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    An Old Guard dual-military love story

    An Old Guard dual-military love story

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kelvin Ringold | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bond and U.S. Army Sgt. Alexandria Bond, are all smiles at...... read more read more

    ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES

    02.14.2017

    Story by Staff Sgt. Terrance D. Rhodes 

    3d U.S. Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard”

    Staff Sgt. Robert Bond, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, is a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer and his wife, Sgt. Alexandria Bond, from Hopkins, South Carolina, is a signal support systems specialist.

    They met for the first time back in 2013 when his privately owned vehicle died on the side of the road.

    “My motorcycle broke down, it ran out of gas, chuckled Robert Bond. “It was one of those old bikes that didn’t have a fuel gauge so I had to call somebody back at my unit to come help me out, and it wound up being her,” added Robert Bond.

    She wasn’t too happy about having to help out this new Soldier.

    “At that time I felt like he was bothering me,” laughed Alexandria Bond. “I had so many other tasks to take care of, but I was like ‘whatever’ I’ll go help this guy,“ said Alexandria Bond.

    Shortly after the incident Robert Bond asked her on a date.

    “I was wondering why he didn’t ask someone else,” said Alexandria Bond. “He set me up,” she continued.

    The two of them went out on a friendly date, at least that’s what she thought.

    “I thought we were going out as friends, so I showed up looking terrible and he was all dressed up,” said Alexandria Bond. “So he decided to go back home and change, and we went out looking terrible together,” laughed Alexandria Bond.

    The two of them dated for more than a year before getting married in January 2014.

    Since then, the Bonds have experienced deployments, a new born baby boy and a permanent change of station.

    “We deployed at the same time to, two different places,” said Robert Bond. “We just had our son [Robert Alexander Bond] so he had to go with his aunt while both of his parents were deployed,“ explained Robert Bond.

    The couple experienced some of the many challenges that dual-military couples face while separated from each other.

    “The hardest thing for me was not being able to talk to my husband and my son at the same time,” said Alexandria Bond.

    The Bonds had a strong Family network that helped the two through the deployment.

    “Every time things got rough we talked to our parents, they gave us sound advice,” said Robert Bond. “Another thing we did was keep a journal of what happened during the times we didn’t talk as well as how we felt about other things going on or each other. Writing everything down helped us keep our thoughts alive, “continued Robert Bond.

    After returning from deployment the couple soon got orders to the 3d U.S.Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard.”

    “We felt like coming to The Old Guard would be best for us as a Family and for career progression,” said Alexandria Bond.

    The Bonds achieved a rare accomplishment for a dual military married couple by getting promoted in the same month.

    “It’s a huge accomplishment to get promoted no matter who you are, but to be able to share the moment and date with my wife is incredible,” said Robert Bond.

    His better half was also equally excited.

    “I couldn’t believe we made it on the same day,” said Alexandria Bond. “I was so happy for him I couldn’t stop crying,” continued Alexandria Bond.

    Through motorcycle breakdowns, first dates, deployments and promotions, the Bonds love for each other has never wavered.

    “It’s a challenge but I wouldn’t trade her or the Army for anything in the world,” said Robert Bond, and they both looked at each other and smiled.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.14.2017
    Date Posted: 02.15.2017 11:55
    Story ID: 223608
    Location: ARLINGTON, VA, US
    Hometown: HOPKINS, SC, US
    Hometown: MANSFIELD, OH, US

    Web Views: 57
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN