Pfc. Chris Short’s fellow soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division were responsible for the capture of Saddam Hussein.
By: Linda Seida
STOCKTON He’s not much taller than 5½ feet, give or take, but Monday night Army Pfc. Chris Short was treated like the biggest man in town, if not the entire state, as family, friends, neighbors and religious and political leaders gathered to honor him.
A congressman and a senator turned out to convey their regard to the 20-year-old soldier from the 4th Infantry Division. Some of Pfc. Short’s fellow soldiers in the division’s 3rd Brigade, 1st Platoon, 8th Regiment, were responsible for the capture of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in December. Thirteen men from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8390 in Delaware Township, marched to the front of the room to salute him before lining up single file to shake his hand. A little girl, composition book in hand, later asked for his autograph.
His modesty evident, Pfc. Short did not sign his own name.
Instead he wrote, "To Lydia, from the soldiers fighting the war on terrorism."
More than 75 residents of Stockton and Delaware Township left their homes that rainy night to join together in the Stockton Fire Company on Mill Street. The event was held immediately following the Borough Council’s reorganization meeting.
Pfc. Short, a resident of Paulmier Road in Delaware Township for four months, was a man of few words and little expression as he listened to politicians, his father and others praise his dedication to defending his country. Truth be told, he appeared uncomfortable with all the attention.
But as the evening broke up, a white-haired gentleman wearing a VFW hat and a long overcoat stopped him just before he made his exit. The young soldier, patient every second, his first smile of the evening curving his lips, leaned in close to hear whatever advice the elder vet wanted to impart.
Mayor Gregg Rackin, who organized the evening for Pfc. Short and his parents, Paul and Kathy Short of Delaware Township, noted the appropriateness of honoring a defender of freedom on the same night when elected officials take their oaths of office, especially in a municipality where a tie vote between two candidates resulted in a special election Dec. 30.
"It dawned on me how special and precious our democratic freedoms are," Mayor Rackin said. "Sometimes we take those freedoms for granted."
Congressman Rush Holt noted Stockton is a "civic-minded town" where recent voter turnout approached 90 percent.
"This is a town that values what Chris and others are fighting for," including freedom and the right to vote, he said.
Congressman Holt asked Pfc. Short to "carry back to the soldiers the appreciation of the people of central New Jersey and the hopes and prayers that all of you will be successful soon and return home safely."
The soldiers who defend our freedoms are prayed for daily by all religious denominations, said the Rev. Gregory Faulkner of Stockton Presbyterian Church.
He recently received an e-mail from an old school friend who is Kuwaiti by birth and whose mother is Iraqi.
Because of our soldiers’ capture of Saddam, "They are rejoicing in Kuwait, in his family and in his neighborhood," the Rev. Faulkner said. "He assured me, in his mosque, they pray for the safety of our troops."
Sen. Leonard Lance presented a citation from the New Jersey Senate to Pfc. Short.
"It’s only a piece of paper on which words have been printed," Sen. Lance said. "The piece of paper signifies what is in our hearts. My profound thanks to you and our troops throughout the world, for you are on the frontline."
"This is a very moving time for us, as you can imagine," said Paul Short. "Because of his frontline objectives, we don’t get to hear much from Chris, so we relish every point of contact."
One brief but bright moment of contact occurred Dec. 25 when Mr. Short received a call on his cell phone from his son. The connection was not good, but it was sufficient to allow him to hear Chris calling from Iraq.
"Dad, what do you want for Christmas?" he asked.
He replied his wish was to have his son home and safe. His son’s words made that wish come true; Pfc. Short was on his way home with a two-week pass.
Pfc. Short arrived home on New Year’s Day.
"It was a Christmas gift I could not have dreamed of, could not have imagined," Mr. Short said.
The special gathering Monday to recognize the local soldier’s efforts will have long-lasting effects half a world away, Mr. Short said.
"I think they get isolated," he said of the troops overseas. "I think this will resonate with Chris, and he’ll be able to take back that message."
"It’s heartwarming to know there’s support here at home," Pfc. Short said. "Many times we feel removed and isolated. The message tonight will be received by my fellow soldiers."