Overseas Soldier Returns After Seven Years
- January 07, 2007 - When Missourian Robert Landes and family prepared for his first overseas military tour in 1999, they didn"t realize what they were getting into. Landes, an Army reservist who had recently reenlisted for active duty, expected a normal, three-year stint in Germany. Instead, their time overseas ended up being over twice that amount.
Then an Army Specialist (SPC), Landes headed out for Stuttgart, Germany in late December 1999; his wife, Vicki and their nine-month-old son Brady would follow in February 2000. SPC Landes was to become one of a handful of military police officers in overall U.S. Army Europe to specialize in customs - U.S. Department of Agriculture policies and procedures for overseas personnel and for items and equipment returning to the United States.
Their tour would have ended in December 2002 but by that time, the Landes family had become accustomed to living in Germany and wanted a bit more time overseas. Robert had been promoted once and was already an expert at the customs system. Vicki was employed at the European Command in Stuttgart and quickly moving up the ranks as a Department of Army Civilian while Brady was happily learning new things at the post Child Development Center. The family traveled quite a bit on the weekends while getting to know Germany and the surrounding countries. The U.S. had just suffered a crippling blow by terrorists on September 11th and Landes knew he was needed right where he was. He chose to extend his stay in the Army and serve his country for another tour.
By 2006, Robert had been promoted again and given another specialized job within customs that even fewer soldiers receive. He was working hand-in-hand with international agencies, customs offices, and militaries while ensuring U.S. laws were upheld through focused investigations. Vicki had been awarded the European Command"s esteemed "Civilian of the Year" award for her humanitarian work in over 60 countries throughout Europe and Africa. The family had traveled so much that Vicki was able to publish her first book, "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal" - a mixture of stunning photography and creative writing covering 15 countries. See www.EuropeForTheSenses.com for more information on her book.
In November 2006, now newly-reenlisted Staff Sergeant (SSG) Robert Landes received official U.S. Army orders to return to the states for his next military tour assignment. The family packed up and flew to Ft. Jackson a week before Christmas - a mere eleven days shy of Landes" arrival anniversary in Germany seven years ago. Despite being outside of the United States border and away from family and friends, the Landes" consider this extra long tour of duty to be the best experience they"ve ever had.
SSG Landes will continue to serve his country at Columbia, South Carolina. He"s looking forward to delving into his favorite pastime - history - by exploring the many Revolutionary War and Civil War battlefields, museums, and monuments that the area has to offer. Vicki plans to publish a second book - one that will encompass all 45 countries she"s explored. Another overseas tour for the family is not out of the question...
07.01.2007 - 10:44 Source: 24-7pressrelease.com | Read: 340 X
