JACKSONVILLE — Johnnie Doctor Jr., 32, is an information systems technician with the United States Navy. He is still listed as among the missing from the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.

Doctor is a native of Jacksonville and the son-in-law of the Rev. Cliff Patrick, pastor of the Florida Conference’s St. Joseph/Mt. Zion circuit here.

During the attack Doctor was working at his office in the Pentagon where he has been assigned for more than two years.

Patrick traveled to Washington, D.C., last month to be with and comfort his stepdaughter, Andrea. "She doesn’t want to accept it," Patrick said. "It’s kind of rough right now." Patrick’s wife, Rosa, is still with her daughter.

Patrick was "really shocked" when he first heard the news of the terrorist attacks. "I was at the church when my wife called and told me the Pentagon had been attacked," he said. "I turned on the TV and saw the towers and thought she’d made a mistake…then I saw they’d all been attacked."

Patrick says it will take time for him and his family to heal from the sudden loss of his son-in-law. "There’s not a lot people can do to help you when you’re going through these types of situations," he said.

Patrick said he appreciates the phone calls and prayers he has received from around the Florida Conference. Both Bishop Timothy Whitaker and Jacksonville District Superintendent Thom Shafer called and prayed with him.

Patrick is also praying about the situation. "My prayer is for all involved, even the terrorists — that God forgive them — and their families because they’ve suffered loss like we’ve suffered loss," he said.