Mother Daughter Team Deploys
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
CAMP SMITH, New York –”Like father, like son” is the more popular expression used in the English language, but “like mother, like daughter” is the phrase Soldiers in the New York Army National Guard’s 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion will use this August.
For Spc. Alexandra Lippi, and her mother Sgt. Major Gina Lippi, service in the National Guard is a family thing. The two will deploy to Afghanistan this year with the Yonkers-based 101st Signal.
“I don’t know exactly what ‘it’ is, but ‘it’ is in my blood,” said Spc. Lippi, a newly trained signal soldier in Alpha Company, 101st ESB when asked why she decided to enlist in the New York National Guard like her mother did over 30 years ago.
Spc. Lippi, who was previously assigned to the New York Army National Guard’s 466th Area Medical Company, said her mom inspired her to join and says there is a calmness in just knowing that she will have her mother in Afghanistan with her, who she can just talk to, who understands her.
For Sgt. Major Gina Lippi, there is is no greater way to serve than to know she inspired her daughter to serve too.
The two Lippi’s resemble each other and possess the same mannerisms, same hair, same laugh and will both be on their first deployment.
Sgt. Maj. Lippi joined the military over 32 years ago. A lot of things have changed since then and definitely for the better, she said.
“The circumstances of 9/11 led to a more versatile force and soldiers are more experienced than ever before at understanding the changes of the world,” Sgt. Major Lippi said.
“I wish the soldiers making up our ranks today stood in formation 30 years ago,” she added.
“She is awesome, and we are friends, we talk and do lots of things together so why not serve or deploy together but it is about respect,” the younger Lippi said.
“I respect her and this organization so much and do not want it to appear that just because my mother is a sergerant major I should receive special exceptions or take short cuts,” she added.
[Sgt. Major Lippi] is stern, to the point, but always respectful and courteous. Her style and approach when dealing with soldiers in the S3 team is productive and enlightening, never divisive,” said Capt. Frank Quintano, the 101st’s operations officer. ‘
She would never show favoritism to any Soldier, daughter or not, he added.
The reason I shared this story is that it is near and dear to me. My mom and I share a military history together as well. It is something special that won’t be repeated.
When I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, my mom, then SSG Phyllis Mitchell, was the first to salute me. It is an honor reserved for the most special Non-commissioned (NCO) in your life. For me, it was my mom.
Our final special military moment was when my mom was to reenlist for the last time. I was a First Lieutenant, and I issued her final Oath before she retired.
It was quite difficult to fight back the tears when it happened, because it was a such a special moment.
Share your thoughts on this story. Have you shared a special moment with your family members (outside of being family) that will always be impactful to your life?
Keep marching forward,
LuSundra