In the course of writing this blog my memory had bee jogged to many things and recalling people that have not crossed my mind in years. It's been enjoyable for me to revisit all of these things and dig up old pictures. My hind sight has taught me many things.
When I blog about a person such as Tom or Wanda the story is significant because it changed me or at least began a change in me. Of course I met and knew 100's more people --most of which haven been long forgotten. But my encounter with certain people opened my sheltered eyes or broadened my views or changed my heart. It might not have been an instant change but as the seed was planted, I began to grow in new directions. I think that is why certain people or incidents have stuck with me this long. Someone once asked me, since it has been over 20 years, if I really remember these stories as detailed as I'm telling them and the answer is, yes I do however; I do not remember my entire Army career this vividly --just those things that marked something in me, dog-eared a page in my book of life.
It the realm of today's technology, it amazes me to have been overseas with hardly any communication with my family other than US mail. These days its so easy to jump on a computer and send an email, sit and chat on IM or fire off a text message. When I was in the Army we weren't even sending faxes, or at least not sending them in the manner we do now. I think that is what made it so tough being in Germany --just being out of touch and isolated. Certainly, every soldier's experience was not like mine as those stationed in larger cities had more things available to them. I was in the sleepy little town of Ansbach, Germany. There are some things that kept my sanity; letters and pictures from home, packages from home, calls from home, a best friend (I've yet to blog about), good NCO's that looked out for me and the ability to travel a lot --letters from home definitely being top of the list. I'd read them over and over and over gain. The pictures fro home were posted all over my barracks room and work area and they weren't there just for decorations --I looked at each of them every single day. I still have them all packed away in the basement and recently read some of them.
My mother's letters were typical mom stuff, "Are you okay? Are you eating enough? You look too skinny in your pictures. I have not heard from you in a long time. Please write to me and let me know you're okay. Are you going to church? Did you find a church to go to?" My grandmother's letters were short and sweet and usually about another sleepy little town but this one being nestled in the heart of the midwestern United States, East Prairie, Missouri. She'd write about her yard sale, Christmas decorations my grandfather put up or some little thing she was involved in at church or uptown (wasn't much). My sisters were usually the one sending pictures, especially my sister Val who was the only one married and with kids. She often would have Courtney, my niece, color (scribble) pictures for me. Those were hanging up too.
I don't know what its like now for soldiers stationed overseas but I imagine its much different that 20 years ago---I'd imagine their contact with home is via technology most of the time. Even still, I'd also imagine a letter or package from home would still be appreciated.
If you know someone currently serving in the military, why not sit down right now and write them a letter --even if they are stationed state-side. The best way to thank a soldier, or any member of the military, is to let them know they have not been forgotten on the home front.
I salute my Comrades in Arms.
When I blog about a person such as Tom or Wanda the story is significant because it changed me or at least began a change in me. Of course I met and knew 100's more people --most of which haven been long forgotten. But my encounter with certain people opened my sheltered eyes or broadened my views or changed my heart. It might not have been an instant change but as the seed was planted, I began to grow in new directions. I think that is why certain people or incidents have stuck with me this long. Someone once asked me, since it has been over 20 years, if I really remember these stories as detailed as I'm telling them and the answer is, yes I do however; I do not remember my entire Army career this vividly --just those things that marked something in me, dog-eared a page in my book of life.
It the realm of today's technology, it amazes me to have been overseas with hardly any communication with my family other than US mail. These days its so easy to jump on a computer and send an email, sit and chat on IM or fire off a text message. When I was in the Army we weren't even sending faxes, or at least not sending them in the manner we do now. I think that is what made it so tough being in Germany --just being out of touch and isolated. Certainly, every soldier's experience was not like mine as those stationed in larger cities had more things available to them. I was in the sleepy little town of Ansbach, Germany. There are some things that kept my sanity; letters and pictures from home, packages from home, calls from home, a best friend (I've yet to blog about), good NCO's that looked out for me and the ability to travel a lot --letters from home definitely being top of the list. I'd read them over and over and over gain. The pictures fro home were posted all over my barracks room and work area and they weren't there just for decorations --I looked at each of them every single day. I still have them all packed away in the basement and recently read some of them.
My mother's letters were typical mom stuff, "Are you okay? Are you eating enough? You look too skinny in your pictures. I have not heard from you in a long time. Please write to me and let me know you're okay. Are you going to church? Did you find a church to go to?" My grandmother's letters were short and sweet and usually about another sleepy little town but this one being nestled in the heart of the midwestern United States, East Prairie, Missouri. She'd write about her yard sale, Christmas decorations my grandfather put up or some little thing she was involved in at church or uptown (wasn't much). My sisters were usually the one sending pictures, especially my sister Val who was the only one married and with kids. She often would have Courtney, my niece, color (scribble) pictures for me. Those were hanging up too.
I don't know what its like now for soldiers stationed overseas but I imagine its much different that 20 years ago---I'd imagine their contact with home is via technology most of the time. Even still, I'd also imagine a letter or package from home would still be appreciated.
If you know someone currently serving in the military, why not sit down right now and write them a letter --even if they are stationed state-side. The best way to thank a soldier, or any member of the military, is to let them know they have not been forgotten on the home front.
I salute my Comrades in Arms.
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