WOMENS CORNER__________________________________

                                                By Barb Moreno, 11th ACVVC Women’s Coordinator

 

Greetings everyone. As I write this, there are just 161 days until the reunion. There is still so much to do to get ready to go. The name tags need to be finished, the meal tickets need to be put in the right packets, things needed for the ladies meeting have to be gathered together, the fund raiser needs to be counted and packed. And finally our suitcases need to be packed. Lists need to be made as to what needs to be packed and what stays home. Oh my, will it ever all get done?

 

I just had a thought. How are we getting to DC?  Are we flying or driving? If we’re flying then there are things that need to be packed to ship to the hotel.  If we‘re flying, then there are tickets to be bought. Either way a van needs to be rented. Maybe even a trailer for it. Then after reunion we still have over a week of traveling to do. Oh my will I ever get it all done?

 

While doing all this Bob and Raleigh will be off for a few days with our grandsons at Boy Scout Camp. I was planning on spending a few days in my hometown in PA with some friends as we celebrate our towns Old Home Week festivities, but have decided that it will have to wait. Oh my I really do think I need some help from little elves.  I suppose it’ll all work out, it always does. I’m just one of those people who worry about “everything”.

 

Bob and I received a wonderful gift shortly after the last Women’s Corner was submitted to the Thunder Run. Our Wesley came home from Iraq, safe and sound.  Now I know what all of you are saying. “I thought their children’s names were Robert and Raleigh.  And I’m sure the grandkids are just little.” Well, you are correct. Wes is sort of an “adopted” son. He is a wonderful, caring, clean cut, very smart young man who works with Bob at the commissary here.   A few years ago when he graduated from high school, he was talking to Bob and asked him for advice. He knew what he wanted to do with his life, he knew college was in his future, but just wasn’t quite sure how to go about getting the financing for it that he needed.

 

After having some long talks with Bob (as well as his own parents) he made the decision to join the reserves. To many peoples’ delight, as well as surprise, he found that he really did enjoy himself. Because of his interest in what he was doing he became quite good at things such as disassembling and reassembling his weapon. He didn’t even mind all the drilling they went through or even PT. Because of the care and passion he put into his duties within the reserve it soon became apparent to his superiors that he had true leadership qualities.

 

Things were going along as he had planned.  School was going good, reserves going great, even his job was enjoyable. Then came the orders we all dread.  Wes’ unit was being activated to IRAQ. This was to be for a year, then back home and on with his life as he had planned it.

Iraq - I remember the day that Bob came home and told me. A sense of dread and fear ran through me. We worried about him that whole tour. Was he alright? How bad was the situation where he was? Was he frightened? Was he alright?

 

We, or the commissary, sent him frequent ‘care’ packages, which I’m sure he shared with his fellow troopers. Suddenly the year was over. We were thrilled when he came home, safe and sound.

 

He and Bob once again had their long chats. He told Bob of meeting up with a unit from the 11th CAV.  He said he spent almost an entire afternoon talking with several of the troopers. He told them all about Bob and his connection to the 11th CAV. They sent several small gifts home with Wes to be given to him.  A desert subdued Blackhorse patch, some money they were using over there and a few other little trinkets and of course there were the pictures.  All things Bob has tucked away with his many military treasures. Things that our grandchildren will one day use as part of a history report I’m sure.

 

Wes was due to ETS in December of 2008. Then it happened. The unit was called into combat again. At first, because of his ETS date, it was thought he wouldn’t be going with them.  That was a short lived thought or dream. He was being extended.  So again he left us all at home.

 

I think the second tour was harder on us here at home, harder than it possibly was on him. Bob and I talked about it not long ago and found much to my amazement, that we had the same thoughts. I guess it surprised me because I’m the worrier in the family and I guess having been in combat that Bob never thought much about it.  Anyway, we realized that on the first tour, you worry about them doing something stupid like a bomb going off not very far from them, and wondering about their reaction. Would they remember everything they were taught? Would they freeze with fear? And you find yourself constantly, saying a small prayer for their safety.

