Bermudian nurse Don?e Caines is only 20 years old but she is doing her family proud serving as a medic on USNS in Iraq.

The former CedarBridge Academy student was deployed to the hospital ship in the Gulf three weeks ago and has already racked up enough experience to last her a lifetime.

She joined the US Navy two years ago and has been stationed in Baltimore until she was ordered to join the ship - which rescued Bermudian Bobby Lambe on its way to the Gulf - tending to both the coalition and Iraqi injured.

Her stepfather Austin Warner said both he and his wife Ruby, her father Glen Caines and her grandparents were all extremely proud of her.

“We get to speak to Don?e on e-mail every once in a while and she has told us that she is getting really good experience out there,” said Mr. Warner, of Granaway Heights, Southampton.

“There are wounded coming on board the ship on a regular basis, so she has met a lot of people directly involved in the conflict, both American and Iraqi people.

“The only thing that she really complains about is that she is very tired.

“But this is what she has wanted to do since she was 14.

“We are so proud of her, but we miss her and can't wait until we can see her again.”

Don?e was at CedarBridge Academy for about two years before finishing her high school education in Virginia where her mother was studying. But, instead of returning to Bermuda, Don?e decided to enter the US military and train to become a medic.

“She wanted a career in nursing and really wanted to do something in the military, so I encouraged her because I knew it was a good career, both the nursing and the military,” said Mr. Warner.

“Her mother was very nervous and upset when she was first deployed to Iraq because the war had already started, but I felt that because she was on USNS she would be safe.

“I knew that in terms of the military, the Navy was the safest choice. Before Don?e left, she said: ‘Daddy, this is what I signed up for.' “

Her mother Ruby said she was nervous all the time as she waited for her daughter to come home. “I have got yellow ribbons tied everywhere,” she said. “I pretty much have to rely on my faith, knowing that I can't change destiny. Before she left, I gave her my Bible and told her to take it with her as protection. I call it my sword. My faith is in God.

“I can't watch the war on the TV all the time because it makes me depressed. I miss her terribly. She used to call me everyday.”

And Mrs. Warner said her son, Theophilus, had his classmates send her letters and most of the children told her they were proud of her.

“It was very touching. She's my baby,” said Mrs. Warner.

But Mr. Warner said he was not just proud because his stepdaughter of 15 years was helping the injured in Iraq, but because of the person she was.

He added: “She has a quiet spirit and is very caring. She has all the proper qualities for nursing.

“I am proud of her because of the person she has developed into. She is a very good daughter and is very loving.

“We do miss her, but we are comforted because we know that she is doing a very good thing right now.

“This is her first deployment and first time away from home, but she is doing something good. Bless her heart.”

Mr. Warner said his stepdaughter had told him that when she returned to Bermuda she wished to re-visit CedarBridge Academy to talk to the students about her experiences, and to encourage them to follow their dreams.

He added: “She will have a lot to tell them, and she did follow her dream.”