March 2007

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How a Peacemaker Supported Our Troops
by Pam Frankenfield

Can we support our troops AND be peacemakers? What follows is one possible way to do both.

On February 7 th of this year, I headed for a two week visit to California. My mission was to assist an aging aunt and to visit my relatives in the Sacramento area. I know I would be busy, but as always, I looked forward to the reunion with family. Little did I know that on this same trip I would play a role in reuniting a soldier with his family and, in doing so, possibly save the lives of four persons.

It began with a phone conversation with my niece’s mother, who had by necessity moved in with her stepdaughter-in-law. Lisa, the woman on the phone, told me that Becky, her stepdaughter, was pregnant with triplets and due to give birth in early April. Becky already had two children, both pre-schoolers, living with her in the apartment. Due to her husband Ariel’s military service, he was unable to assist her, as he was stationed at an Army training school far away. Lisa’s husband, Dan, a U.S. Army Reservist, was currently serving in the Middle East and could not be of local assistance. Becky’s mother, also in the military, lived in Texas. This was a family who were challenged by distance and circumstances beyond their control. There were only a few friends, and they had their own families to take care of. Lisa had been living with Becky for several weeks, prior to my arrival, taking care of the shopping, the children, and all the household chores, and trying to get her own daughter, my niece Brianna, to and from school and activities. Lisa had all but quit her job to help Becky.

The family had communicated with the Army in this matter. Becky’s doctor had, at Becky’s request, sent a Fax to Ariel’s command in January, telling the command that Becky would soon be on bed rest for medical reasons, and that she was at risk for losing the babies and possibly for serious complications with the pregnancy. The letter would give anyone reading it the idea that her spouse was needed at home. The Army had not responded, despite Ariel’s persistent inquiries. It is important to understand that Ariel, a PFC (Private First Class), might be somewhat intimidated by the process, being new to the Army and to its bureaucratic methods.

Enter Pam Frankenfield, private citizen, U.S. Navy veteran, wife of a retired naval officer, and mother of a current U.S. Army service member. I first obtained permission from Becky and Ariel to contact his command. After I talked to the senior enlisted staff member and briefed her on the current situation, she advised me that they were “working on the problem.” Feeling that appropriate action might take more time if left in the hands of the Army, I decided to contact other agencies who might help. After several known agencies were unable to help due to their guidelines, I called my daughter. She told me about an agency called Military One Source.

Evidently this agency, a part of the Department of Defense, is not known to the average soldier. After I called them, they advised me that the United Way in Sacramento was the agency that could help. After contacting United Way, it was only a short while until Ariel was home and reunited with Becky. In due course the United Way had instructed Becky and Ariel as to their rights, and Ariel’s congressional representative was contacted. It has been my experience that once the U. S. Representative is in on the problem, the appropriate action is usually taken by the military.

At this writing, the soldier and his family are living in Texas on post. Becky is receiving pre-natal care and living near her mother in Texas. Ariel’s duty station has been changed to the post on which they live. The family is together, awaiting the birth of the triplets.

Postscript: Lisa has resumed her employment. My aunt received the assistance she needed. My cousins, my niece and family, and I had a good visit. But the most memorable event of that trip may have been that I, a common citizen, was able to help a soldier reunite with his family in time to assist with the birth of their triplets. Never underestimate the power of one person to change a difficult situation when we have the right information. For those who have family or friends in the military, keep this message near your important papers: www.militaryonesource.com, phone 24/7 at 1-800-342-9647. And keep the peace!

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Last updated June 6, 2007

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