W O M E N ’ S H I ST O RY
KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024
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Kempner woman continues serving the military in retirement Debbie Pomato with her 2021 Harley Davidson Street Glide. Pomato continues to support the military in retirement as a volunteer for the Moose Lodge in Copperas Cove. COURTESY PHOTO
BY JOHN CLARK HERALD CORRESPONDENT
KEMPNER — Debbie Pomato has served in the military, been married to a soldier both during and after her time in uniform, and headed up family readiness groups during wartime – while also raising kids and keeping the household running. All those roles presented their own unique challenges, and Pomato says the things she learned back then continue to serve her well today. “It was challenging being a soldier, wife, and mother,” the California native now living in Kempner said. “Not only did I have to take care of my own career, but I had to make sure my children were taken care of. Of course, I was fortunate during Desert Storm that my unit did not get called up, and I got out prior to all the craziness that was to come after that. “Fast forward to being the spouse of a service member during the time of war was very challenging, also. You had to take care of the kids, the house — everything — because he was deployed. He was in Saudi Arabia prior to the war starting, so that was 2002 to 2003. Then he left again in 2004 to 2005. You not only had to take care of your own children, but because of his rank (platoon sergeant), I was also in charge of the FRG (Family Readiness Group). So I had to step up and take care of the
Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in the Fort Cavazos Herald in 2023. spouses who were left behind. I also had to do my job (military personnel), and I was working 12-hour shifts during that time. “During Desert Storm, they thought we were going to lose a lot more (soldiers) than we lost. They were thinking we were going to lose 80 percent of our soldiers. So, of course, the ladies knew where I worked, but I had to tell them I didn’t know anything. It was hard keeping them active and staying out of trouble, I guess you could say. “It was challenging, but I love a challenge. That’s why I do what I’m doing now for the Moose (Lodge in Copperas Cove). For the lodge, I am a trustee. That means I do monthly inventories, and I sit on the board of officers to help make decisions and things like that. I’m also the district treasurer. That one’s pretty easy. I just collect money and write checks. I’m also the Women of the Moose treasurer, and that one is a little more challenging. I collect the money, plus ensure that we’re up to date on all our memberships. For the Moose Riders (motorcycle club), I’m also the treasurer for them. “If I were not retired-retired, I would not be doing all of this. There are days I think I want to PLEASE SEE KEMPNER, C4