Volunteer Luncheon

Today was the volunteer luncheon at JBLM.  My first that I have attended though I've been volunteering now for three years with this installation.

As soon as I walked in the door I felt out of place.  Not because of what I was wearing because I do know how to dress for these functions but because so many of the attendees were officer's wives with their spouses in tow.

Oh my I felt so alone.  Not one person did I know.  I found two large round tables off to the corner and took the one farther away from the corner.  I didn't want it to look as though I wanted to be alone.  Soon two major's approached me and asked if they could sit at my table.  They were without their spouses and not volunteers since they didn't stand when all volunteers were asked to.  I told them of course they could sit with me as I didn't want to be eating alone at such a large table.  Right after a woman named Kristi came by and asked if she could sit next to me and save seats for her husband and two friends.  No problem there as the table was still quite open.

K's husband, a full bird Col., sits down after introducing himself.  I forgot his first name and couldn't quite the hear the name of the two friends that Kristi had with her.  But we all started up friendly conversation.  I felt right at home shortly there after.

With two Majors and a Colonel at the table I know J would have felt rather uncomfortable and I'm not sure they would have been allowed to sit together because of ranks being mixed.  Its rather tricky with Army protocol.  Besides J is doing much more fun stuff today.  Today he is taking his road test on a STRYKER.  I'd rather be doing the same too since it sounds like so much fun.

I did feel a little odd when the question of how many children do I have was brought up.  I did say that we were still trying but alas I keep miscarrying.  Next question please.  So what installation did you meet your spouse at?  I didn't.  We met at a friend's wedding and realized after meeting that we both were attending the same college.  See I'm a most unusual Army wife: I have no kids, I volunteer even though my husband is lower enlisted, and I didn't meet him while he was in the service.  I was the novelty at the table once they found out that I like to go to the range for stress relief.  Oh and the fact that I also make blankets for wounded warriors. I'm an odd duck.  I make knit, crochet, sew, cook, shoot, bake, craft, volunteer and still some how have no kids.  Must be I need to volunteer for special undercover duty more often to get the kids?

I guess they'll be sending me my certificate of appreciation for volunteerism since I wasn't one of the spotlight people, yes there were nominees, receiving awards.  I loved meeting new people today, felt awkward but soon got over it and left with the feeling that I'm not volunteering enough.  I have no clue where these wonderful people find so much time to volunteer but I'm glad that they do find it because volunteers are always needed.