Very bad day today

I got a horrible phone call early this morning from someone I used to work with. A friend of mine, who was stationed in Iraq, was killed yesterday in her sleep when her trailer was hit. SGT Trista Moretti was an amazing person. She had an impact on so many lives in so many places. It's going to be tough for everyone (like me) who can't make it to Jersey to say goodbye. I've been crying off and on all damn day. It seems so unfair. I hate this war and don't agree with it, but I don't think she died in vain. She died for everyone else out there. They fight for each other, not a cause, not their government. That's what I miss about the Army. I miss my comrades.

Trista was hilarious and beautiful and had this great Jersey accent. We used to play word games and gossip and eat lunch together every day. We would laugh all day long while we "worked" haha. I remember when she first got to the unit I told everyone some bitchy chick with an accent was in the office. I didn't like her at first. I was an idiot. After about 2 minutes of actually being around her, though... I had to love her. She just had a birthday, that I forgot... dammit. She was only 27, happily single, living the Army life. She loved being in the Army and I always thought she was crazy. She went to jump school and loved PT... she wanted to leave San Antonio so she could go to a tactical unit. She got her wish and transferred to Alaska and was deployed not long after that. She probably volunteered to go. That's just the type of person she was. She wanted to be useful and she was tough so she knew she had a lot to offer any unit in Iraq. I got to see her before she left, thankfully. Unfortunately, I was dumb and didn't take pictures. I grabbed some from her myspace, though. I feel so bad for her family. I'm lucky enough to have their address so I'm definitely going to write to them and tell them all about what I remember and say goodbye. Probably send some flowers or something too... maybe some hot fries, Trinky loved hot fries and corn nuts... nasty smelly corn nuts. She was supposed to be home by December. We'll miss you Trista. I wish you could have made it home.

** I have removed the pics with other people in them. Sorry to anyone who was in them for not asking permission. I didn't think my blog would get so much attention. I just wanted people to see what kind of person she was and all those pics were so fun. Hopefully, I didn't cause anyone any problems. **

Comments

Britni said…
Wow,Allie...I'm so sorry!She sounded like a wonderful person.It's really is so sad to hear stories like this.Her family must be devistated...
6/27/2007 2:14 AM
Unknown said…
thank you for this! it was written very well. i was one of Trista's friends. I was fortunate enough to meet her in San Antonio. When I first arrive, she helped me out so much because I was brand new to the unit! I will miss her so much. Many people will miss her! She was an amazing person!
6/27/2007 4:09 AM
Anonymous said…
I went to High School with Trista... she was a funny girl, always sat in front of me.. My condolences...SUch a shame.. hopefully she went in peace...
6/27/2007 9:38 AM
Allison said…
Hi Timothy & Anonymous,
I don't know how you guys found my blog, but I'm glad you did. Feel free to plaster this link all over and leave messages or stories.
6/27/2007 10:36 AM
Unknown said…
Hi Allie... I found your page through google...My name is Sabrina...Trista and I have been best friends since 6th grade. Thank you for everything you wrote about her. She was an amazing beautiful smart and super funny person. I will miss her so much and I feel empty inside without her. She was and always will be my best friend...we will meet again Trista and play some drunken scrabble!
R.I.P. Trista Lynn Moretti
6-14-80 - 6-25-07
6/27/2007 11:30 AM
Anonymous said…
I also went to high school with Trista. She was a few years older than me and I didnt know her well, but it is devastating that this has hit so close to home. I'm very sorry for your loss.
6/27/2007 12:23 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi Allie, I'm so sorry for your loss. I did not have the honor of knowing Trista, but I am a very close friend of her sister Jenn. My thoughts and prayers are with the Moretti's and all their friends and family. God bless Trista!! May she rest in peace.
6/27/2007 12:44 PM
Anonymous said…
I had the pleasure of going to school with Trista back in SP. She was an amazing person then as well. Always smiling and willing to help anyone she knew or even if she didn't know them she would lend a helping hand. It is an absolute shock to hear about this. My heart goes out to her family and and friends.
6/27/2007 1:01 PM
Allison said…
anonymous - Please tell Jenn that I am so sorry she lost her sister. I can't imagine losing a sibling. I know they were really close and my heart goes out to her. When I think about losing any of my sisters I don't even think I could cope... and I am lucky enough to have 3 sisters.
6/27/2007 1:27 PM
Anonymous said…
I grew up with Trista as childhood friends in South Plainfield. Our parents were pretty good friends. Last year i hung out with her right before she left for Iraq. She was not nervous to go over. She has a contagious laugh and always had a smile. The news is devastating to hear, and all my love, support & prayers go out to the Moretti family and close friends. Trista, you laugh still goes on, keep shining. your gorgeous and an outstanding human being. God Bless. And Thank you for protecting our country. All respect & love.

