Some Bradford residents probably remember young Samantha Lynn
Hackett as a dancer with the Peggy Johnson Dance Studio. She began
taking dance lessons at the age of three and continued taking them
until she enlisted in the military two years ago.

Now, Hackett, 19,ðis no longer performing at dance shows with
such routines asðjazz, ballet and tap.ðInstead, she’s serving in
military operations in Iraq.

A 2004 graduate of Bradford Area High School, she traveled to
South Carolina for basic training at the age of 18 and was then
shipped off to foreign lands with the Kane Unit of the National
Guard shortly after.

“I think it’s a scary thing (for her to be serving overseas),”
her mother, Bonnie Abrams of Bradford, said.

Abrams said that her daughter “felt (feels) everyone should want
to defend” the country and “help in some way” to protectðit.

This Thanksgiving was difficult for both Abrams and Hackett.

“I knew that she would be sad (by not celebrating the holiday
with them) because she loves the times we get together with
family,” Abrams said. She also said that her daughter cried a
little at not being able to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

To help remedy that, Hackett’s grandmother, Betty Parks of
Emporium, sent her a Christmas tree and decorations, a small treat
to let her know people do care about her.

“(She is) important in my life,” Parks said.

Samantha Hackett’s inspiration to join the military came from
herðbrother, Keith Hackett, 24, who is a past servicemen.ðHer
grandfather, James Tronetti, served in the Korean War.

She drives Convoy trucks with five other girls in Iraq where
they deliver “supplies from base to base.” Abrams said that most of
the “missions” take place at night because the Iraqi insurgents
aren’t allowed to be outðduring that time.

Prayer is what the five girls do before “every mission,” a
letter that the soldier sent to Parks said.

“(I) called the angels of Heaven to be around her,” Parks said.
“I’ve given her to Jesus (for protection and safety).”ð

Hackett didn’t live a normal childhood life, other than the fact
that she enjoyed running and liked to read and write. Her father,
Dicky Hackett, died before she was born.ððððð

“It was hard at times, raising a child on my own,” Abrams said.
“I wouldn’t go back and change one thing if I could, except the
fact that her father that passed away.”

Abrams said that if her biological father could see Samantha
now, he would think she is “beautiful, loving and caring.”ð

“I had a lot of help with family,” she said. “And Jason
(Abrams)ðhas been a wonderful stepfather.”

Hackett believes that she can get through the dayðwith a little
faith. Her motherðsaid that she praysðquite often. “She is real
strong in that (area),”ðAbrams said.

At the Foursquare Gospel Church on Sullivan Road, Abrams and
Hackett collected boxes for children from other countries who
weren’t fortunate to have supplies.ðHer (Hackett) mom is now doing
that, but for the children in the Middle East. The project, called
Christmas in Iraq, coincides with KOA Speer Electronics Inc., and
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.

More than 200 boxes have beenðpackaged and shipped to Hackett.
At the time of arrival, she finds the time to give the supplies,
including candy and toys to one of the Marineðsergeant’s to be
given toðthe children.

Looking into the future, once her six year service with the
military is completed, Hackett has a couple of dreams she would
like to pursue.

Hackett told Parks that she wants to start a homeless children’s
shelter and become an elementary teacher. She hasn’t chosen what
college she wants to attend yet, but does have a couple of
choices.ð

When Hackett returns home in a few weeks for a 10 day vacation,
she will notice many changes.ð

“I think Sam will see that some of the kids are going to look
like they are all grown up. Her brother Tim will look a lot older,
and she will see and realize that life changes all the time,”
Abrams said.ð

Abrams and the rest of her family will “not celebrate our
Christmas this year until Sam comes home.”

“We are hoping it will be the first part of January,” Abrams
said. “She has asked us to leave the Christmas tree and lights up
until she comes home. We all are looking forward to sharing
Christmas with our ballerina soldier.” Parks echoed these same
sentiments.

For anyone who would like to contact Hackett with well wishes,
her address is PFC Hackett, Samantha, A Co 228th FSB, 2 BCT, Camp
Ramadi, APO AE 09362-9997.