Marine Pvt. 1st Class Scott Leonard of Sweet Home was mobilized with his unit early after terrorist attacks on the United States last week, according to his parents.
“He called us Tuesday morning about 7:30 and said they were going on military alert and didn’t know when he could call us again,” his mother, Sandy Leonard, said. He called in the middle of the night later on but was unable to give his location but he was in battle gear.
He is based in Okinawa, Japan. He is an armorer, taking care of guns and small armors, repairing and issuing them.
Calling home for five minutes cost $20.
Pvt. Leonard’s father, Joe Leonard, a Vietnam veteran, was camping with his younger sisters when Mrs. Leonard received the phone call about the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.
“His reaction is we cannot let this go on,” Mrs. Leonard said. “He’s proud his son is in the Marine’s, that he’s ready to go.”
While proud of Pvt. Leonard, 22, the family is still a “little uneasy” to know that so many ground troops may be sent in, Mrs. Leonard said. Still, the soldiers are ready if needed.
“When he first called me, you could hear in the background,” Mrs. Leonard said. “They were hot and yelling. They were going to go kill them all.”
The Muslims in her son’s unit were ready to fight for the United States as well, ready to give their lives defending the nation, Mrs. Leonard said. “This is such an outrage. We can’t let this go on.”
Pvt. Leonard’s eight brothers and sisters are keeping up with the events as they unfold on the radio, Mrs. Leonard said. “We’re a very patriotic family. We’ve had special family prayers. Any word from Scott, they want to hear over and over.”
Her next oldest son, Jeff, 20, was ready to enlist as well, Mrs. Leonard said, but Pvt. Leonard said “tell him not to. I’m fighting for the family here.”
Pvt. Leonard completed his GED in 1997 at Linn-Benton Community College. He attended college for a year and worked in construction. He entered the Marine Corps in 2000. He was stationed in Okinawa in July.
At this point, the troops themselves are speculating about what they will be doing, Mrs. Leonard said. Even with the uncertainty, “we’re proud to have a son in the Marines who’s willing to fight for his country.”