My next duty station after Korea was Ft Riley Kansas. There was another girl that was in-processing with me. Her name was Ellen. Ft Riley was her first duty station after training. She had such a great bubbly personality. She always thought positive of all situations.
As we both started settling into the routine of this new duty station Ellen
One night I was getting ready for bed and there was a loud pounding knock at my door. I was a little weary to answer the door but I did. I opened the door and on the other side stood Ellen who was hysterically crying. I was a little confused and very much concerned.
After she calmed down a little bit she explained that she was over at Kroy’s barracks hanging out. He started making moves on her and she kept telling him no. But he continued to force himself on her. She said the words
I don’t remember exactly what I did. But I do remember hugging her. After that night it was never mentioned again.
I honestly had forgotten about that night. The memory came back to me after talking to another battle buddy who knew Ellen also. We were wondering how she was doing. Not much else was mentioned in that conversation.
But the memory of Ellen brought up the memory of that night and what she told me. I began to feel guilty that I did nothing for her that night. I did not validate her, help her figure out her options.
But this rape that Ellen had confided in me about was about 5 months after the gang rape. So I had not even admitted to anyone about the gang rape. Or even coming to grips of what had happened to me.
I can sit here doing the Would’ve/Could’ve/Should’ve all night. But the reality is I could not help Ellen because I had not even realized how to help myself.
I do pray for Ellen and hope that she too was able to go down the journey to healing.
To GOD Be The GLORY
