Family deals with son, son-in-law overseas Family deals with son, son-in-law overseas (November 02, 2001)

Coast-to-coast prayer chain keeps family going
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

Barbara and Steve Pittl of Pleasanton are taking it one day at a time. That's how they cope with having both a son and a son-in-law overseas in the military during these uncertain times.

Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Pittl, 19, an Amador Valley High graduate, is trained to drive light armored vehicles. Navy Lt. William Butler, 28, their son-in-law, flies rescue helicopters. Last the family heard, Anthony was in Australia on the aircraft carrier USS Essex; Billy was in Crete on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

"They're in a safe place now so we're hoping for the best," said Barbara Pittl, a fifth-grade teacher at St. Michael's in Livermore. "We're all praying for them.

"We have a support system of friends and family," she continued. "We're on a prayer chain from the East Coast with my relatives. They have their pictures on their refrigerators. They're going to light candles. That keeps me going."

Their daughter Christine Butler, 27, teaches the sixth grade in Jacksonville, Fla., while waiting for her husband to return. Her sister, Stephanie, 22, who just graduated from college, is staying with her for awhile and their parents will join them for Thanksgiving.

Steve Pittl, who works for an international semi-conductor company, remembers being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. "It was a million years ago," he said.

"When Anthony first said he was going in the Marines I went into a kind of shock, but I'm sure he made the right choice," said Steve Pittl. "Even after 9/11 he said, 'This is my choice. Even if something happens, then I gave my life for my country.'"

Both Anthony and Billy called last weekend.

"We tell them about the flags," said Barbara Pittl. "We say, 'You should see Pleasanton.'" Their other son Dan, 25, has a flag on his Pac Bell truck, she said.

"What really gets me is these demonstrations (against U.S. military actions). That's their right, but these kids are in harm's way," she said, her voice breaking.

"It was one year ago, Oct. 25, that about 20 of us were down at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego when Anthony graduated from basic training, the family and his buddies from high school," she said. "Now, one year later - oh, my gosh."

The Pittls are flying their flags and saying their prayers. And taking life one day at a time.