters. I only own the ones I make up myself. Chapter 1

Dear Mom and Richard,

Well, here I am at Fort Dum. Since my schedule has become rather strenuous before we

Leave, I can not tell you when my next letter will be. However I will try to call during a

layover. I shall try to secure a satellite phone. I wanted to let you know how much I love

you and to thank you for your support as I do this. I am going to make you proud and I

cannot wait to see you all again. Good bye.

With love, Sgt. Dawn Read Schafer.

I sealed the letter and sighed. It was difficult to write. My name is Dawn and my unit is

about to be sent to a dangerous place but still I am excited about the journey that is about

to begin. I trained hard in my five years in the Army. It was a hard decision to join, after I

graduated Berkely in Cali with my Environmental Sciences degree. Something told me to

go. I had to.

I'm originally from California and I grew up there, while living briefly in Stonybrook

Conn. I have long blonde hair, which I keep up most of the time also have blue eyes.

I'm currently single and would prefer to keep it that way for now. My old friends from

the BSC thought I would marry this man right after high school but we didn't work out.

We wanted different things. He didn't want to wait for me to come home if I got

Deployed and now that the moment is here I'm glad. And—

"Paging Sgt. Schafer! Please report to Sgt. Winn's office!"

Ah, duty calls.