For a long time now, I have been debating on whether to share my story or not? It hurt to much to talk about it, but then I would find peace and want to talk about it. A constant battle with myself makes me think I am going crazy….. Then I finally received my answer a few days ago. My husband’s best friend, who was deployed with him called me up and we just talked and remembered Joe. He told me how much Joe would laugh because I could talk for days and he could never understand how. So in his honor I am going to talk, and tell you our story……
It all began when my best friend who was in Hawaii at the time, called me up and asked me to come visit. At the time I was working for a commercial airline (ex: United, American, and Delta) as a Flight Attendant. January of 2010, I made the 9 hour flight from Texas, my home, to Honolulu, Hawaii. The night I landed my friend and her husband had a bunch of people over to welcome me to the island; it was the first time I saw, wearing a red sweatshirt and shorts with flip flops, in the kitchen cooking, stood Joseph Altmann. Who was a soldier with the US Army, and a Senior Line Medic. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. We talked all thru the night and then spent every day for the next 6 days together.
That’s all it took those 6 days we both knew we had something special. Time came and I had to return to my job in Texas and he was to remain on the island. My best friend and Joe took me to the airport, as we said our good bye’s, Joe and I shared a kiss and he said, “Not good bye, I’ll see you later”. I giggled, because it was from a movie, he didn’t know that. Then I gave him a kiss and a hug and said “ok, I’ll see you later”. That became our thing, we never said good bye, it was always see you later. Over the next year, emails, Skype dates, text messages, and phone calls and when my scheduled allowed I would fly to Hawaii to see him. Sometimes for 4 days other times for 10 hours. We made it work, because every minute together was worth it. June 2010 Joe received his orders for Afghanistan. It took him a week to tell me, because he didn’t know how I was to react to the news. We had only been dating a few months but only saw each other in person about 14 days. Joe was keeping count of how much time we actually spent face to face. I had no idea he was doing this. It made sense, one day he said “at this rate it will take about 4 years for us to be face to face for what takes a normal couple a year.” I laughed so hard when he told me that. After that we both kept count. In October 2010 I began flying with a charter company that transports military personnel all over the world, for deployment, R&R, re-deployments, and training. While I was in training to get my wings for this company, Joe was on an intensive course for the Expert Field Medical Badge, starts with 150 soldiers and only 12 finished the course. Joe was one of the 12. On the same day, he received his badge I received my wings. That day we talked to congratulate each other, I told Joe, “I’ll do my part, while you do yours during this deployment.” He responded, “Works for me.” He always knew how to make me smile and laugh. January 2011, I was in Europe working and Joe calls me on Skype, “What do you think about us getting married?” I remember looking at the screen in complete shock, I asked him, “I hope you’re not proposing over Skype?” He says, “Oh no! I just wanted to see what you thought.” Joe and I had talked about marriage before and we always knew one day we would, just wasn’t sure when. I told Joe, “I’ll be coming to Hawaii in a few days; we can talk in person more.”
I finally arrived in Hawaii, I would be staying for 10 days, the longest amount of time consecutively we had spent together. We were thrilled!! On Feb 15, 2011 on the beach of Waikiki, we were pronounced husband and wife. It was just the two of us and it was perfect!! We agreed with our family’s we would have a big wedding when Joe got back from this deployment. On April 4th I watched Joe with his buddy’s board a bus that would take them to the flight line to board the plane. I knew I would see him again in a few months but it’s still so hard to watch your loved one leave. The fear of the unknown can be overwhelming, because you’re still not sure if you will see them again. November 2011 I was there with my friend who was videotaping this whole reunion about to take place. I finally would see my husband. YEAH!!!! I was so thrilled and so ecstatic, all my friends who I worked with saw my excitement leading up to this day. 6 long months I had waited. As everyone knows R&R is a blessing and the love you have for each other shines brighter than any star in the sky. Joe and I both would soon return to work, I would again have to watch the man I love board a plan that I work on, go figure! It wasn’t any easier the 2nd time. On Dec 26th I was overseas about to leave with my crew to head to the airport. When I got a phone call from my company telling me my schedule changed. This was the norm for us, so I didn’t question. Then on my hotel room door I got a knock it was the manager escorted by 2 military officers.
I remember when I saw them the only thing I could say was. “Please tell me he is severely injured, please let him be injured.” I was wrong, as the officer got down on one knee with tears in his eyes; he begins to tell me, my husband was killed in action last night on December 25th 2011. That’s when the world just stopped. It would take 12 days before we could lay my husband to rest. I still to this day remember and feel everything the moment they placed the flag from his casket, into my hands.
I miss him every day, and I know one day I will see him again. Till then I know I am here for a purpose, and I want to make him proud, that’s why I have gone back to school to get my degree so I can make a difference and help people the best way I know how. Joe was a Combat Medic, because he loved what he did and he was good at it. His friends have told me stories of the times they saw Joe in action when one of their own was injured. They said “he did it without hesitation and he did it with passion, you could see he loved what he did.” That I will always remember about him, and that’s what I hope to pass on.
