"I am still unsure as to whether or not I will re-enlist," said Taylor in an email message to the Register. "There are so many rewarding things associated with serving my country; it's probably the most difficult and crucial decision I will ever make."

Taylor, the daughter of Donna Townsend of Boothbay and David Taylor, also of Boothbay, was recently featured in an article in her company's newsletter. The newsletter, The Warrior, published by the 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office, ran a series of interviews with servicemen and servicewomen who responded to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Taylor, a senior airman with the 319th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base at the time, responded with her team to the attack on the Pentagon. Her team checked air samples in the Pentagon after the terrorists crashed the airplane into the building. The second day, her team assisted the Army in a search and rescue mission to find survivors.

In the article, Taylor also spoke of her team's response to the anthrax attacks in the U.S. Capitol Building. Her team joined a Marine Corps sampling team to take swipe samples and vacuum samples for the anthrax spores.

Promoted to staff sergeant in November 2004, Taylor is now the Base Respiratory Protection Program Manager. After graduating from Airman Leadership School, she is now in charge of supervising incoming troops to the base.

She is two college classes away from a Community College of the Air Force degree and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

Some awards and decorations she has received include: Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, two Outstanding Unit Awards, Airman of the Quarter Award recipient in both 2001 and 2004, and Air Mobility Command Outstanding Bioenvironmental Journeyman of the Year Award nominee in both 2002 and 2004.

Taylor, who said she probably wouldn't return home to Boothbay until Christmas-time, said she would like to hear from her friends, either by mail or email.

People can write to her at: Andrea Taylor, 2402 30th Ave. S Apt. 209, Grand Forks, ND 58201, or andrea.taylor@grandforks.af.mil.