March 25, 2003
Son is a 'Champ' in his dad's eyes By By NORA K. WALLACE Navy Seaman Trevor Trieger has the "Champ" on his side as he sails toward the Persian Gulf. The "Champ" is the nickname of the USS Lake Champlain, CG 57, a missile cruiser stationed in San Diego. The 22-year-old seaman and his crew steamed out of port last week, headed to the Persian Gulf. A graduate of Ventura High School, Seaman Trieger was born in Santa Barbara. His father, Jan Trieger, lives and works on the South Coast, while his mother, Pamela Palmer, lives in Ojai. "As his dad, I'm concerned for him, as with all the troops now that we're involved in actual combat," said Mr. Trieger, who works at The Chandlery in Santa Barbara's harbor. He finds some comfort, he said, because his son's cruiser is part of the USS John C. Stennis battle group. "They're well protected," Mr. Trieger said. "It's the guys on the ground who will bear the brunt of it. He's on a ship. It's not like Iraq has a navy to go toe-to-toe. He'll get through this OK." Mr. Trieger describes Trevor as a "good, regular kid," who liked to ride dirt bikes, surf and play baseball as he grew up. It is not the sailor's first time in a tense situation. He was also part of Operation Enduring Freedom after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. During that deployment, Seaman Trieger was stationed in the Arabian Sea for about six months. Though he's a fire damage controlman, Seaman Trieger is also trained in search and rescue. He and others boarded ships and searched for Taliban soldiers. Mr. Trieger was able to talk to his son the day before the ship left port last week. He doesn't expect much more news for some time. "Once they are on the ship and depart, it's pretty much locked down," Mr. Trieger said. "We're on wartime footing... Once they go, they're busy. It keeps them occupied." The young sailor is almost finished with his four-year hitch and plans to stay in the Navy, his father said. He hopes to enter into a year-long explosive ordnance disposal school. Mr. Trieger was drafted in 1972, but an eye problem kept him from service. He's proud that his son has chosen the military path. "He's doing something I would have liked to have done," Mr. Trieger said. "He's been around the world once already. He's doing a great thing. I'm really proud of him. He has his head screwed on right compared to some 22-year-olds you see on the street now." Still, having a son heading into a war zone is bittersweet, he admitted. "I'm happy, but they're the guys in harm's way," Mr. Trieger said. "All those peace protesters; it's guys like those in uniform in the front lines making it OK for the protesters to do that. "Somebody's got to do it. I'm really proud of him." |
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