3rd ACR’s 2nd Squadron begins returning to Fort Hood
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 9 2009 03:56 AM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily HeraldFORT HOOD – Bargaining with a 2-year-old is easier with candy.
Oscar Diano tempted Jake with a sucker. Jake inched step-by-step, just within reach of the Dum Dum pop before Oscar pulled it toward his chest. Jake ran back to his mother and buried his face in her chest.
Oscar tried again – slower this time. Jake got closer and closer and closer, stretching his arm and straining. Oscar popped the sucker in his mouth and Jake ran.
Jake finally got that sucker and Oscar nearly got his hug. Give it time, Jake's mother, Kim, said. It took Jake two weeks to warm up to his grandma, after all, and it would take a little time for daddy, too.
Maj. Oscar Diano returned to Fort Hood after 15 months in Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's 2nd Squadron. More than 200 regimental soldiers returned Thursday and more are expected to arrive today.
When Oscar left, his son was only 9 months old. Jake points to photos of men in uniform and "he knows 'da-da' by when the phone rings," Kim said Thursday while waiting for the soldiers to arrive at Starker Physical Fitness Center.
She guessed that Jake wouldn't recognize Oscar.
"I hope so, but probably not," she said.
Kim and Oscar talked about what to do when he and Jake were finally face to face. Experts say that returning soldiers should not pick up toddlers, but get down on the ground at their level.
"We'll just take our own time," Kim said, echoing Oscar's solution.
She didn't know he had candy up his sleeve.
Soon, Jake will have to get used to another face. The Dianos second son is due on Jan. 15.
"He came home in April, dropped this off and is coming back in January to pick it up," Kim joked of Oscar while pointing to her round belly.
Not having Oscar at home to see Jake grow up was the hardest part about the deployment, Kim said. He didn't see his son's first steps or his first time eating solid food.
"That makes it very, very hard," Kim said.
This is the Dianos' first long deployment apart. Oscar spent six months in Iraq when they were dating more than 3 years ago. She credited the rear detachment and family readiness support assistants for helping her and other spouses get through the separation.
If this week didn't already contain enough family milestones, Kim's birthday was Wednesday. She is 36 now and "pulling it off!"
Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at
astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.