Catoosa County resident Kathy Krech’s worry is understandable.

Her son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Charles Hall, 25, will be a part of the initial ground attack on Iraq.

Hall, a tank commander with the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry, 3-69 Armored Battalion, left for Kuwait in late January from Fort Stewart near Savannah, just two months after his youngest son was born. He served in Kuwait two years ago and in Kosovo last year.

Hall graduated from Ridgeland High in 1996 and joined the military in August 1996. “I begged him not to go,” his mother said.

“He was 12-years-old when we went to war the last time.” she said. “I remember watching TV with him.”

Hall married his wife, Elizabeth, a year-and-a-half ago. They have four sons: Matthew, 6; Josh, 3; John Hagen, 3; and Shawn, 4½ months.

Hall called his wife on March 14 and said he was receiving the care packages and letters they were sending. The troops are sharing the care packages, he said. He also told his wife he was ready for war.

At Ridgeland High, Hall was a Beta Club member; played football two years and lettered twice; pole vaulted; ran track two year and lettered once. He earned a full scholarship to Florida State and Dalton Junior Collage.

Hall attended Gordon Lee High School until 11th-grade, when he changed to Ridgeland in the fall of 1994.

“We moved to Catoosa County in October 1994, but he stayed in Ridgeland because he didn't want to change,” Krech said.

Hall is a weight lifter and body-builder and has won trophys and awards. He was third runner-up for Mr. Fort Stewart in a body-building competition. He started competing in weight lifting his junior year in high school