THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM Specialist Jason Hernould (US Army) and I am a proud Jamaican. I left for the United States when I was 17 years old and am now 24.
I have a son and a beautiful wife who have never been to my wonderful homeland, and it is the promise that I made to her when I was leaving for war in Iraq to bring them there to meet my family and friends, that is keeping me alive.
I left Jamaica when things were just getting nice in my life, I was playing Manning Cup for Ardenne, hanging out at the malls and doing all the stuff young people were doing, just enjoying life.
Since I left for the U.S., I have realised how much I miss my little paradise. I am in law school as I joined the army for educational benefits but I have not had a chance to use them because for the last two years I have been fighting for my new country (for my wife and son and father who served in Vietnam).
It is hard being an American male expected to fight, but it is even harder being a Jamaican away from her blessed shores.
I write this letter for all Jamerican soldiers fighting in this war (there are a lot of us wishing that we were home).
And, I for one, will be on a plane as soon as I return from Iraq for I know there is only one place for me it is Kingston 10, Jamaica
I am, etc,
JASON HERNOULD
jahsassafras@aol.com
20 Marshal Street
Irvington, NJ
