TSGT Benjamin Parish - 2007
After basic training, he spent four months in tech school, training to become a Special Maintanance Vehicle Mechanic. School was located in Oxnard, California at Port Hueneme (Navy base). Christy and Christian were able to go over for three of the four months to be with daddy. Christian was 1½ and was a hit with all of the young Airmen. After training, Ben's first duty station was at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC. Living in Goldsboro was very interesting. We were a newly married couple and new to the Air Force way of life. We lived on base in a small three bedroom, one bath duplex. We lived there for two years and 3 months before moving to our first overseas assignment, Ramstein AB, Germany.
We were very excited to move to Ramstein AB in Feb 2003. We had really bad sponsors that told us we should live on base; we trusted them and this is what we ended up with ↑. We lived on the third floor and did not have a balcony or an elevator. At the time, we had two little ones. Christian was 4 and Brittney was 1½. Dealing with them and grocery day was very challenging while living in these conditions. It was very interesting living in a different country. We toured Europe as much as we could on an E3 - E5 salary. After our three years was up in Germany, we were sent back to the states for our third assignement......all the way to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. We loved living in the desert. It was beautiful and we just loved the climate there. We spent a lot of time touring the land in our 4X4 truck and four wheelers. The mountain you see behind Ben and the kids here is the Sandia Mountain which means "Watermelon" in Spanish.
They call it this because when the sun sets, the mountain turns every shade of pink. It is absolutely gorgeous. Ben, my brother -Jonathan, and I learned to ski on that mountain. We went to ski school and it was tons of fun. We all picked it up pretty easily and had a great time, even though it was a little icy because it was the last day of the ski season. While we lived in Albuquerque, we had our first home built.
We were very excited to finally have our very own home after living on base for over five years. Since the military decided to move us again, we only owned this home for 10 months. It was really no big deal because we actually made money on the sale of the house. The first of August, 2005, we were moved back to Ramstein AB, Germany.....yes, the same, exact place we were only 2½ years before. We were very happy about this move. We actually are happy about all of our moves and make the best of wherever the Air Force sends us. I actually get ancy if we are somewhere for too long. We actually missed being overseas and put Ramstein back on our wish list. Sure enough, they sent us right back. 
Moving back to Germany felt like we were just moving home. It was all very familiar this time and we didn't have the anxiety and wonder about moving to a new place; afterall, we had been there before. This time, we were able to live off base and were very happy to be emerged into the German way of life. The photo you see here was our home in the village of Albersbach. This was a duplex and we lived on the left side.
Ben has been a proud member of the United States Air Force since April of 1997, and attended basic training in San Antonio, TX at Lackland AFB. This was him showing us where he had spent the previous 8 weeks and we were very proud of him.
After basic training, he spent four months in tech school, training to become a Special Maintanance Vehicle Mechanic. School was located in Oxnard, California at Port Hueneme (Navy base). Christy and Christian were able to go over for three of the four months to be with daddy. Christian was 1½ and was a hit with all of the young Airmen. After training, Ben's first duty station was at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC. Living in Goldsboro was very interesting. We were a newly married couple and new to the Air Force way of life. We lived on base in a small three bedroom, one bath duplex. We lived there for two years and 3 months before moving to our first overseas assignment, Ramstein AB, Germany.
We were very excited to move to Ramstein AB in Feb 2003. We had really bad sponsors that told us we should live on base; we trusted them and this is what we ended up with ↑. We lived on the third floor and did not have a balcony or an elevator. At the time, we had two little ones. Christian was 4 and Brittney was 1½. Dealing with them and grocery day was very challenging while living in these conditions. It was very interesting living in a different country. We toured Europe as much as we could on an E3 - E5 salary. After our three years was up in Germany, we were sent back to the states for our third assignement......all the way to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. We loved living in the desert. It was beautiful and we just loved the climate there. We spent a lot of time touring the land in our 4X4 truck and four wheelers. The mountain you see behind Ben and the kids here is the Sandia Mountain which means "Watermelon" in Spanish.
They call it this because when the sun sets, the mountain turns every shade of pink. It is absolutely gorgeous. Ben, my brother -Jonathan, and I learned to ski on that mountain. We went to ski school and it was tons of fun. We all picked it up pretty easily and had a great time, even though it was a little icy because it was the last day of the ski season. While we lived in Albuquerque, we had our first home built.
