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VOLUME XIV, NO. 12 |
TEXAS DAIRY REVIEW |
DECEMBER 2005 |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION |
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION |
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For any news breaking stories that occur after the Texas Dairy Review goes to press. please continue to check this website for current information. For an update on news concerning the Waco vs. Bosque River dairy lawsuits, this website will post the information as soon as we officially receive it. — Sherry Webb, Publisher |
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Soldier soon to return to war |
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Cody Stephens and his wife, Amy, watch intensely as their 6-month old son, Justin, sits on the floor, grabbing at his shoes and suddenly leans over to poke one of them in his mouth. He breaks out in a wide grin, then frowns, then throws his arms out to be picked up. The moment is over and Justin’s attention turns to something else. Cody and Amy both laugh. But, what is really going through their minds as they watch their little bundle of joy? Although the time has not yet come, it’s right on the brink. Cody is about to take a trip. Not a pleasure trip or a vacation…and he will be going alone, exactly two weeks before Christmas. On Sun., Dec. 11, Cody will be transformed into U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Cody Dale Stephens and deployed to whatever awaits him in the arid region of Iraq. No doubt, leaving his wife and baby and other family members, especially at Christmas, tugs at his heart strings and is one of the hardest things he’ll ever have to do. But, that moment passes, too, and Stephens resolutely straightens his posture, sets his jaw, and his eyes take on a level gaze. “Yes, you’re always scared and of course, you fear for your life. But, the way I look at it, if it’s your time to go, it doesn’t matter whether you’re hit by an Iraqi sniper or by a city bus.” Cody said that’s really the only way you can look at it. There’s no choice in the matter if you’re in the military and headed for Iraq. Fear of the Iraqi situation is one thing. Worrying about what’s going on back in the U.S. with your family, is another. “That’s something you can’t worry about, either,” he said. “Once you get over there and get back into the rhythm of working, you do what you have to do and try not to think about it too much.” But, you never forget who you are, where you’re at, and what can happen in a heartbeat. Cody was born and raised in Stephenville, Texas. Joining the U.S. Army came at a time when he was between his present and his future and somewhat perplexed about what he wanted to do with his life. He’d graduated from high school, worked on dairies, and did other jobs to earn money. He even tried the college routine, hoping that something would strike his interest, but that didn’t last for very long. At 19 years old, and after talking to a recruiter, the Army seemed to offer what he needed at the time. “So, I joined. And I don’t regret it. I’ve re-enlisted three times, so it’s not all that bad. Besides, I would have never met Amy if I hadn’t joined.” He looks at Amy, she grins and slightly ducks her head. But, behind the grin, there are signs of apprehension and a touch of sadness welling up in her eyes that could spill over into tears at any time. “You’re not going to do that,” Cody said, in his most stern-like voice. She shook her head no, and lifted it back up with a determined look. “It’s not something we talk about,” she said. “We just sort of accept it and go on.” Cody has been in the Army for eight years and is in the fourth infantry division stationed at Ft. Hood. He is a senior Abrams tank system supervisor where his responsibilities include recovery and maintenance, battle damage assessment and repair. “We go out and get the tanks and bring them back,” he said. During those eight years, Cody has been to Korea twice, with his second trip to Iraq coming up soon. Leaving is something he’s used to doing, but not anything he likes to do, especially now that Justin has grown a little older. “Yeah, it’ll be harder this time,” he said, smiling at the gorgeous blue-eyed, blonde-haired baby, “especially at Christmas.” Cody and Amy married in November of 2001. Amy is originally from nearby Dublin, Texas. Currently, she teaches sixth grade math at Palo Alto Middle School in Killeen. After four years of marriage, Amy has learned to deal with military life, like it or not. “We don’t live on the base, so I don’t go on there very much. I work with some other teachers whose husbands are gone, but socially, I guess I don’t make a very good Army wife,” Amy said. When Cody’s gone, Amy gets her share of support from her family. ”I knew Cody was in the Army when I married him, so there’s no option about what he’s got to do. After he leaves, I’ll have my family and Justin to keep me busy.” When Cody joined in 1997, the Bosnia situation was going on but the Iraq war was yet to begin. “The Iraq war started in May 2003---and I got there two weeks later,” Cody said. He was stationed at Sammarra. This time, however, the Army will send Cody on a 12-month stay at Taji, located north of Baghdad. Other than that, Cody knows nothing about this newest tour. “And, I really don’t want to know,” he said. “Just like I don’t watch the news about the war when I’m at home, I don’t care where they’re sending me. I’ll just deal with it when I get