When the Department of Defense began attaching journalists to military units in Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf, Pat Dorris, a TV reporter for KGW in Portland, Ore., was assigned to U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. With a homeport in Everett, Wash., the carrier would be ideal for the reporter to deliver sailors' stories to families and friends in the Northwest.
The placement also reunited Dorris with his older brother, whose naval career had separated them for four years. Cmdr. Bill Dorris is a pilot and second in command of the carriers F-18 Hornet Squadrons.
Their father is Bill Dorris, retired UW director of facilities and construction coordination. His message to them was: "I hope you are enjoying each other's company. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event that neither of you will forget."
To comply with ship regulations on escorting all news gatherers, the big brother agreed to keep an eye on his kid brother, 11 months his junior. Pat Dorris flew onto the ship a week ago. Since then his daily profiles have been broadcast on several affiliate stations.
March 21, 2003