Dear readers: This will continue the military history of our third soldier to carry the Shield Bible, Doug Adair, following Elmer J. Probst Jr. and Aime Jo Beeks.
In 2003, Doug’s battalion was mobilized for the Iraq War and sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, where they would conduct pre-deployment training. The soldiers were from various posts and had not previously trained together. Doug remembers that period as one of the best times in his military career, drilling together over a period of weeks, building cohesiveness and camaraderie.
Once dispatched, they landed in Kuwait and advanced by convoy to Baghdad. Back home, to show solidarity with our troops, we formed a human chain representing “hands across America” and made a video.
Doug recalls, “About six months into my first Iraq tour, I received a videotape from home. It was Christmastime and quite cold. The only VHS player was in a room where there was no heat. I sat there by myself and watched a video my family had made with everyone wishing me a Merry Christmas.”
When the tour was over and Doug’s battalion arrived back in Seattle, a sizable group of family and friends was on hand with signs and flags to welcome them home. Returning to Las Vegas, Doug found work in home building and resumed weekend National Guard drills in Utah.
Eighteen months later, in 2005, the Army again required Doug’s service in Iraq. Promoted to Command Sergeant Major, Doug found himself back at Fort Leonard Wood for pre-deployment train-up, where 21 years earlier he had basic training as a private. Doug describes his nostalgia walking past his old barracks and eating in the same mess hall.
What was entirely new was the respect afforded his E-9 rank. He recounts this experience: “Once a drill sergeant noticed a private did not properly address me in the mess hall. He locked up that poor young soldier and dressed him down in front of the entire line. The room got quiet and everyone, including the drill sergeant, looked at me for a response, to which I replied, ‘Carry on.’” It was just a matter of protocol.
For field training, the battalion convoyed to Fort Riley, Kansas. When passing through Kansas City — with some strategic timing and brother Jeff’s connections — the troops enjoyed a free lunch at Jack Stack Barbecue, a nice sendoff for their impending departure to Baghdad. Their mission was to rebuild what had previously been bombed out.
Thankfully, Doug returned home safely with the little Shield Bible that had been his Uncle Junior’s and cousin Aime’s. Somehow, while in Iraq, he found time to memorize the poem recorded by Johnny Cash, “Ragged Old Flag.” At Handy, we held a Veterans Day flag ceremony and, after hoisting the flag, Doug recited that poem for us.
In July 2009, after 25 years and three months, Doug finally retired from the National Guard. Among his commendations, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
The photo accompanying this column shows Doug in full dress uniform is from a Brooks & Dunn concert in Las Vegas where he led the onstage military tribute in their finale, “Only in America.” Although still fully employed on the civilian side, this year Doug became eligible for National Guard retirement benefits.
Well done, Doug! Enjoy!
Maggie Adair is a native of Handy near the Oregon-Ripley County line, about eight miles east of Wilderness. Eighth in the family of Elmer and Catherine Probst, she left at 17 for college in Kansas City where she married, raised a family and pursued a varied career. Always maintaining her roots in Handy, she is now retired and manages to reside in both places.
