Charlene McDonnough:
CLASS OF 1984
Moriarty High SchoolClass of 1984
Moriarty, NM
Columbia, SC
Francis Marion UniversityClass of 1999
Florence, SC
Moriarty Middle SchoolClass of 1980
Moriarty, NM
Moriarty Elementary SchoolClass of 1977
Moriarty, NM
Charlene's Story
Life
I joined the Air Force, got to see the world or at least Europe, I got to see alot of Italy and the Azores (Portugal) and spent time TDY (Temporary Duty) in Germany. I met my husband in Italy and got married 2 1/2 months after our first date. We have two boys, Alan and Adam, now ages 23 and 21. The oldest has left and graduated from Air Force Basic Training and has been on active duty since 2005. He is married now too. Our youngest one graduated and went to Clemson University where he is studying to Packaging Science. Who would have guessed that from where I came I would have two children that are going to be more successful than I ever imagined. I am an Adult Services Outreach Librarian and I love my career. I have been doing it for five and 1/2 years and it only seems to get better. This June my husband and I will celebrate our 23nd anniversery. Once again from where I came who would have guessed, but we are trying to copy my grandparents who made it to their 70th year before my Grandma passed away. My husband has finished his Bachelors degree in Bible Studies, and begins his Masters program January 2010. He is an interim preacher in a little country church here in SC. Really nice people and only a short 30 minute drive from home.
Update: It's been a while, my son's are now in their 30's and both settled in their adult lives with families of their own now. I have one granddaughter now too. I am still in the same library system but was promoted to Branch Manager in 2012. I absolutely love my career. My husband and I have been married now for 33 years, almost halfway to our goal of 70 years. I have been asked how we made it so long and it is commitment to working out our problems and fighting through the times when all we wanted to say was "lets quit".
School
I loved being in school, that was where I felt the happiest and safest. I have such great memories of people I knew from 1st thru 12th, teachers and students alike. I remember our middle school trip to Mesa Verde, and Mr. Harvey's Biology field trip to the zoo during senior year. The teachers that inspired me the most were Mrs. Dulaney (English) and Ms. Pemberton (Business). They both helped me to see that I could be anything I wanted, they encouraged me to reach for the stars. The best times were going to all the home football games and then going to the Saturday night dance at the Community Center afterwards. Oh, those school crushes, I didn't tell the guys then, s...Expand for more
o I don't think I will tell them now. But if I could do it all again, I would in a heartbeat.
Military
I joined the Air Force on a dare from my best friend Donna-Marie during my senior year. After spending my entire school life in Moriarty I wanted to be as far away as possible from some of those childhood memories so that dare was the best thing to happen to me. I had the best possible jobs at each base where I was stationed. At my first base Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ I was assigned to the 312th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (Colonel Plummer and Colonel Rice, Commanders) where pilots were trained to fly the F-16. This base was where I learned my work ethics, and developed my perfectionist tendencies. Thanks to Major Carlson and his demand for letter perfect documents with no mistakes, I learned to type with speed and accuracy. However, it is not the work that I am fond of remembering, it is the people from my squadron. They were the best and I have wonderful memories. This is also where I had my first son. I cannot forget Comiso AS Italy, I was only there for a year, but this is where I met my husband and got married. We did everything backwards - we got married in Italy and then came back to the States for our honeymoon and met each others families. Colonel Selman walked me down the aisle in place of my father and Chaplin Jim Martinez performed the ceremony in the base chapel. Finally, the Azores where I worked for the Contracting Squadron and my last son was born. I adored the civilian Portugese ladies that worked in the squadron. They taught me a few Portugese words. My last base was Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX where I was assigned to the 7th Logistics Group. By the time I got there I had already been in the Air force for 6 years and was on my second enlistment heading towards my 3rd enlistment. I worked directly for the Squadron Commander and the Logistics Group Commander. I developed a tremendous respect for the men leading the Logistics Group while I was stationed there: Colonel Pellerin, Colonel Rindy, Colonel Noto. They taught management skills and discipline by leading with respect and dignity. I was extremely honored to serve with these men. While I thoroughly enjoyed all my duty stations I cannot decide which was my favorite. They all had both good times and bad times but they all helped me to become the person I am today. If I could do it again I would and not change a thing, except maybe stay active duty longer.
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