As the mother of a female sailor, wounded and nearly killed, in the terrorist bombing on the USS Cole in the
Port of Yemen in 2000, I became quite absorbed in the stories of the courageous men and women who selflessly serve our nation.
Equally, I was amazed to discover that most works of literature, on the subject of military events, focused primarily on the
men who serve and their father's. This inspired me to write Standing Watch, A Journey from Fear to Courage,
a memoir that depicts the experience of a nineteen year old female sailor, and her family, as they move through a tragedy
most of us could never imagine; the loss of innocence, seventeen comrades and the journey back to courage. Similar to the
book Heart of a Hawk by Deborah H. Tainsh
Seventeen Navy sailor's were killed when two uniformed terrorists, sailed
to the side of the USS Cole, in a small boat full of explosives, and blasted a forty by forty foot hole in the hull of the
ship. This event, just short of a year later, was followed by 911, and together motivated our nation to establish Homeland
Security and my daughter, SA Kesha Stidham to return to her ship, continue to serve and protect our nation. Stidham, along
with the entire crew of the USS Cole, will always live with the memory of their lost comrades and wounded ship, but never
fail to push forward with courage.
Standing Watch is one woman's story of how her life changed when her daughter,
SA Kesha Stidham, was injured in the terrorist bombing of the U.S.S. Cole that took place on October 12, 2000.Uncertain if
her daughter was dead or alive, she gradually gained the strength to deal with her own fears and to help others in grief deal
with their losses as well. Laced with spirituality and understanding, this book traces her journey from the shadows of her
fears to the acceptance of the changes that life can bring, and how they can enrich one's life.
Confronted with
her own immortality, fear and courage young Stidham rose up, with a lion heart, to face it all. Resolving her mistrust, in
all that she thought she knew, she renews her faith in herself, her comrades, and her service to her country. Struggling with
her loss of feeling invincible and her commitment as a sailor Stidham decides to return to her service, receives the Purple
Heart, and goes on to serve six more years in the Navy. Stidham has vowed, as I have, to never forget the blast that redefined
our lives. Through Standing Watch, we honor those who gave their lives, those who kept the crippled Cole afloat, the comrades
that tended the wounded and our history.
I believe that my book "Standing Watch" would be a great book to
list on proudmilmoms.com. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
More information on the book
"Standing Watch, A Journey from Fear to Courage" at www.michelleposton.com. Book also available at Barnes and Noble.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Sincerely
Michelle Mantooth Poston, Author
