First Month at the AWC

I can't believe we've been here less than a month! We've done so much!

Across State Lines. It seems like months ago when Barb and I were driving across the states, pulling the Harley behind us, with Tim and Toby in the U-haul -- all heading towards Pennsylvania, where Tim and I would begin our one year adventure at Army War College. Thank God for Barb and Toby who helped us unload, unpack and even decorate our new little home!

We're settled in and our little Smurf house is now a home. If we leave our front door open, which we often do, there is bound to be a visitor at our door -- many who have already become great friends.


Good Friends. We've spent alot of time with many of the Air Force, Army National Guard and Reservist that we met in April at orientation doing everything from hosting parties at each others place, golfing together, to meeting at the Tiki Bar on Thursday and/or Friday nights.

A Little History. We snuck away to Gettysburg for two days before Tim started classes and toured the battlefields which was quite touching to say the least. Tim gave me a short lesson in the history of the Civil War before we left. I was touched beyond words thinking about the sacrifices thousands of soldiers made during the Civil War to not only keep our country united as one, but to bring freedom to the slaves.

We toured the Jennie Wade House where Jennie, the only civilian to die, was killed by bullets fired during the battle of Gettysburg. It has been said that she was standing in the kitchen of this house, cooking, when a bullet travelled through TWO oak doors, hitting her in the back and piercing through her heart, killing her instantly.

The Beauty of Pennsylvania. One very warm and sunny Saturday, we invited Cedric, a Navy Commander, Special Operations Forces and AWC student and his wife, Cynthia to join us for a Harley ride to see some of the 150+ covered bridges in Pennsylvania. It was a great ride and the beauty of the Pennsylvania covered bridges and back roads was breath taking.

Week Zero. Tim started "Week Zero" this past week, which was basically meeting his other class mates in his seminar group, orientations, lectures on fitness, diet and health, spousal introductions and Seminar get-togethers. His normal dress code for classes is shirt, tie and jacket or a suit. But during Week Zero, he got to wear "Carlisle Casual" attire :-)

There are twenty 'Seminar groups' in the 2011 AWC. Each Seminar group consists of 17-20 AWC students who will be in the same class the first part of the year, working together on projects, study assignments, planning social events, etc. Tim is in Seminar 9 and the only Guardsman in his group. There is one Navy officer, one Air Force officer, one Marine officer, one Army Reserve officer, one female from the NSA (National Security Agency), three International fellows (Italy, Australia and Thailand), and 8 active Army officers.

Opening Ceremonies. On Friday, Opening Ceremonies, welcoming student and faculty and their families, took place at the Indian Field on post. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps marched onto the field first, playing traditional Revolutionary War period music. Following them was the Army Drill Team with a spectacular performance!

Boatyard Wars. Following the Opening Ceremonies was the infamous AWC Boatyard Wars down by the Tiki Bar and swimming pool. Each seminar group was given a sheet of cardboard and a roll of duck tape. They then designed a boat, that would fit two people to be raced across the pool. Each seminar group could 'win' additional items they might need like extra duck tape, balloons, and floating devices by answering trivia questions on a 'first come first serve' basis. A full blown picnic dinner was provided along with...yes, you guessed it -- several kegs of beer! Tim's seminar group's boat made it 3/4 the way across the pool before capsizing.

Saturday we rode in the American Red Cross run with friends we've met on post that have Harley's as well 120miles of pure Pennsylvania beauty.

Back to the Real World. Tim is now into Week One. The fun, lazy days of summer on Carlisle Barracks must come to an end, or at least slow down, while Tim dives into his studies. I'm sure we will still find time for our weekly trip to the Tiki Bar (good thing it's only open on Thursday and Friday nights)! And, of course, all those get-togethers with all the great people we've met on post will not come to an end -- there will be many MANY good times to come here at Carlisle Barracks!