Worley talks to students about impending deployment

MEDIC ON THE MOVE - PFC Stephanie Worley visits with students in Kay Welch's kindergarten class last week. Worley, a U.S. Army medic, is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq in early March. (Staff photo by Cerise Merritt)

Private First Class Stephanie Worley celebrated a homecoming of sorts last week when she visited Dalton Early Childhood Center to address her nephew's kindergarten class.

While sharing thoughts about her future deployment to Iraq, the U.S. Army medic took time to remember her roots.

"I went to kindergarten just two doors down from here," Worley, the daughter of Don and Dee Worley, told Kay Welch's students.

Worley's mother also taught for more than 25 years in the same classroom where her daughter spoke Wednesday.

Worley graduated from Uvalde High School in 2000. She attended Southwest Texas Junior College, San Antonio College and the Art Institute of Dallas before joining the Army in May 2003.

She is currently based at Fort Hood and expects to leave for Iraq any time. She will be stationed there for at least a year.

Brandon Moore, Stephanie's nephew, invited her to talk to his class about her pending travels. Moore had obviously shared other information about his Aunt Stephanie with classmates, as she entered the room to a chorus of stage whispers on the theme of, "Ooooooh! She is beautiful, Brandon!"

The class seemed to be equally impressed by Worley's job.

"We're there to provide medical help to anyone who needs us," she explained. "We give care to the Iraqis, especially the children, as well as to our troops.

"My particular job is to be an ambulance driver. But over there, it's a lot harder than here. Here, when someone calls an ambulance they can tell you right where they are. But in the desert, it's like a giant game of Hide and Seek."

Worley asked the students to help support the troops overseas by sending cards and letters.

"A number of the soldiers that are on base with me don't have any family," she said. "I told them I was going to speak to the class and they said how much they'd enjoy hearing from anyone at all back home."

Worley said she isn't sure exactly where she will be located. She will be attached to 44th Medical Brigade, which is part of the 13th COSCOM, or Corps Support Command, out of Fort Hood.

"We're going to be hopping from place to place," she said. "If people want to get in touch with me, the best way would be to contact my parents and ask for my most current address."