Days after the death of Michelle Witmer, the first woman from the Wisconsin National Guard to die in combat, her sisters Rachel and Charity say they are torn about their future service in Iraq.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rachel and Charity are with their family on a 15-day pass, but say they have a sense of duty and obligation to their fellow soldiers in Iraq.
\We are conflicted. We have two families, and we can't be with both at the same time,"" said Rachel and Charity in a prepared statement.
The family has reunited in its hometown of New Berlin, Wis. However, parents John and Lori Witmer are pleading with officials to allow their daughters to remain in the United States.
According to the Defense Department Directive, which contains all regulations set forth by the U.S. Army, if a family member dies in a hostile-fire situation, members of the same family can be removed from the combat area if they request.
Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, director of public affairs for the Wisconsin National Guard, said the women had not yet made their decision.
""We're going to wait and see what these young soldiers decide to do,"" Donovan said.
The Witmer family is not alone in its battle to keep its daughters home. The family may receive assistance from U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls.
""[Sensenbrenner] is happy to help the family in any way he can, but not until he's asked,"" said Sensenbrenner spokesperson Raj Bharwani. ""He will do his part, and then the ultimate decision will be left to the army.""
Gov. Jim Doyle has also issued his support. In a press release Tuesday, Doyle said the sisters should be allowed to stay home as requested by the family.
""I think the whole state thinks this is a reasonable request,"" Doyle said.
-The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
