Letter: Gulf War article brought back memories

I was pleased that you chose to print the article concerning the 25th anniversary of the Gulf War in the Feb. 28 edition of The Gazette.

I am certainly aware of that conflict as my son, Capt. Terry Toms, led the first night strike. He flew the Navy A-6 Intruder and had 40 combat missions. The USS Midway was the only ship in Desert Storm that did not lose any aircraft or personnel.

At age 40, he was the commanding officer of Squadron VA-115 which included a 26-year-old Mark Kelly, who later became an astronaut. Terry and Mark remained friends in the ensuing years. I met Mark in 2008 when he attended Terry's memorial service at NAS Whidbey Island. Terry passed away at age 58 from a brain tumor.

My son was raised in Central City and graduated from Iowa State before his 25-year Navy career. He flew 4150 hours and had 945 carrier landings in the A-6 Intruder. After he retired from the Navy, he flew for UPS to the orient and Europe for several years until the time of his death.

Being just another proud mother, I thank you for allowing me to express myself.

Pearl Northland

Cedar Rapids