First phone call
Published 10:22 pm Monday, June 18, 2007
By By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
Gail Williams was shocked - and honored - to hear the words “this is George W. Bush” when she answered the phone Friday morning.
The president's phone call was in response to a letter from Williams that had been hand-delivered to him by U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, a few months ago.
Williams' son, Christopher Winchester, was killed in Iraq on July 14, 2005, and since that time she has devoted much of her life in his honor and to his memory.
Williams said her intent with the letter to Bush was to let him know she supports him and the war on terror.
Williams sent the letter hoping for a signed note in return.
When Williams answered the phone Friday, she was told that the president was on the line and wished to speak to her.
But the president had an even bigger surprise for Williams.
Bush will be in Mobile on June 21, so Williams is waiting to hear about the arrangements for his visit.
Williams said that she has had a very hard time dealing with her son's death, but she is convinced that he, and many of his friends, firmly believe in what the military is doing in Iraq.