 

Second tour comes along and you wonder what they are thinking this time. Are they letting their guard down a little because, hey, nothing happened last time?  What could possibly happen now? Does their safety sense decrease a little? After all it has been shown that more injuries and casualties occur on a second tour than on a first.

And again you’re asking God to please bring them home safely. These are all things we asked ourselves over and over again in the past year.  So you wait and wait and continue to pray every minute of everyday.

 

Unfortunately, Bob was not at work the day Wes came in after returning home. (I think we were at a doctor’s appointment or something.)  But he made a point of finding the time to come back the next day, just to see him. He’s fine, thank God, and ready to return to the books and to his job. Hopefully soon he will ETS and then he and his girl will begin making their wedding plans. And I can tell you right now, that one Blackhorse trooper and his lady will be sitting in the church beaming with pride at this young man who served his country with honor and pride. We will silently say a prayer of thanks for his safe return. And yes folks, I think you may even see a tear or two dribble out of these tired, old eyes. But they will be tears of thanks, of joy and of pride for that young trooper we so fondly think of as another son.

 

This is the second young man that has gone off to war, that has touched this family so profoundly. The first some of you may remember was our dear friend and neighbor, Andy. Unfortunately Andy didn’t return from Iraq four years ago, yet Wesley did return. It makes you wonder why one made it and the other didn’t. What did they do so differently? Why did things happen as they did? Why couldn’t they both come home safe?

 

Recently I saw Andy’s dad at the grocery store. While talking with him, I happened to think how much older and tired he has come to look in the past four years. He told me that slowly he is recovering and starting to heal. Having his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren around certainly seems to help.  I know he attends everything those kids do. Whether it be in school or in sports, he makes every effort to be there. We often hear from him about where they have gone on vacation. Making those all important memories with them. I guess in some ways he is substituting them for Andy. I can’t say for sure that he has really started to put Andy’s passing behind him or even begun to forgive what happened, but he certainly seems to be trying his best. And I guess that really is all one can do in the time of sorrow.

 

All I can say now is welcome home Wes! And to Andy, well friend we still miss you and think of you almost every day. We still continue to pray each day for those young men and women who are over there protecting our rights and freedom. May we soon be saying “Welcome Home” to all of them too.

 

Well, I guess I better stop going on about things that are happening around here, both past and present and get back to thinking about this years reunion.

I want to remind all of you ladies about our little change this year. We will be having a white elephant (aka - a black horse) exchange this year. You are to bring an unwrapped gift, new or something you want to find a new home for. It should cost no more than 5 - 10 dollars.  Remember when picking out what you are bringing that a lot of the ladies will need to pack whatever they get to take home in their suitcase as they have come on the plane. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you all think of to exchange.

 

Be sure your registration is in and the hotel has been booked, because this is one reunion you don’t want to miss. Just being in Washington D.C. is awesome. There is so much to see and do there. I have several favorite places to visit. Being a Blackhorse wife and supporter I love going to the Wall. And being a former WAC, I of course enjoy going over to Arlington to the Women In Service memorial. This year for the first time we will be making it a point of visiting the World War II memorial. I recently submitted all my dad’s military information to their archives. So it’s important to me to see it since it was my dad who encouraged me when I decided to join the military.

 

I do have a little bit of bad news. The second cookbook we are doing is being put on hold for another year. It definitely will be done in time for the St Louis reunion next year. Why is it being pushed back you ask? Well, first of all we still need a lot more recipes from “everyone”. Then after talking with Kathy Tandberg, who is our fund raising director, it appears that where she lives is bracing for another Spring of flooding. She has just bought a new house and is slowly moving. Plus she is not going to be retiring or cutting back as she had hoped. So I told her to just handle all her priorities and the cookbook can wait till next year.  We will still have items available this year.  As well as still having the Blackhorse towels, we will also have a pen and key chain. They can be purchased separately or as a set and the prices are going to be “awesome”.  So check us out.

 

Well, it seems like I’m just rattling on and on now, so I’ll close for this time. Looking forward to seeing you all in my home area, Washington, D.C.

PS  DON’T FORGET YOUR WHITE ELEPHANT ITEM!!!!!!

 

Always

Barb Moreno

Women’s Director 11th ACVVC