Military Member Appreciates Support of His Family

Guard Member Appreciates Support of His Family

Eastern Arizona Courier
By Mary Lines, contributing writer

(September 22, 2004) - Neighbors, friends and family welcomed home National Guardsman Michael Pate with a barbeque on Sept. 11.

Pate, stationed with the 258th Engineers in Iraq, began his two-week leave on Labor Day. While he knew a barbeque was planned, the E4 Specialist was surprised to return home Saturday to a party of about 35 people -- complete with streamers, balloons and his children's hand-made welcome-home posters. Masterminded by Pate's mother-in-law, the group had decorated while Pate and his wife drove to pick up his mother, who was flying in from Las Vegas that day.

Amidst these family members and friends, Pate summarized his military and work history.

With 11 total years in the Guard, Pate has another nine to go. He's also served for three active years in the Army, stationed with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, as well as working eight years as a state correctional officer, and two years at the ADX maximum prison.

It was while employed at one of the prisons that he decided to join the National Guard.

"My friend talked me into it, saying we'd never get deployed. Now we're in Iraq," explained Pate, tongue in cheek.

After training at Fort Bliss and preparing for a month in Kuwait, Pate was stationed at the Tullil Air Base within Iraq. Leaving for duty with a wife and three kids at home has never been called easy, he said.

Pate's wife, Lolita, daughters, Mariah and Mikal, and son, Justin, must make many adjustments while their dad is gone. They look forward to the end of five months when, "hopefully," Pate will return home.

For now, the Pate family feels fortunate to communicate daily over the phone, as well as having access to free mail and the Internet.

Lolita, his children, extended family and even neighbors have shown support throughout Pate's deployment. Pate enjoys constant care and food packages.

Family members are quick to provide humor about the mail. "Didn't we send him Exlax?" jokes one.

Even "hand goop" (soap Pate uses to hand-wash grease from his clothes) is included from time to time. And, of course, American staples like Ramen noodles and chili find their way into the packages.

American food certainly tops the list of the soldiers' most-missed material items from home. Although Pate is stationed near a Pizza Hut and Burger King, his family quotes him as saying the food is "not the same."

Lolita said her husband has "hit every restaurant in town" since he's been home.

When asked what he wanted to do before his leave ends today, he responded immediately, "Visit with family." During his leave, Pate has made family time a high priority.

From supporting their oldest daughter, Mariah, in her volleyball games for Solomon to taking the whole family bowling and out for a movie, the Pates are making the most of their time together.

The kids even got to take Dad to school.

"I decided that when I got home, I was going to go visit them," Pate explained. He feels that local schools have been very supportive of the National Guard Units, providing banners and attending parades.

After teacher clearance, Pate presented himself in uniform to the classes. He told a little about himself and opened up time for the students to directly ask him questions.

Their inquiries brought about discussions ranging from the type of weapons Pate carried to the kinds of animals he's seen in Iraq.

According to Pate, the students asked some really good questions.

"We just go to work, and we work all day," Pate explained. Working with the 258th Engineers means Pate assists in establishing and restoring roads along with other military and humanitarian projects that involve "dozers, scrapers, and graders."

Pate summarizes his job as, "making things better for the local people of Iraq."

In addition to the more recognized difficulties of rebuilding Iraq, working in the desert provides its own set of challenges.

When Pate arrived in February, the Iraqi nights were fairly cool, but the days have been hot.

A temperature average of 115Ą F coupled with 35 lbs. of body armor and full DCU (desert camouflage uniform) any time the unit goes outside the wire (off base) makes for some uncomfortable times.

After working, Pate retires to his eight-man tent (which he shares with the same friend who talked him into joining the Guard). There, he and his buddies have the liberty to watch movies and play X-box and Play Station II before they're off to work again.

Pate conveys his and his buddies' gratitude.

He thanks community members for their support of the Guard, especially pointing out the support of wives. Most of all, he openly expresses appreciation for his wife.

"She's been a great support," he said.

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