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logistics advisor. With the help of an interpreter, he advises the Iraqis on how they can be more efficient in
logistics, the life support for Iraqi soldiers, responsible for providing food, water, ammunition, transportation,
supplies, maintenance of equipment, and more. “It is a big job, but important to the battalion, so that they are
able to carry out their combat missions,” Dante said. “Things sure are a lot different down here, and that was
expected. The insurgents have changed their tactics, regrouped. You can’t trust anyone.”
Robin knows that these last four months of her husband’s tour are the most dangerous. “It does make me worry a
lot more,” she said. “Every day, something’s happening. It’s very tough to be a military family. It’s a huge strain
on any marriage.”
A member of the Army Reserves, and an Army brat herself (Robin’s dad is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, and her
grandmother also served during World War II), sometimes all the training in the world can’t prepare you for the
realities of war. “When I see something on the news, and my husband’s over there, I worry just like a non-military
spouse would,” she said. “Those things affect me.”
Married just three weeks after 9/11, Dante and Robin have missed out on three wedding anniversaries and have
yet to take a honeymoon. “Right after 9/11, I knew our lives would change,” Dante said. “I knew we were going
to be in it for awhile.” He has never been home to celebrate his 2-year-old’s birthday. While he admits the time
apart has been a struggle, Dante is adamant about America’s role in Iraq.
“We’re doing a lot of good things over there,” he said. “We’re going to be in there for the long haul. Occupations
after war are nothing new. I still support what we do. I still believe this is a war on terror. We need to see this
through. I’d rather fight on foreign soil. I feel that we have to do this now so my children won’t have to do this
later. These fanatics have to be dealt with.”
Dante recently was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. A career military man, he is due to retire in three years. Yet,
he expects one more overseas tour before he can retire.
Unfortunately, it seems that just when Dante is expected to return home to his family this summer, it will be
Robin’s turn to serve at least a year. A First Lieutenant with the Army Reserves, Robin understands that she, too,
could be deployed at any time and was actually called up twice, but did not have to go because each time she was
expecting one of their two children. She recently received mobilization orders for Fort Bragg and was due to report
for duty on February 1, the same day Dante was scheduled to go back to Iraq. “It’s not exactly how we planned
it,” Dante said. “But we’ll just drive on. I’m not complaining. That’s life in the military. That’s just part of the job;
we go through that. The upside is, Robin’s not going to Iraq.” (continued on page 19).
1. Corradi at home with his family. 2. Corradi with orphaned Iraqi children. 3. Corradi (third from right) with Donald Rumsfeld.
12.Tradition.Winter07