We were very excited to finally have our very own home after living on base for over five years. Since the military decided to move us again, we only owned this home for 10 months. It was really no big deal because we actually made money on the sale of the house. The first of August, 2005, we were moved back to Ramstein AB, Germany.....yes, the same, exact place we were only 2½ years before. We were very happy about this move. We actually are happy about all of our moves and make the best of wherever the Air Force sends us. I actually get ancy if we are somewhere for too long. We actually missed being overseas and put Ramstein back on our wish list. Sure enough, they sent us right back. 
Moving back to Germany felt like we were just moving home. It was all very familiar this time and we didn't have the anxiety and wonder about moving to a new place; afterall, we had been there before. This time, we were able to live off base and were very happy to be emerged into the German way of life. The photo you see here was our home in the village of Albersbach. This was a duplex and we lived on the left side. This was our village, tucked away in the middle of the German landscaping. We used to walk on the little farmers roads all around the fields. Just breathtaking!
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| Headquarters Air Force Personnel |
Our Germany assignment was supposed to be for four years, but it got cut short when Ben was chosen for a job at the Air Force level and is was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington D.C. We ended up being in Germany for only 3 yrs, 3 months before moving to D.C.
We really loved living so close to our Nation's Capitol and took full advantage of it. We visited downtown D.C. very often via the Metro. We enjoyed having picnics on the National Mall and touring the museums, and were also able to go to the Inauguration of President Obama. It was really an experience to be a part of all the festivities and a great part of history.
The Parish Family in Washington D.C. - December 2008
The White House on the 4th of July
The Washington Monument
The Jefferson Memorial
Ben's time in D.C was also supposed to be a four year controlled tour, but someone didn't code his name right and this made him look available for orders. So, at his two year mark of being in D.C., he got an email saying, "Congratulations, you have orders to Korea!" So, in December of 2010, just two years and 1 month after moving to the D.C. area, we moved again! This time, Ben moved us to Scott AFB in Southern Illinois. This is the base he will be stationed at after his time in Korea. We were very surprised and pressed for time. In just 2½ months, we found out about Ben's orders to Korea, managed to sell our home in Virginia in just 2½ weeks, bought a new home in Illinois, and got moved! Wow! We are thrilled that everything worked out so perfectly. The movers left our home in VA on a Wednesday, and delivered our stuff to our new home the following Tuesday....just before Christmas! We are firm believers that everything happens for a reason and we are very excited to be on this new journey. We are getting settled into our home nicely and are enjoying the slower paced area we have moved to. We were very lucky that Ben was able to get us moved and had two weeks to help us get the house together before he left for Korea. He is assigned to Kunsan and will return in June for almost a month long vacation. He will then have to go back and work until he can come home for good next January. Ben is currently running the Snow Barn and making sure all of the snow removal equipment stays in working order. In a week or two, he will be overseeing all three vehicle maintanance shops; main shop, snow barn, and fire truck. He seems to be doing well and has gotten into a routine of going to the gym, working, and playing. He also has just recently started playing on the base soccer team and is very excited about that.
This is a photo of him in his chem gear. They were having an exercise to practice for an inspection. He was actually typing/messaging me on the computer when this photo was taken. Poor thing!
Our new home is just East of St. Louis - about 16 miles!
Our new home covered in snow! We will post more pictures in the spring, once we have grass and flowers!
Ben just re-enlisted in February so that he could transfer his GI Bill benefits to me, so that I can go to nursing school. Thanks so much baby! I am so proud of you and what you stand for!
In April 2011, Ben will sew on Master Sergeant - Congratulations baby! The photos below are from his promotion banquet that was held last June, just after the promotion results were given.
Entries below are listed newest to oldest
12/10 Ben was awarded his second Meritorious Service Medal for his tour at the Pentagon. Great job baby!
10/08 Ben was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his last tour at Ramstien AB. Good job baby! This award is not often awarded to Junior NCO's - I am very proud of you baby!
10/08 Ben was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his last tour at Ramstien AB. Good job baby! This award is not often awarded to Junior NCO's - I am very proud of you baby!
5/08 Ben had to attend the NCO Academy which is required to sew on his next rank. This was the photo from his graduation.
3/08 Ben won NCO of the year and this was from the awards banquet that we went to. I am so proud of my Airman! It is always fun to dress up; Love your new uniform baby. This banquet was held at the Ramstein Officer's Club.
2/29/08Another 4 years....Ben reenlisted on February 29, 2008 on top of the Air Traffic Control Tower. Rue (Lt. Col. Flores) was very nice to do this for Ben and to show us around as well. Thank you Rue!