…a soldier with the US Army, and a Senior Line Medic. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. We talked all thru the night and then spent every day for the next 6 days together.
True Love
For a long time now, I have been debating on whether to share my story or not? It hurt to much to talk about it, but then I would find peace and want to talk about it. A constant battle with myself makes me think I am going crazy….. Then I finally received my answer a few days ago. My husband’s best friend, who was deployed with him called me up and we just talked and remembered Joe. He told me how much Joe would laugh because I could talk for days and he could never understand how. So in his honor I am going to talk, and tell you our story……
It all began when my best friend who was in Hawaii at the time, called me up and asked me to come visit. At the time I was working for a commercial airline (ex: United, American, and Delta) as a Flight Attendant. January of 2010, I made the 9 hour flight from Texas, my home, to Honolulu, Hawaii. The night I landed my friend and her husband had a bunch of people over to welcome me to the island; it was the first time I saw, wearing a red sweatshirt and shorts with flip flops, in the kitchen cooking, stood Joseph Altmann. Who was a soldier with the US Army, and a Senior Line Medic. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. We talked all thru the night and then spent every day for the next 6 days together.
That’s all it took those 6 days we both knew we had something special. Time came and I had to return to my job in Texas and he was to remain on the island. My best friend and Joe took me to the airport, as we said our good bye’s, Joe and I shared a kiss and he said, “Not good bye, I’ll see you later”. I giggled, because it was from a movie, he didn’t know that. Then I gave him a kiss and a hug and said “ok, I’ll see you later”. That became our thing, we never said good bye, it was always see you later. Over the next year, emails, Skype dates, text messages, and phone calls and when my scheduled allowed I would fly to Hawaii to see him. Sometimes for 4 days other times for 10 hours. We made it work, because every minute together was worth it. June 2010 Joe received his orders for Afghanistan. It took him a week to tell me, because he didn’t know how I was to react to the news. We had only been dating a few months but only saw each other in person about 14 days. Joe was keeping count of how much time we actually spent face to face. I had no idea he was doing this. It made sense, one day he said “at this rate it will take about 4 years for us to be face to face for what takes a normal couple a year.” I laughed so hard when he told me that. After that we both kept count. In October 2010 I began flying with a charter company that transports military personnel all over the world, for deployment, R&R, re-deployments, and training. While I was in training to get my wings for this company, Joe was on an intensive course for the Expert Field Medical Badge, starts with 150 soldiers and only 12 finished the course. Joe was one of the 12. On the same day, he received his badge I received my wings. That day we talked to congratulate each other, I told Joe, “I’ll do my part, while you do yours during this deployment.” He responded, “Works for me.” He always knew how to make me smile and laugh. January 2011, I was in Europe working and Joe calls me on Skype, “What do you think about us getting married?” I remember looking at the screen in complete shock, I asked him, “I hope you’re not proposing over Skype?” He says, “Oh no! I just wanted to see what you thought.” Joe and I had talked about marriage before and we always knew one day we would, just wasn’t sure when. I told Joe, “I’ll be coming to Hawaii in a few days; we can talk in person more.”
I finally arrived in Hawaii, I would be staying for 10 days, the longest amount of time consecutively we had spent together. We were thrilled!! On Feb 15, 2011 on the beach of Waikiki, we were pronounced husband and wife. It was just the two of us and it was perfect!! We agreed with our family’s we would have a big wedding when Joe got back from this deployment. On April 4th I watched Joe with his buddy’s board a bus that would take them to the flight line to board the plane. I knew I would see him again in a few months but it’s still so hard to watch your loved one leave. The fear of the unknown can be overwhelming, because you’re still not sure if you will see them again. November 2011 I was there with my friend who was videotaping this whole reunion about to take place. I finally would see my husband. YEAH!!!! I was so thrilled and so ecstatic, all my friends who I worked with saw my excitement leading up to this day. 6 long months I had waited. As everyone knows R&R is a blessing and the love you have for each other shines brighter than any star in the sky. Joe and I both would soon return to work, I would again have to watch the man I love board a plan that I work on, go figure! It wasn’t any easier the 2nd time. On Dec 26th I was overseas about to leave with my crew to head to the airport. When I got a phone call from my company telling me my schedule changed. This was the norm for us, so I didn’t question. Then on my hotel room door I got a knock it was the manager escorted by 2 military officers.
I remember when I saw them the only thing I could say was. “Please tell me he is severely injured, please let him be injured.” I was wrong, as the officer got down on one knee with tears in his eyes; he begins to tell me, my husband was killed in action last night on December 25th 2011. That’s when the world just stopped. It would take 12 days before we could lay my husband to rest. I still to this day remember and feel everything the moment they placed the flag from his casket, into my hands.
