It is always difficult to make changes in your life, whether
you elect to change something or the change is thrust upon you. Some research
tells us longevity is dictated by the way you are able to make changes. Changes
are coming our way as we change from serving a Military Affairs assignment in
the Rome Italy Mission to returning to civilians back in the U.S. Some things will be difficult; some things
will be welcomed.
Top of the list of difficult will be people! President and Sorella Pickerd are among the
finest, spiritual giants I have known. We have had the great blessing and honor
of meeting and working with amazing missionaries both senior couples and young
Anzaini and Sorelle, Catania Ward, Sigonella Branch and military personnel on
NAS Sigonella. We had the great privilege of serving military families through
the USO, The Red Cross, MWR, and the Sigonella Base Library. We never say, “goodbye “we always say, “see
you next round” in the military and I certainly hope that become my reality.
NAS Sigonella Branch May 2019 |
We worked with and taught four people in part members
families assigned to Sigonella, who were baptized along with one child of
record baptism. We actually used the Base Chapel Baptismal font for one, it was
an interesting combination of an infant baptism font and adult baptismal font
all in one, to suit the needs of all faiths represented in the Base Chapel, one
was a beach baptism in Aci Terreza, twins and a 22 year old in the baptismal
font in the Catania Chapel.
We were the only senior couple on the island of Sicily; we
did apartment inspections in 20 apartments every six weeks. While that sounds like drudgery, we tried to
make it an adventure. We always took an
American treat from the base commissary to each set of missionaries. It seemed like Christmas as we delivered Dr.
Pepper, A&W Root Beer, Pop Tarts, Twizzlers,
Doritos, Reese’s peanut butter everything, cake mixes, bathroom spray, all
kinds or cereal, any random item was always much appreciated. They were so delighted and fun to watch. Sometimes
we found appliances at the Base Thrift Shop that military families couldn’t
return back to the U.S. so a toaster, blenders, sharp knives, crock pots,
things we always take for granted were delivered to missionary apartments. They always knew there would be a surprise!
We loved it. On the flip side we drove
and experienced all the wonders of the entire island as we traversed for
apartment inspections. Our favorite was
crossing the Straits of Messina with the car on the ferry to Reggio
Calabria. That was always a mystery and
a little intrigue as that was a Mafia controlled business.
The Apartments on Sicily |
Gelato, granita, cannoli and bombas are in a category of their
own and the main reason we needed to go to the gym every day!
The NAS Sigonella Base Gym became our regular entertainment. At the end of the day wherever we were we
always tried to swing by the base gym.
We always carried or gym clothes in the trunk of our little Yaris just
in case we had extra time. It was a great facility and we became first name
friends with the gym attendants. We were
never asked for our ID, we were always greeted with a smile. It was a delight!
Navy Awards for the Optometry Clinic |
Carrying water and groceries four floors will not be missed!
Although we did count that as part of our daily exercise. Carrying garbage down
four floors daily will not be missed. No garbage disposal will not be missed;
no clothes dryer will not be missed. Italian drivers will not be missed, horns
honking constantly will not be missed.
I consider it among the blessings of my life to have lived
and served as Military Affairs Missionaries in the Rome Italy Mission assigned
to Naval Air Station Sigonella. That experience will certainly be missed.