William Mathenia:  

o Vietnam. So, I went there and was assigned to the US Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam. In July 1975 I was married to a girl stationed at Letterman named Deborah. We had a Catholic Wedding at Saint Josephs Catholic Church in Mcpherson Kansas. I was enroute to go back to Germany. I was assigned to 147 AG Postal Detachment at Heidelberg.My wife joined me shortly after assigned to 130th Sta Hospital. From here I will just tell the highs and lows. While there I was a member of the Heidelberg Hoedowners and we danced all over Europe. In 1977 my first daughter Crystal was born. I was very elated. I kept my nose clean in Heidelberg, Germany except for drinking with friends and smoking maryjane once in awhile. I had been drinking a few beers after working and I was going home when my car collided with a small sports car turning over. My car was a 1974 Volvo. I was cited and had to pay a lot. I spent two weeks on barracks arrest for fighting with my wife. In 1979, I returned to the states and was assigned to 24th Infantry Division Fort Stewart, Georgia. I was further assigned to duty at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. I had curtailed my drinking and started going back to college on base. In June 1982, I received word my wife's Grandfather had died and my father had died in a fatal accident. I rushed home to Tulare and took care of all arrangements. Also, in August 1982, my second daughter Tina was born. In 1982, I was on orders to go to Korea but I was also going through a divorce due to what I found out while I was temporary duty in Annville, Pa. I got deferred from going to Korea. A few months later, I had orders for the second time. This time I received orders for 2nd Armored Division at Ansbach, Germany. In April 1983, I returned to Germany as Staff Sergeant Mathenia. I was divorced on May 31, 1983. However, I turned around the next day and married her best friend. At that time, I was sending my ex-wife $650.00 a month for two kids. In 1986 I returned to CONUS with orders sending me to 4th Inf Div Replacement at Fort Carson, Colorado. My wife and I were at each others throat constantly. After six months in Fort Carson we separated for good. Possibly in 1986 I had a stroke because of too much pressure. I decided to stay in the army so I reenlisted for another four year that would take me to my 20 years. In 1990, I was supposed to get out of the army but I went to Medical Hold Company to see what I had.After 3 years of being medical hold I was offered 60% disability. I ran with that. In july 1993 I was discharged from the army. In June, 1993, I started Pikes Peak College taking up to 18 credit hours. I had a note taker while there and tutors and thank god for them. I was a member in student government while there and was a senator worked on diverse committees. I was a member of the economics club, phi beta lamda, and phi theta kappa. I was also on several committees during my tenure in school government as a Senator I took 2nd in all state competition in Phi Beta Lambda. Also, I was a member of the Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa. In 1995, we also went to Wash DC where I lost out. But, hey I had a great time. In 1996, I graduated from Pikes Peak Community College. I took a semester off and in the fall of 2007 I entered University of Colorado Colorado Springs. In 2000 I graduated. In 2000, I went to work in Security helping the local Police fight crime. In 2004, my condition worstened. I didn't quit I was fired for protecting a customer at a store. Now I am retired and still around. I want to get back into square dancing but I have to overcome obstacles. Well I am still around. Recently, I lost my best friend and wife after 21 years of marriage. So, I am new to the singles thing. It is a new experience.