Can you ever truly go home? That is truly a tough question to answer. As a small child, the longest I ever lived (in the same city!) in one house was about 6 years. For a multitude of reasons, my parents (and eventually my single Mother) packed up the house and moved to a new location. So, for many reasons, my “home” was the city where I grew up – Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I really enjoy going back to where I was born and raised, albeit I left that city 40 years ago! I love riding up and down the alleys where I ran as a kid, reminiscing about family picnics in the many parks, and absolutely LOVE to drink the Sioux Falls water. There’s something about the taste of that water that makes me feel comfy. Sounds crazy….but I do love it.
As a military wife and an active duty Soldier, Ed and I have called many communities home as we PCS’d across our great nation. I still feel very connected to many great friends we made along the way and keep in touch as much as possible. I look back to assignments I had and very enjoy going back to even as much as look at the window, where my desk that I occupied during that assignment was just on the other side of the window. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to move along to a new and exciting assignment, and never did go back and say…”we used to do it like this….”. But, it was always fun to go back and reminisce.
The highlight of my Army career was my last duty station at Fort Lee, Virginia! Ed teases me (often) that Fort Lee is my Mecca! I agree. Fort Lee has so many things that I identify with and am so proud that I finally got assigned there for my final days in combat boots. First, Fort Lee is the home of the U. S. Army Quartermaster Corps – the second oldest branch within the U. S. Army. The Army birthday is 14 June 1775 and it was quickly discovered the Army could not move (literally) without the Quartermaster Corps! The Quartermaster (QM) Corps was born on 16 June 1775 – a mere two days later. The Quartermaster Corps encompasses the basic life needs of our Soldiers for their entire career. The QM Corps supplies Soldiers with everything – food, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc. Even in the end, it is the QM Corps who manages our military mortuary affairs. You get the idea – all the basic needs. Words from the Quartermaster March (yes, we have a song!) say it all – from the day you join the Army, ‘til the time you’re home once more, if you have to shoot or ride, the Soldiers fighting by your side, will be from the Quartermaster Corps. Look it up…it’s a catchy little tune! By the way…can you feel my passion?
Secondly, Fort Lee is home to the U. S. Army Women’s Museum. The Army thinks so much of the women who have served our great nation, that we are the only service branch who has dedicated a museum to the women who have served in that branch. I could brag all day about our Army Women’s Museum, and often do, because I am so incredibly proud to be part of something so good for so many. I serve on the non-profit that supports our Army Women’s Museum and am often asked why a non-profit. If you know much about the museums behind the Center of Military History, there are certain things that government dollars are not able to pay for. The successful museums have a terrific non-profit behind them who fund raise to provide monetary and public awareness support to their respective museum. Friends of the Army Women’s Museum (FAWMA) is that critical non-profit behind the Army Women’s Museum and do so much to honor and educate. Take an online look at this incredible museum and help spread the word! https://awm.lee.army.mil/
So, back to my question – can you every truly go home? I do…and I go as often as practical!
The past few days, I traveled back to my Mecca – Fort Lee Virginia! Our Army Quartermaster Corps hosted what has become known as Regimental Day. It was a day of honoring new Distinguished Members of the Regiment, Distinguished Units of the Regiment, Hall of Fame inductees, listen to our Army Quartermaster General on an update of the State of the Corps, reconnect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and enjoy team-building experiences with so many that we came to know as friends, and have the opportunity to serve together. I felt a flutter the first time I drove through the Fort Lee gate this week. It felt like it was only yesterday when from the last time I was there. It was so wonderful to go back to the Army Women’s Museum – our museum! It was so terrific to reconnect with those whom I call brothers and sisters. While we are all a little older, a little grayer, and have added a few more pounds; but, the family feeling is alive and well.
So, when you go back “home” my hope for you is that you feel the same excitement and flutter. Homecomings are wonderful and beautiful – whether it be a school homecoming, a family reunion, or a military regimental day – they can all share the same title of HOMECOMING!
