Yesterday, Oliver and I went to the Change of Command ceremony on post. The event signified the change of the battalion's Colonels. The battalion was assembled on Watkins Field on Joint Base Lewis McChord (why they changed the post's name from Ft. Lewis to that, I'll never know) and the soldiers were in formation by company.
Oliver and I sat in the bleachers to watch the event. Of course, from that far away, I couldn't tell which soldier was Max, let alone which company was his.
Oliver's favorite part of the ceremony was the band...he particularly liked the buglers and the drummers. He seemed to get a kick out of the marching too. Every time the band rested and someone important spoke, Oliver would look at me, point to the band and ask me to make them play "again!"
When Max marched his company by where we were sitting, Oliver waved and called out to dad. I don't think he understood why Max didn't look at him and wave back. I tried to explain it, but who knows...
Personally, I was really thankful for the Army's band. Not only was its contribution spirited and nice, it kept my toddler entertained for the duration of the ceremony!
A blog for military life stories
PROVOKED BY WAR: NOTES FROM AN ARMY WIFE Overview
Provoked by War: Reflections of an Army Wife is a book of essays that expose my thoughts and experiences as the wife of an active duty infantry officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom during our five years of marriage.
From a Special Operations Unit (1st Ranger Battalion) to an Infantry Company Commander (1-17 Infantry), my husband’s job has challenged, frustrated, confused and saddened me while also given me happy, prideful and fond memories.
The essays in Provoked by War candidly detail my most profound experiences, lessons, triumphs and hardships as an Army wife during this time of war.
My husband returned from his company command and sixth combat deployment in July of 2010 with 1-17 Infantry. Their battalion suffered more combat casualties than any unit since September 11, 2001 primarily because of their stryker vehicles’ susceptibility to IEDs (articles on their combat endeavors have been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post and on NPR).
Most informed people know a little something about the soldiers in Iraq and now, especially, Afghanistan from media outlets. But, when it involves your soldier, the war becomes far more than just another news segment or newspaper article; you understand life’s fragility in a way that challenges the very way you live and look at the society of which you are a part.
My vignettes show the very honest evolution of a carefree newlywed whose tone of lightheartedness grows more complex with each passing deployment. I have always maintained that nothing can really prepare you for what it means to be married into the military in a time of war. My essays are the result of my experiences learning the ropes, facing the challenges and living as a modern day Army wife in the midst of war.
From a Special Operations Unit (1st Ranger Battalion) to an Infantry Company Commander (1-17 Infantry), my husband’s job has challenged, frustrated, confused and saddened me while also given me happy, prideful and fond memories.
The essays in Provoked by War candidly detail my most profound experiences, lessons, triumphs and hardships as an Army wife during this time of war.
My husband returned from his company command and sixth combat deployment in July of 2010 with 1-17 Infantry. Their battalion suffered more combat casualties than any unit since September 11, 2001 primarily because of their stryker vehicles’ susceptibility to IEDs (articles on their combat endeavors have been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post and on NPR).
Most informed people know a little something about the soldiers in Iraq and now, especially, Afghanistan from media outlets. But, when it involves your soldier, the war becomes far more than just another news segment or newspaper article; you understand life’s fragility in a way that challenges the very way you live and look at the society of which you are a part.
My vignettes show the very honest evolution of a carefree newlywed whose tone of lightheartedness grows more complex with each passing deployment. I have always maintained that nothing can really prepare you for what it means to be married into the military in a time of war. My essays are the result of my experiences learning the ropes, facing the challenges and living as a modern day Army wife in the midst of war.
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