Melissa T
6/27/2007 1:57 PM
Anonymous said…
I went to college with trista, and she had the best laugh. always happy, always smiling. we had so many good memories, i am just sorry that i never got to say goodbye. Today i think i am still in denial. I keep looking at all of our pictures and she was always so happy! so i keep playing the same song on my ipod, called slipped away. (it was on someones myspace in memory to her) from avril lavigne. and keep looking at our pictures and remembering all of our laughs and good times. I will miss her extremely.
6/27/2007 2:40 PM
Anonymous said…
I worked with Trista and as you said Allie at first I thought she was conceited but it was the opposite. She was an amazing person, I also loved her accent and laugh. I feel horrible for not sending her hot fries. My thoughts and prayers are with the Moretti's. I will have her in my prayers.
6/27/2007 3:26 PM
Anonymous said…
Hey girl, This is hitting hard for me as well. I spent yesterday out of no where 'ballin' as I sat at the computer here at Ft. Sam, the night wasn't much better. I didn't have many pics of her and ended up getting most off her page. I plan on going back over to the shop and getting some off their system soon, hopefully tomorrow. I read through your blog and you said it all. Described her to the tee. I will miss that spunk and fire she brought to the shop, especially that laugh of hers and of course the Jersey accent. Today, I have been trying to contact as much people as I can to let them know about what happened. My heart goes out to you Allie, you two were very close. I will miss her and will never forget her.
6/27/2007 3:26 PM
Anonymous said…
Our thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of Sgt. Trista Moretti during this difficult time. We are eternally grateful for this hero's courage, service and sacrifice for our Nation. We will never forget. God Bless.

Frank Tacey
PGR RideCaptain SE PA
6/27/2007 3:58 PM
Anonymous said…
I only got to know Trista for a short amount of time. She is the sister of a dear friend of mine. As you all pray for Trista please also pray for her sister Jenn and Trista's parents & family. Jenn loves Trista more than anything and will need all the love, prayers and support of everyone to get past this difficult time. Trista, you will be missed by so many people. Thank you for serving to protect our country and giving your life for our freedom. Thank you for the many funny stories Jenn has told me and the few laughs we shared together. You will never be forgotten and you will always be missed. xoxo
6/27/2007 4:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi Allie.
I too, did not know Trista, but did work with her sister Jenn. I worked with her for a few years, and I am very sorry for the family's loss. Trista sounded like a gal I would have loved to hang with. The Moretti family is in my prayers.
6/27/2007 5:40 PM
Anonymous said…
I live in South Plainfield, a few blocks from the Moretti family. I heard about it on the news and it is very upsetting. But she will always be remembered for her duty and love of her country, family, friends... obviously she was a wonderful girl. Just a side question, is this the Moretti family that owns the real estate agency? So sad. My flag is hanging and hopefully so will the rest of South Plainfield. God bless her.

Barbara
6/27/2007 7:10 PM
Anonymous said…
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for being the first to post something up like this. I also was good friends w/ Trista and our families know each other well. (My husband, Lt. Chris Keene is also over in Afghanistan serving w/ his Infantry Unit) I got the call from Jenn yesterday and was devastated, Trista was beautiful soul. I have fun memories of her cracking blue crabs at high school lunch, hanging at my shore house, always w/ a big bag of Hot Fries (even back then), and getting me to run with her at 5AM. She was a motivater for sure. I'll miss her terribly. Shanna Hall Keene
6/27/2007 7:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Allie I praise you for having this forum for us to just pour our hearts out for Trista. I pray that this blog will make it to the hands of her loved ones as a tribute. It might provide some solace to her family some day. I know that the pain is just to raw right now. It's shocking for me. I just stare at your page, and can hardly move. Again, thanks Allie, your spirit is as strong as Trista, and you are a voice for her too. Sincerely, Ace.
6/27/2007 9:06 PM
Babs Haake said…
My heart hurts for the mother and father of Trista as I read these comments about her. All I can see is my own daughters face and wonder how I would cope with not ever seeing her again. Nothing can fill the void that a loved one leaves.
6/27/2007 11:56 PM
Anonymous said…
I too attended High School with Trista. She truly was a wonderful person! Just as you described her is exactly how I remember her. You did an excellent job and I appreciate you honoring her with the respect she deserves. Please keep her, the Moretti Family, friends and all our other soldiers in your hearts.
6/28/2007 1:54 AM
Anonymous said…
First of all thank you for this...I also went to HS with Trista. She was a year younger than me and we played field hockey together. She was one of my good friends on the team, but we lost touch when I went off to college. I was just looking at some old pictures and came across one of us and some friends...it was a group of about 5 of us and everyone is smiling and Trista is sticking out her tongue...typical. A couple of us had a nickname for her on the team - we called her Gazelle bc she was always running and bounding around...the girl LOVED to run. About a month ago, she sent my friend a message on myspace and my friend told me about it. I said I would message her, but I was always too busy. I regret that. My prayers and condolensces go out to her family. She died a hero and will always be in my thoughts.

