Demonstrated Dedication

Like just about every woman, I've dieted. I've been concerned about my weight. I've lost and I've gained (can you say yo-yo?). I know how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. Which is why Ms Ashley Barrett-Carter's story touched me. This woman so wanted to serve her country by joining the Army that she lost 113 pounds to do so! Way to go! As Sean Hannity would say, "you're a great American!"

According to a story in the Dallas Morning News Ms Barrett-Carter started thinking about serving in the military a few years ago, but when she walked into a recruiting station she found out that she needed to lose 100 pounds in order to meet the Army's height and weight standards. The recruiter, Sgt Ryan Memolo, thought he'd never see her again. But he did. She came back 2 months later, weighing 20 pounds less. She did it by restricting portions and by exercising rather than by fad diets. After steadily losing about 2 pounds a week (on the advice of her Doctor), Ms Barrett-Carter is ready for basic training. This is the kind of dedication and commitment to service that makes our military great! Hope Ms Barrett-Carter sails through basic, and enjoys her enlistment!

Going to War With Your Son!

I've been a spouse who was left behind when her husband deployed to a war zone. I've been a mother who was left behind when her son deployed to the same war zone a couple of years later. And I'm a mother who will be left behind when my daughter deploys in a few short months; I'll be left behind to care for her beloved child, my adored granddaughter. Each time I've been left behind I've thought that it would be so much easier if I was the one deploying. Being the one left behind is very hard for me. I'm the kind of person who wants to "do;" to be the one to "fix it;" to be the one "responsible." That's just who I am.

So I think I might be a bit jealous of Sgt Jane Strand of the 449th Theater Aviation Brigade, a North Carolina Army National Guardsman, who will deploy in the near future along with her son, Pvt. Timothy Strand. They're both in the same N.C. National Guard unit. How cool is that!

According to an article in the News & Observer Sgt Strand joined the Marine Corps when she was 17-years-old and served for 11 years, leaving only to raise her 6 children while she waited for her Marine husband to retire. Once he did, she enlisted in the N.C. National Guard. Her son, Pvt. Strand enlisted in the same National Guard unit as his mother this summer. He is her youngest child, only 18-years old. According to the article, Sgt Strand says her youngest son wanted to deploy with her to keep an eye on her; and she says she'll let him continue to think that. Cool! I think I like this woman! Sgt Strand says she's more concerned with her husband, who is being left behind to take care of kids and grandkids. Somehow, I think that a retired Marine, who has a woman like Sgt Strand for a wife, will be able to handle it. According to the article, Sgt Strand isn't worried about herself, or her sons (her oldest son is in the active Army). She says,

"Things can happen anywhere. Nothing is guaranteed in this life or the next, and you have to be ready for whatever is in your path. Attitude has everything to do with it."

Words to live by!

Women of the Military

GI Kate has posted a video clip showing the introductions from the 10 women interviewed (so far) for the Women of the Military documentary on her blog, My American-Iraq Life. Just from the introductions, it looks like this documentary is going to be good (if I say so myself). Go on over and check it out for yourself! Kate is also interested in getting an email from women who have served and would be willing to sit for an interview. Drop her a line!

UPDATE: Lt Nixon also discusses GI Kate's post on his blog, Lt Nixon Rants. Cool!

Women in the Military

So there I was; under the lights, in the “hot seat,” answering the tough questions, wondering “why me?” No, I hadn’t been called into the local police station for interrogation. GI-Kate was interviewing me for a potential documentary on women in the military. Cool!

What an experience! First of all, meeting GI-Kate was wonderful. What an impressive young woman. I’ve followed her blog, My American-Iraq Life, for a while now; but getting to meet her and know her in person was great. She’s a lot of fun and extremely intelligent. Second, watching the producer work was amazing. I couldn’t believe how much “behind-the-scenes” work goes into taping interviews. He was very professional and very easy to work with. Both GI-Kate and the producer set those of us being interviewed at ease and were interested in what we had to say. Finally, we taped my interview, and the interview of another female veteran, at the Women in Service for America Memorial at Arlington Cemetery. The staff there was so welcoming and so helpful. The Women’s Memorial is a superb facility. If you ever get to Arlington Cemetery, you must make it a part of your pilgrimage. It is spectacular! If you’re a woman veteran, you should register your service in their register. You can do it on-line at their web site. Anyway, I can’t give enough praise to GI-Kate, the producer, or to the staff at the Women’s Memorial. They made the whole thing work. Hopefully, the topic of women’s military service is sufficiently interesting to make a documentary that will be interesting to the public. I know I found it interesting! But then, I have “been there, done that.”

So; stay tuned. Perhaps there will be an announcement about a future showing. . .