Ronald Hildner
First things first, I just want to tell everyone “hi” and apologize for not being there for our 20th. Boy was I looking forward to getting back to Los Alamos, seeing the mountains and all of you. However, like in most things, that just has not worked out and I just spent a day in 111 degree heat here in Baghdad. But before I get into that, let me tell you what has gone on for the past 20 years (wow), because, yes, I also missed the 10 year reunion for similar reasons.
I am married to my beautiful wife, Pam, and have two wonderful children, Ryan (9) and Elaina (3). Pam and I met in Killeen, TX and we were married there in 1996. Pam is a strong, resourceful, and patient wife having to deal with the kids, the Army, and me for all these years. She was a teacher but now spends her time managing the family and running our jewelry business making name bracelet (www.name-bracelet.com). My hobby is my kids. Our son, Ryan, Mr. Exuberant, is great at school and sports, and is better than I ever was at his age at both. He won his schools chess tournament, plays soccer, basketball, and baseball, and does quite well in all of them. He currently plays up an age group for a select 10-year-old baseball team, the Denton Scorpions. He is their primary catcher and also plays outfield, pitcher, and third base. Not bad since most of the kids are older by a year or more. Our daughter, Elaina, is our joyful one. I secretly believe she runs the family and does it quite well. She believes she is older and should have all the fun and get to do all the same stuff that her brother does. She is “Daddy’s Big Girl” and has me wrapped around her little fingers. I agree with Chris Hansen, daughters are great.
Now, as some of you may remember, I ended up going to the United States Military Academy at West Point about 3 weeks after graduation. I was there with several others from Los Alamos to include Jeff Jack (86), Dave Ortega (86), Robin Wells (90) and John Pistoni whom ended up there a year behind me. I made it through the 4 years doing many exciting Army things- Airborne and Air Assault Schools being the high points. I also learned how to be an officer in the United States Army. I graduated (whew!!) in 1992 with a BS in Political and Cultural Geography of the Middle East and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Air Defense Artillery Branch.
So for the past 20 years I have been doing Army stuff. The Hildner Family has moved and traveled around the world. From Ft Bliss, TX, to Ft Hood where we were married, to Germany where Ryan was born, to Ft Leavenworth, KS where Elaina was born, to where I’m currently stationed at Ft Campbell, KY. I claim Denton TX as my home and that is where my family is until I get back from my current deployment. I’ve been throughout Europe visiting great spots like Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia. Now I’m in Iraq for my second trip to the Middle East as the Battalion Executive Officer, a Major, for a battalion providing protection for other Soldiers here in Baghdad. I don’t know what the Army will bring me in the future, but hopefully, sometime this summer I will hear whether or not I have made the promotion list for Lieutenant Colonel.
I hope everyone has a great time. Again thanks to all of you that have put this site together. I’ve had fun reading about and seeing everyone’s pictures. Godbless.
Ryan, Elaina, and me at our house
Pam and Elaina at school
Elaina frosting cookies
Ryan with his chess medal
Me dressed up with one of my officers
Me (on the left) in Iraq with my Operations Officer at one of our guns
