Page 35 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Summer 2022 - Online Magazine
P. 35
AN INVISIBLE THREAD
by Sonja Mitchell
three, our backyard served as the
arena for years of target practice.
Cardboard boxes, wooden planks,
and bottles all ended up as shreds
and shards as Trae practiced
throwing and shooting every kind
of “weapon” he could find. He
entered the Navy right after high
school graduation. Just days after
completing boot camp, Hurricane
Hugo hit South Carolina, and his
ship, the USS Sierra, deployed to
assist in clean-up, restoration, and
security. When Operation Desert
Storm commenced, 100% of our
immediate family was enlisted in
service to our country—Jack and I
with the Sheriff's Department, and
Jeff, Chrystle, and Trae in the Navy.
Officer Ralph McDougle Officer Neal Estes
My grandfather, Neal Estes, and as Air Warfare Specialists. When After Trae was discharged, he
father, Ralph McDougle, were both Josh finished college, the family was hired by the Lubbock County
Lubbock police officers. Jack is an moved to the Washington D.C. Sheriff’s Department (LSO), where
Army veteran and a veteran of LPD area, and Josh, Jamie and our great he served for 24 years. During that
and LSO, where I also served. Our granddaughter, Lila, live close by. time, he filled many positions; one
children followed us into service, Currently, Chrystle is the Section of his favorites was in the canine
and now our grandchildren are Chief for Homeland Security unit. He and Marko made many
assuming those roles. Whether it is Investigations Victim Assistant drug busts, amassing a plethora
genetics or environment, a desire to Program, where
help people binds us together like she conducts
an invisible thread. forensic
interviews and
Our daughter, Chrystle enlisted supervises over
in the Navy and trained as an Air 60 specialists.
Traffic Controller. She met and Compassion,
married Jeffery Abbott, who was experience, and
also an ATC. In 2001, Chrystle was expertise are the
stationed aboard the USS Iwo Jima foundation of her
which was so new that she is a career.
“plank holder.” The ship was sent
to New York City immediately after Our son, Jack
9/11, an experience that is forever Keith Mitchell
embedded in her memory. During III (Trae), has
a tour of duty in Iceland, our first been preparing
grandson, Joshua was born (giving for a career in
him dual citizenship.) law enforcement
from the
After 21 years, Jeff and Chrystle beginning. By
retired from exemplary careers the time he was Chrystle and Jeff Abbott
Lubbock Senior Link 35
