Red River book offered as gift, donation at MOAA lunch

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As she held the new hardcover book in her withered hands, she thought of the anecdotes inside, capturing the history and experiences of those who'd dwelled in the Red River Valley.

She thought of her husband, retired Navy Reserve Capt. Temple Driver, whom she'd buried just months earlier, and how he probably spent his childhood hearing these same stories. And she felt gratitude toward the organization that had the foresight to gift her with such an appropriate tribute.

"I am very grateful they chose a book about this part of the country for me," said Mrs. Jackie Driver. "My husband grew up in Wichita Falls, and he loved this area and the people."

Mrs. Driver was an honored guest at a luncheon held by the Military Officers Association of America Jan. 25, in memory of Capt. Driver. Capt. Driver was also a judge for the 89th district of Wichita County.

"This is a wonderful tradition to remember past contributions of our valuable community retirees," said Maj. Carrie "C.J." Bausano, president of the Sheppard branch of MOAA.

After the luncheon, Mrs. Driver was presented with "Tales of Texoma," personally autographed by the author, Dr. Michael Collins, a professor of history at Midwestern State University, also in attendance.

Mrs. Driver then donated the book to the Sheppard library, offering it to Kathleen Roseboom, a library assistant with the 82nd Services division.

"I'm delighted to receive this," Ms. Roseboom said. "I want our library to feature more works by local authors, and this is a wonderful addition."

MOAA will also assist the library as the staff in-processes their recent acceptance of nearly 25,000 books from Fort Dix, N.J.

"We'll have a lot of new literature, a lot of non-fiction, it'll be a welcome expansion of our collection," Ms. Roseboom said.

"I can't believe they were about to get rid of these books; I would have done some dumpster-diving for most of them," she said.

The next MOAA function will be held Mar. 12, and will feature Brig. Gen. Marshall Scantlin of the Texas Medical Rangers.

For more information about MOAA, visit www.moaa.org.