there.” The next few months won’t be easy but Cody believes the attitude of each individual determines how they survive war conditions and being away from home. “There’s some guys who just can’t stand the thought of going back. But, if they don’t go, they’ll serve jail time. Who would want that on their record and a dishonorable discharge?” Cody said when you make a commitment, you know you have to honor it. “You just do your job and hope for the best.” Of course, support from family and friends helps. “I’m lucky. I have a family who really cares. Some of the guys, don’t, and that’s hard on them.” With nine members on his team, Cody said they support each other and help one another through the long months. “Now, that the military has an infrastructure in place, overall conditions are better than they were. We have a PX and a commissary where we can pretty much get what we need.” He said communication has also improved along with his paycheck. “I have access to the internet and if I want to stand in line, I can call home.” Cody said his pay rate has increased since those early days when he was single and at a lower rank. “We also get hazardous duty pay and separation pay and other things that helps a lot.” As far as immediate danger, Cody said one of the most dangerous things he does is when he goes on patrol. ”You just know to keep your head down,” he said. He said they never go out of the compound unless it’s for a patrol or a mission. Although military life is certainly not ideal, Cody and Amy are working with it, instead of against it. Cody said it makes him feel good when friends or even a stranger comes up and wants to shake his hand or tells him he’s proud of him. “Although some people don’t support the war department, they do support the troops. I’ve never had anyone say anything negative about the troops to me. Without getting too political, I do think this war should have ended---but since it hasn’t, I’ll do what I have to do.” Just like any other young married couple, Cody and Amy have thoughts and dreams about the future. Since both of them grew up in small Texas towns, they lean strongly toward a rural life. There’s no better evidence of that than in Justin’s room, all done out in John Deere green. Cody looks at Amy, then at Justin, then back at Amy. He smiles. If he has his way, Justin will be riding on the tractor with him---maybe even driving---in a very short time. But, Cody knows that Amy’s opinion on that will be the determining factor. |
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May no soldier go unloved |
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As Christmas Day grows closer, it’s a warm and happy time for many families who will share in the spirit of giving while gathered around the Christmas tree. However, there are those who are not nearly as fortunate and will not be spending Christmas as they would like. This brings to mind the many soldiers overseas. Fortunately, an organization called the Soldiers’ Angels was initiated a few years ago to ensure that our military know they are loved and supported during and after their deployment into harms way. The Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described "ordinary mother” of an ordinary young man, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family. In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, The Soldiers'Angels Foundation went from a mother’s letter-writing campaign to a large non-profit organization. Soldiers' Angels currently supports thousands of American service members stationed wherever they raise our Country's Flag. And the number is growing daily. They also work tirelessly supporting our wounded soldiers with transitional backpacks, personal visits, phone calls, etc. Additionally, they send our thanks via letters and email to the military of Great Britain, Poland and Australia who serve by our soldiers side in Iraq. A community of Angels have developed projects to provide aid and comfort to our military and their families. Join the many Soldiers' Angels to ensure that no soldier goes unloved. If you would like to assist in adopting a soldier, sailor, airman or marine, please click on this website: www.soldiersangels.org |
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Mexico not taking U.S. origin cattle, breeding sheep, goats |
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According to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), Mexico is not accepting U.S. origin cattle or breeding sheep and goats at this time.
It is a violation of U.S. regulations
(Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations part 91) to illegally export breeding
ruminants into Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the
authority and will take enforcement action for any illegal export
movements of animals into Mexico. Monetary penalties are assessed when
violations occur, and repeat violations are Should Mexico decide to re-open the border to U.S. cattle and breeding sheep and goats, all animals must be officially identified, tested for Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (except sheep), and be accompanied to the port by an origin health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA Veterinary Services. This office will be the point of contact for information on the import and export of livestock through the Texas ports. Please call 512-916-5555 if you have any information regarding illegal movements of animals into Mexico. |
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