Page 70 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

HEROES

AND

SERVANTS

by Mary Gerlach
Assistant Director of Lubbock Meals
on Wheels

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever
cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” Arthur Ashe

In life it seems that those who truly serve, often serve in multiple ways. Our Veterans embody the true meaning of the
word, service. But most don’t stop serving simply because they are retired. They are often the people who continue
to help the most in our community. We would like you to know about three of our Lubbock Meals on Wheels’
volunteers who first served in the military and continue to serve in other ways. Here they are, in their own words.

Carrie Monjé – LMOW Bootcamp experience? I went to
Volunteer Since 1998 Fort Dix, New Jersey in November 1989. I
left for basic the winter after graduation.
It was very cold in New Jersey. I
Branch and rank? I have been in the remember standing in formation and
Army Reserve for over 30 years. I am willing myself not to be cold.
currently a Lieutenant Colonel.
First assignment? I trained to become
a pharmacy technician at Fort Sam
Motivation to enlist? I have a Houston in San Antonio. We wore
strong family tradition. My dad retired hospital whites most of the time back
from the US Air Force with 26 total years then. That was a challenge in the San
of service. However, he started off his Antonio humidity (but better than being
military career with eight years in the cold). My first assignment was a hospital
Army. My mom had done one enlistment in the Air Force unit in Lubbock.
when I was very young. When a recruiter came to my
high school and talked to me, it seemed natural to join Where was your favorite post while in the
the military. military? I like something about everywhere I have
gone, even Afghanistan. No matter where I go, big or
My mom actually joined the Army Reserve about a small, I always like to check out the post exchange,
month after I did and eventually retired as a Master which is kind of like a military Target store.
Sergeant.
I’d heard that my dad had joined the Army by lying Any special people you met? I married someone I met
about his age; however, after he passed away, I was in my first unit. Actually, I met Alex before I even left for
looking at some of old documents and found out that basic training, but I was still in high school. When I got
he’d actually joined the Army National Guard when he back, we fell in love, got married when he returned from
was 14! He left for active duty Army at age 16. a deployment for Desert Storm, and had two sons. That

70 Lubbock Senior Link