The Wahrmund Family: Rodney's Visit

I recently reconnected on Facebook with some old friends from Eugene, Oregon. We met Christie and Rodney when Jay made the move back to Oregon and transferred from the Nebraska Army National Guard to the Oregon unit in 1999, before we were married. Rodney and Jay were both 2nd Lieutenant platoon leaders and became buddies quick; and Christie and I kept each other entertained while the guys were away. They first went to Germany for training (a trip Jay barely made back to the states in time for our wedding!)

Here they are taking a leisure day in Germany

Then in early 2001, they both went to Fort Benning, Georgia for three months to attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC). Christie and I, and their little one Jazzlinn, made the trek across country, flew into Atlanta and drove the two hours south to Fort Benning to visit them for a weekend. Here they are pictured after one of the times we met up together for lunch while in Georgia (not sure why back then we didn't do a group shot...):

The only thing I remember about that plane ride is that Jazzy didn't like it one bit!!

Ah, the joys of traveling with toddlers - such fun!

Unfortunately, Rodney injured his ankle while at Ft Benning, a few weeks shy of graduation, and was unable to finish the course. He was the honor graduate for the entire class and sadly had to miss the ceremony. He then resigned his commission with the National Guard and joined the Eugene Police Department. Here they are pictured at Rodney's graduation from the Police Academy in 2002 (again, not sure why we didn't do a group shot, instead I just have random pictures of them!):

We moved away that same year, to report for duty with the Coast Guard, and hadn't seen them since then. Now with Facebook, we've been able to reconnect, so when Christie told me Rodney would be in DC for National Police Week, it was a must that we get together. Rodney ended up taking a whole day out of his four days here, renting a car, and coming down to Virginia to see us. He stayed the entire day when he could've been doing sightseeing or police stuff....it was a great time hanging out and catching up!