ALLISON BATDORFF Billings Gazette | Posted: Wednesday, July 6, 2005 12:00 am
CODY (LEE) - Before the big moment, Army Capt. Ryan Maender reassured the 12 nervous people joining or re-joining the U.S. Army Monday night.
"Relax - Semper Gumby is the name of the game," he joked.
Remember that even Gen. Peter Schoomaker once stood in their boots.
"Don't get that awe-struck 1,000-yard stare and be blinded by the four stars on the general's Stetson," Maender said. "He's just a regular guy."
Lastly, know that pledging their service to the United States of America on the Fourth of July in a ceremony presided by the Army's Chief of Staff comes gives them big time "bragging rights."
"Whether you're in the Army four years or a lifetime, this is a very unique experience," said Maender.
The military hopefuls took their oaths in front of thousands at the Cody Stampede Rodeo Monday. Ten took the Oath of Allegiance and two staff sergeants took the Oath of Re-enlistment. All were administered by Schoomaker.
General Schoomaker was on Stampede Parade detail on Sunday and Monday as the Grand Marshal. He became the 35th Chief of Staff of the United States Army on August 1, 2003. He considers Wyoming home, as he graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1969. Schoomaker spent 31 years in a variety of command and staff posts and participated in military operations in Iran, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Haiti and the Balkans.
"I learned about the general in the chain of command during basic training," said Sam Merfeld, 18, of Roundup, Mont. "You think of officers as being so far away. I never imagined getting this close to a four-star general."
Participating in this ceremony "makes him feel proud," said Terry Lynch, 18, of Shepherd, Mont. He leaves for basic training this week.
"I wanted to give back to my country," Lynch said.
Cody resident Mollie Nace, 18, knows she has a fifty-fifty chance at being shipped to Iraq. She's OK with that, she said.
"In a time of war, few people are willing to serve their country, but I am," Nace said.
"If I get shipped, then I get shipped, and maybe I'll go in place of someone else, who has a family and kids."
Having the general induct her on the Independence Day is an honor, she added.
"It's amazing," Nace said. "I'm so glad to be able to do this."