Wagner Memories - Tina Villareal Dean '79

Today, May 9th, is Military Spouse Day. In a proclamation by our commander in chief, it states that " Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America's Armed Forces during times of war and peace." And no one knows about that nobility of duty better than our group.

So today it is fitting that we highlight a Wagnerite who, along with being an Air Force brat, is a Military Spouse and whose husband, Mike, is going to Iraq for his fourth tour. Yes, you read that correctly - the third time was not the charm. The Commander of a National Guard Aviation unit in Phoenix, Mike is leaving his wife and their two young girls for yet another trip to Iraq. Being military brats (Mike's dad was in the Navy) helps them roll with the punches as Tina says, but it is hard to have Mike gone since their kids are still young.

So today, salute Tina and all those like her that hold down the fort while their Military Spouse is far from home. Reflecting on some good times, here are Tina's Wagner memories.....

What was your first impression of Clark and Wagner? The humidity – ugh – what happened to my hair? It was perpetually fuzzy after we arrived. I thought Wagner was so cool because the “halls” and lockers were outside.

What surprised you the most about the Philippines? What did you like best about living there? I loved it. We lived off-base at first and I really liked how different the house styles were and the tropical vegetation. I was already familiar with earthquakes since we had already lived through some in California. The people were very friendly and going to the market seemed like such an interesting adventure.

Did you really miss anything from the States and if so, what? I missed pizza! The imitation pizza in the PI just never seemed to cut it.

Who were your good buddies? I liked a lot of people from different groups and even ages, but I mostly seemed to hang out with Jenelle Deprez and Renee Livingston as well as Laura Pasek and Lisa Acevedo. Myrna Nickelsen and Karen Trevino were very nice as well as my swim team and volleyball pals.

Where did you hang out? The Sophomore wing

Did you have a part time job - what was it? I once had a temporary summer job at the vault where they stored the money for the bank, etc. As I recall, there was 1.2 million dollars in there. One day I accidentally stepped on a little button the floor. We were behind glass security windows when suddenly we were surrounded by MP’s and police dogs. They thought there was a bank robbery. Oops, false alarm.

Do you think your experience living overseas made you a better person? I’m not sure but some friends of mine think I tend to do things they aren’t sure they would try. Right now I’m thinking of enrolling my girls in a school in Mexico for the Spanish immersion opportunity. They are 4 and 7 yrs old. I’ve got a bit of ex-pat in me.

Pictures: #1 - Tina's Senior Picture  #2 - Tina with Antoine Holmes '75 and Karen Trevino '78 at the San Diego reunion.  #3 - Tina with Mike O'Brien '79 at the dinner/dance in San Diego.  #4 - Tina with husband Mike and daughters Bevin & Paige. To contact Tina, click here.

Comments

[Myrna Nickelsen]

Christina! My attempt at adjusting to your adult name although you will always be Tina to me.

Wow! I hadn't heard that vault story!

I say go for it on immersing the girls in the Spanish language! At the very least, they'll get the sounds down before their brains become hardwired -- and if they do become fluent, well, you know that's always an advantage.

Sorry to hear about Mike having to be in Iraq again. Hope you and the girls are doing well -- and I will talk to you soon.

[Ed Welch]

Tina,

A big salute to you and all military spouses during this time especially. I wish your husband and all military personnel over there Godspeed and a safe return. Hopefully, the nation will address this in November and Barack and or Hillary will hasten the permanent return of everyone’s family members’ back to the U.S. safe and sound.