I miss him every day, and I know one day I will see him again. Till then I know I am here for a purpose, and I want to make him proud, that’s why I have gone back to school to get my degree so I can make a difference and help people the best way I know how. Joe was a Combat Medic, because he loved what he did and he was good at it. His friends have told me stories of the times they saw Joe in action when one of their own was injured. They said “he did it without hesitation and he did it with passion, you could see he loved what he did.” That I will always remember about him, and that’s what I hope to pass on.
13 thoughts on “True Love”
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God Bless you and Thank you is all I can say. I am the mother of an Army Soldier and wish there was so much more that I could do
My husband is currently Active duty I know the fear all to well. Bless you and your amazing husband. I’m very sorry for your loss of him.
With Love from,
Toni
Marine Corp Base Hawaii
My name is Sandy Kottre, i read your story, how powerful love can be. I’m a Gold Star mom, I lost my son Spc Adam James Patton at the young age of 21 on Memorial Week-end 5/26/11. My heart aches for you, as i can feel your Pain, Adam always told me he joined the Army to “Make this world a better place”. Please now you are NEVER alone, and your husband will NEVER be forgotten. Thank you for sharing your story. God Bless you and may God hold all of our loved ones in his loving arms.
Thank you for sharing your story. My husband was severely injured and I almost lost him. I can’t imagine how you feel but thank you for feeling brave and sharing your story. My BFF is a widow and it helps to read others stories so I can try to understand her feelings. I will pray for you.
this is a hard thing to have ,this has repeated itself for centurys,god bless the brave and the meak..and you all to..hope you may one day be with him,and he will be waiting im sure,life is short,im 50 and it seems like im only 32,,haaa,I wish,keep your head up and be all your going to be,and smile.some body loves you…god bless you and yorn….greg cato,
Nikki, all I can say is I share your pain. I became a military widow on October 28, 2010…somehow you find strenth you never knew you had…you go on, part to make him proud and part because there is little else you can do. Your man sounds amazing! Hold tight to the memmories you 2 made. I too remember the moment they handed me Larry’s flag…you will go on. Don’t let anyone tell you how to grieve or how long. We all are on our own time table. May Gods Angels surround you with much love.
Mrs. Larry Long
I am an army nurse. I have been downrange as an RN twice. Previously I was in Desert Storm as an interpreter/radio voice interceptor. This story is one I encourage all my fellow soldiers to read and share.
The young navy corpsmen, air force pararescuemen and army combat medics do so much and seldom get recognized for it. Your Joe was a special man and I hope others will be inspired by him as I have been. Responding to any traumatic injury anywhere demands the ability to think on your feet and act fast. Over and over again the infantrymen and others we send into harm’s way will tell you they do so willingly because they realize men like Joe will be there to help them.
Nikki…no matter where life may take you, Joe will always be there..watching..just to make sure that you are happy. Be happy in everything you do because he would want that..He was one of my friends and everyday before deployment when 1SG asked where Altmann was..all I could say is…I dunno..but we knew..he was with you..which made him happy. We all still keep you and Joe in our thoughts, and neither of you will be forgotten because knowing you two made us happy.
Nikki Lee, this breaks my heart. I know you and your sweet heart, so I can only imagine the kind of guy you picked to be married to as even sweeter. I wish I could have met him to tell him how lucky he was to have someone as great as you. I am proud of the direction you are taking after such an event. I love you, sweet girl.
Thank you for sharing your story. Your marriage was very special. I will give my military husband an extra hug tonight after reading your story. God Bless
As always your grace shine thru as it always did. I have the blessing of meeting you at work and then again you and Joe flew on one of my flights. We talked thru the whole flight and you were glowing. I was sure your happiness was because of Joe. Same when I talked to him. You were blessed to have him love you and just know he was blessed too. What true love is.
God bless you and Joe as I know you will someday reunite in a much more beautiful place than earth.
Thinking of you and hoping for the best. Congrats on your future degree. Live life fully.
Nikki, I’m proud of you for writing your story. I’m proud of you for going back to school. I lived in Viet-Nam 68-70 & was married to an Air America pilot. When his friend told me my husband Merk had been shot down, I thought he was teasing me–until he broke down crying. Your world stops. Then shatters. You put up the folded flag and soldier on. This past Feb 18, the anniversary of Merk’s death, a friend’s grandson was born. I thought what a wonderful thing–an angel being born to celebrate happiness on that sad day. Joe and Merk died defending our freedom. AWP is doing so much to help young women carry on.
Such a beautiful love story. I lost my husband on Christmas Day 2010. He was a wounded vet, Vietnam. The kids and I took care of him thru his 20+ surgeries and did our best to help him thru PTSD. I feel your pain, and I pray that you continue to hold on to the precious memories. I took my first retreat with AWP last weekend. The woman our amazing and I think you would find it helpful to your soul if you can hook up with one of the many events with AWP. It was a very meaningful experience for me and I hope to go again some day.