CF
6/28/2007 10:08 AM
Anonymous said…
My condolences to Trista's friends and family.
6/28/2007 10:30 AM
Anonymous said…
Last time I saw Trista was at Flanagan's a few years ago. She was her usually fiery self and alongside Melissa K. The two of them reminded me of what Godzilla and Mighty Mouse would look like if they were friends.

I'm very angry about the situation.

Bottom line is America must continue to honor each and every soldier in the same way we honor Trista. Tell their story and Thank God people like them exist.
6/28/2007 10:51 AM
Anonymous said…
Trista and I were best friends during high school. We were inseparable and did everything together. As we got into college and had different aspirations, we slowly grew apart and eventually lost touch. She was such a wonderful person: beautiful inside and outside, a contagious laugh, an everlasting smile, and so much energy for life. I'm blessed to have had her in my life and have had the opportunity to call her a great friend. Thank you for honoring her!
6/28/2007 3:44 PM
Anonymous said…
My husband was Trista's co-worker and when he called Monday night to tell me, he was so upset. He wants the world to know that Trista was a KICK-ASS soldier and she did her job and the USA proud over there! She will be missed...sorely by her guys there at Kalsu! Prayers to her family. Even our little daughter who met her a few times before they deployed cried when I told her. This was a sad sad tragedy...Thank you for your kind words about her.
6/28/2007 7:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Trista was my boyfriend's cousin. I only met her once and spent a few evenings with her when she passed through Washington State on her way to Alaska. The things I remember most about her was her accent, and her smile. A smile that could make the room light up. She was a true sweetheart and I liked her instantly. I only wish that I could have seen her again. You will be missed by all Trista. Thank you for all that you have done throughout your very short life. Blessings and support to the all the family and friends of this wonderfully beautiful person
6/28/2007 9:55 PM
Anonymous said…
I still can't believe that this is happening. Just the other day I was talking about the color of her eyes. They were a beautiful golden shade of amber. I let my contract expire so that I could spend more time with my husband, but this kind of thing makes me wish that I had reenlisted so that I could feel that I am still making a difference. This is unreal-or all too real!
6/28/2007 10:28 PM
Anonymous said…
My thoughts and prayers are with SGT Trista Moretti, her family and her friends. My son is also with the 25th and stationed in the same vicinity. Whatever difficulties and challenges I face are nothing when compared to what are soldiers and the families of those who were injurred and lost go through on a daily basis. I wish them strength.

Tavis Schriefer
Proud father of SPC Nicholas Schriefer
1-501st PIR, FOB Iskan, Iraq
6/29/2007 10:26 AM
Anonymous said…
I also went to school with Trista. I am at a lose for words. We will all miss her. I appreciate you honoring her with the respect she deserves.
Coastie girl
6/29/2007 7:39 PM
Anonymous said…
still in shock to hear about trista... i knew her the first day of 6th grade. we were great friends for years up until college. we just starting talking again on myspace and remembering all the stupid things we did (she especially loved the time i fell flat on my face at the beach trying to impress some guy!) figures she would remember that of all things... i will never forget her strength and her smile. she was such a huge part of my life growing up... we shared many laughs and many tears together! i will never forget our runs to gether (the girl could run forever!) thanks trista for serving our country and being so brave i will never forget you!!!!

christine (smalley) ferraez
6/30/2007 3:12 PM
Anonymous said…
I did not know Trista personally but I am a friend of her sister Jenn and her Fiance Juan. My heart goes out to anyone who knew and loved her. I attended the wake yesterday and it was one of the saddest events I have ever seen. I feel terrible for her sister. She will walk down the asile in Dec. and she will have to do it without her best friend - her sister. What a tragedy.
7/03/2007 10:05 AM
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