November 9, 2022 Issue, Page 11 of 17

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November 9, 2022 Army’s a Place Jon Greene Became a Man By Sheryl Ponce chaplain) when you're walk- want to talk to the chaplain, in it that still jump out of Elk City Public School his- ing around, that’s not say- they could talk to me. We airplanes. That was the last tory teacher, Jon Greene, ing you need to be super re- could get it fixed and help one of the most prestigious graduated from ECHS in ligious or anything like that. them get services that they divisions in regular army 2006. He then enlisted in the But people are watching you,” needed. I mean, the chaplain units. The 101st don’t jump US Army, and that is where Greene explained. and I were everybody's bud- out of airplanes anymore. he found the place to grow up He went on to say that dy,” he continued. But we were on 24-hour call, a little bit and see the world. when they were traveling, When the chaplain showed and every now and then if “I started building my own and if he got in even a little up on a something bad happened, we site, he always life without anybody helping brought goodies or some- would get a call. Within 24 bit of trouble, the whole bat- me. WhenIjoined it was at talion would know about it. thing that was a good experi- hours we would be in a coun- the height of everything go- This was because of who he ence for the soldiers. try somewhere. We would al- ing on in Iraq and Afghani- was, and who he worked for, “When he (the chaplain) ways have to be ready to go,” stan and after the twin tow- but it was the job he wanted. went around it was really Greene said. ers were bombed. There was a “You don’t talk to a re- cool, because I think when He added that he jumped lot of pride in joining during cruiter and go in looking at they saw us, they perked up a onto an airfield once, but it that time,” Greene said. jobs and stuff. They showed little bit. They at least knew was an old way of doing the He became a Chaplain As- me this little video that was that the chaplain brought job. sistant with the 3rd Squad- absolutely untrue about what something for them, some- “It was still a pretty cool ron 73rd Cavalry 1st Brigade the job was, but it was really thing good,” Greene laughed. experience. And I guess we Combat Team 82nd Airborne cool. They were kind of like When he first joined the were the top 10 percent of Division. He found the posi- a car dealer that got to me. Army and after his job train- the military because nobody tion to be unique because as But it ended up being a really ing, Greene had orders to go really does that anymore.” a private he was working for good job, and I wouldn’t want to the 82nd Air Borne Divi- Greene re-enlisted for a a Captain, which made him to do anything different. It sion, where he learned to second tour because his wife, learn quickly. was really good,” Greene said. skydive. Casey, and he were trying to “Most young soldiers just As a chaplain’s assistant, “I was one of the most finish their undergraduate go to a battalion or a compa- Greene was able to make an physically fit guys there. They degrees. That was when he ny, and here I am as a private impact on other soldiers. He were like, ‘Well, it'd be a good had the opportunity to go when I first joined working found that a lot of them were idea for you to go to Airborne with the special forces for the for a captain. It was just me scared, really scared, but did School because you're going next four years. and him, the chaplain. I feel not want to talk to the chap- to have to go anyway’ So I “J got to go to the Seventh like what most military guys lain. This was because the went to Airborne School. I Special Forces Group. I was don’t get is that you’re work- chaplain may have seemed skydived out of airplanes in still a traveling assist. I didn’t ing straight for an officer. So too religious to them, so they a three-week course in Geor- know I wasn’t a Green Beret, you have to mind your P's talked to Greene. gia. Then I went to the 82nd but they still need support and Q’s a little bit, and you’re “Tt was good to have an en- Airborne Division, which is soldiers. In every battalion working for the chaplain, too. listed soldier there, that if the last airborne division in they're going to go through a You can’t be a problem. You they’re having problems with the army. There’s not a divi- quick interview process. It are a reflection of him (the something and didn’t really sion with 20,000 soldiers See Greene page 5. #POWER >ON Midwest Farm Supply ‘580-928-3366 * www.nfecoop.com 220 N. Main, Elk City, OK 73644 ¢ 580-225-2003 “The willingness of America’s veterans We would like to express our gratitude to all the Veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned around the world for their service! them our lasting gratitude. ” Kilhoffer Flooring Center . - Jeff Miller DBA Bell’s Carpet “Quality at Affordable Prices” Sixth & Main « Elk City, OK 73644 Janice’s Cafe 2103 S. 580.303.9022 Main Street, Elk City, OK eee TERRY'S NI (580)225-4006 OR (800)925-4006 Toy Box SHOWROOM 2001 SOUTH MAIN lersturnitureshowroomcom Through Hutton Inc 19676 Rte GEN, 19678 W State Hwy 66, saurdy Elk City, OK 73644 BLK CITY, OKLAHOMA Elk City, OK 73644 ‘580-225-0225 580-225-0225