Some of you may no Shelby, from her blog, “My view from UP here,” or from Twitter. I decided to interview Shelby for my Fourth of July post for two reasons, the obvious, she serves in the Army and the other reason I found out yesterday while tweeting with her that she and her husband were married on the 4th of July! So, Happy Anniversary Shelby and Jack!

The Flying Pinto: I find it fascinating that you’re a FA and serving in the Army. I assume the Army came first? What made you decide to pursue the Army and what do you do for them?

Shelby: I joined the Army in 1986. While following my first husband around in the Army, I saw what the females were doing …. and I said “I Can do this”… It was easy till I had my son in 1987. I was based in Panama, Far from home & my 1st baby. My husband was no longer in the Army and told me he wanted us to move home. I liked being in the Army he didn’t… I stayed…He went! As of right now, I am a Human Resource Instructor, I teach othersoldiers how to manage soldiers in their units. This includes & is not limited too: All paperwork on a soldier from their entry into the service, until they Retire & or they died, Even after retirement.

FP:How much have you been involved in the current war? Have you been in any others?

S: As far as this War is concerned, I “Trained” Navy Sailors to be individual augmentees for Army units in Iraq, Kuwait & Afghanistan…No small task considering we were given just 3 weeks from start to finish. I was involved in Panama, While trying to Oust Noriega…I sat in a basement & was prepared to implement the “Casualty Reports”… I typed only One! That was my 1st & only! A job to which no one could ever be truly prepared. During Desert Storm, Jack (Current) hubby, *We were not married yet* took me to the Oregon coast so he could prepare me for his deployment. I came down on Orders he didn’t… This was also time for my reenlistment.

Jack & I decided I wouldn’t Reenlist in the Army. I got out of the Army for a couple of reasons, Jack & I had just gotten married, He is an Officer & I was enlisted, Even though we were not in the same Division, it was frowned upon, & since he had been in longer & made more money, I let him stay in, (ha ha) 2nd, we considered having another child, & Soldier & Mother is a hard JOB! I don’t care what kind of Super Mom you are! I went into the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) A pool of soldiers that still owe a commitment, but do not have to be on Active Duty anymore, (Sort of like pulling reserve as a FA) You go if you are needed, I sat there for 1991 to 1997, Until one day hubby *Now Retired* said,”Why don’t you go back in the Army?” to which I replied,
“I Can do that!” Off I enlisted again for the 2nd time in my Army Career, I’ve been in ever since, I joined the U.S. Army Reserve, One weekend a month, 2 weeks a year, YEAH RIGHT! That is a commercial, they worked me like a Step Child, & I loved it… I was in Uniform again, I had missed it.

FP: When did you decide to become a FA? How long have you been flying? Are you enjoying your 2nd career?

S: After Jack retired from the Army we moved to my home in Fort Worth Texas, I was a “Cruise Consultant”… Thing was, wecould get these great cruises…but could never afford the Airfare…well, being in Dallas, who should you apply for? (TWA) …I applied in Jan 1999, and they turned me down, I was heartbroken…My 1st book report ever was in 8th grade ..and it was on a TWA Flight Attendant! My company called the next day to offer me another position as a Ticket Agent, Hmmm, Foot in the door, Right? So I did that for one year, & applied for Flight Attendant again… GOT IT!,
Living the Dream, Off to Training, in Chicago & Reality sets in, Seriously I love it, but it not the job you think it is …looking in from the outside. I Graduated March 2001,and yes, I do love my 2nd Career.

FP: Your husband is also in the military, is he in the Army too?

S: I met my current husband, Jack in the Army, He was being investigated, I was the one doing the investigation… we never met face to face, it was all done via Snail Mail & Phone calls. We didn’t have Internet way back then! When the investigation was over, I went on my way, Jack went his way, 6 months later, we met, face to face!

Jack joined the Army in 1974 & because of Bill Clinton he retired with 20 years in 1994 at the age of 38…

He was “Recalled” to active duty in 2006 & is still currently serving until September of this year! He is the most patriotic person I know!

FP: You mentioned that your husband will be oversees soon, where is he going and do you know for how long?

S: My husband has been offered a job with a company, that he works side by side with now, they don’t want to lose him, & offered him 3 positions, One is in South Carolina, (He won’t take it), the second, is in Jordon,and the third, is in the Country of Georgia. He is still weighing his options at this point…

He wants to go back to Iraq, where he served 2 years, as a Civilian Contractor. He loved his work there and he loved the people. That is the problem, he likes this work, but it takes him away for long periods, neither one of us are good at being separated, so he is working with the company for “Dates” that will make everyone happy!

FP: Today (the 4th) is a special day for you and your husband…besides the obvious…what will you be celebrating?

S: Our Wedding Anniversary! Jack and I were separated for 2 years awhile back, but we managed to find our way back to each other. We celebrate now more than ever, that we WANT to be together, to celebrate our marriage! We believe in marriage now, more than ever! In this day & age, that is a gift in it’s own..

When I asked Jack…. How many years do you want to count as being married, now that we are back together, he said “ALL OF THEM”, I said “WHY?”, he said, “For better or Worse, baby, Remember your vows, Count them all”!!

I loved him more that day, than any other!

So, we celebrate the fact that Independence Day, Is our Day! the Fact that we are Not Independent from each other!

FP: What a great date for you two! How did you decide on the fourth of July to get married?

S: Our 1st date, Mind you, after 6 months of “Chatting”, we played 20 Questions, He asked on question number 3…Will you marry Me… WIDE EYED, and a loss of air in my lungs, I managed to say “YES!!” His next question, was WHEN do you want to do this?

I laughed and said, July 4th, I know we will both have that day off & it’s a day you can’t forget!

FP: Did you have a big celebration? Where was it? Lots of Fireworks?

S: Since this was both of our 2nd Weddings we kept it low key, just family & a few friends.. We were married in a Park in Salem Oregon with thousands of Red, White & Blue balloons… It was fantastic, my Mother was afraid it would rain…. Jack said “It wouldn’t dare!!” & It didn’t, we did Bed & Breakfasts up and down the coast of Oregon for our Honeymoon. We took a nap when we arrived our wedding night, so so tired, we got up, & he pulled me from the bed, saying I promised you Fireworks, Now come on lets go!

FP: Do you have any special traditions for celebrating this special day?

S: We are always ALONE, & we always search for the best fireworks! No matter what city we are in… There is never any family on this day, It is just the two of us! I know it is selfish, but sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do!!

(post photo courtesy of: Laz & Didi’s Pics’ photostream)