It’s all in the 10th Mountain Family

If you pass a house with four blue stars in its window, don’t assume it’s a general’s residence. Kim Lanning – wife, sister, cousin and sister-in-law to 10th Mountain Division Soldiers – gives new meaning to the expression “keep the home fires burning,” as she waits for not one, but four family members to return from Afghanistan.

With four family members deployed to Bagram, Lanning could hang a service flag with four blue stars on it. Her sister, Sgt. Sandra Wallace, 110th Military Intelligence Battalion, has been stationed in Bagram since December. Lanning’s husband, Spec. Jeremy Lanning, 41st Engineer Battalion, left Aug. 5 for Bagram. Her cousin, Staff Sgt. Larry Adams, Jr., and her brother-in-law, Sgt. John Nelson, are both stationed with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. They deployed to Bagram a week after Lanning.

The Fort Drum family connection doesn’t end there, however. Lanning’s and Wallace’s father, retired Master Sgt. John Wallace, Sr., served here from 1992 until he retired in 1996. After he retired, the Wallace family remained in the Fort Drum area. Lanning met her future husband in 2002, on her father’s birthday.

In addition, Lanning’s uncle, retired Chief Warrant Officer Larry Adams, Sr., served at Fort Drum with 10th Aviation Brigade at the same time as his brother-in-law in 1992.

Wallace said her family’s habit of being stationed at Fort Drum is purely coincidental. Having relatives on an overseas tour is a welcome coincidence, however.

“We don’t really get much time to all hang out together, but even just hanging out with one at a time gives me the feeling of joy,” Wallace said via e-mail. “With the time I have to spend with my brother-in-law, we play cards, watch movies, eat chow or even just sit around.”

Wallace said when she spent time with her cousin, they ate chow, watched movies and went to karaoke together.

Both Wallace and Lanning said having family members serving together in Bagram is a great comfort to their loved ones at home.

“Before I got deployed, I always wondered how they were and what they were doing,” Wallace said. “Since I am here with them, I know how they are doing most of the time. Throughout the day, I wonder how they are while they are on their missions, and I pray that they are safe.”

“My mom and dad and I don’t get as worried about my sister,” since she has family in Bagram, Lanning said. “If I don’t talk to one of them, I talk to the other, and they can tell me how they’re doing.”

Lanning said she communicates with her deployed family members frequently. Occasionally she receives group phone calls from them.

“Sometimes they call together from the same office,” she said. “One time, I spoke to my cousin, my sister, and my husband at the same time. My cousin and brother-in-law go out for a long time (on patrols), so I don’t hear from them as much, but I’m used to it, I grew up with it.”

Lanning said having a close-knit family in the Fort Drum area is another benefit.

“We have barbecues, and we talk about who did what,” Lanning said. “My brother (John Wallace, Jr.) and I sit around and make fun of everyone else because we can sleep in and they can’t.”

Wallace also said she appreciates having a family to come home to.

“Being a single parent, it helps having my family nearby,” Wallace said.

Everyone, including Wallace’s child, Bruce, is looking forward to his or her family’s return, Lanning said.

“My nephew picks up the phone all the time hoping it’s his mother,” she said. “We’re all excited to have them come back.”

Lanning said Wallace expects to return in a few weeks. All four family members are due to return by June, and Lanning is preparing for them by making signs.

“Making four signs are more fun than making just one,” she said. “Once you finish a sign you want to make another.”

Both Wallace and Lanning said they understand the importance of the job their family members and the Army are doing.

“We support everyone over there and what they’re accomplishing,” Lanning said. “We miss them – can’t wait for them to come home.”

“I feel it is important for what we are doing because I want my son and all the families in the U.S. to have a safe life and not have to worry about terrorism,” Wallace said.