Pam Zich: Life on the Home Front-Then and Now
Pam Zich served as a columnist for Stars and Stripes from 2002 to 2010, where she wrote a weekly family humor column titled “Life on the Home Front.” In this role, she provided insights and anecdotes that resonated with military families, capturing the unique challenges and joys of life connected to the armed forces.
Life on the Home Front…Then and Now
By Pam Zich
The year was 2002, and my husband was stationed at Cherry Point when I had an idea of writing a family humor column for Stars and Stripes. Could I convince the editors of such a prestigious newspaper that readers would find my life as a military spouse with three mischievous boys entertaining?
From Small Town to Marine Life
Growing up in a small North Carolina town, I never imagined venturing much further than the half-hour drive to Chapel Hill, where I received my journalism degree. But then, a life-changing event occurred when I was a senior and began dating a Marine. The following year, Ron and I were married, and the adventure of frequently moving from one place to another simply became a way of life. Ironically, two years at Cherry Point is the closest we have ever lived to my hometown.
Family Adventures in Okinawa
Our oldest and middle sons, Jimi and Tommy, were born during our three years on Okinawa. The family was completed in 1999 with the addition of Ronnie when we lived in San Antonio. As I considered whether Life on the Home Front would be appealing to readers, it became obvious that my boys provided excellent material to write about. Even if readers never lived in the same frequently changing locations as us, they would surely relate to the lifestyle. When the editors agreed to publish some of my columns, I was delighted to be writing for an audience that I hoped could relate to my experiences and laugh along with me.
The Joy of Writing
For the next eight years, I wrote a weekly column about Jimi, Tommy, and Ronnie. Sometimes, the Marines allowed Ron to stay home and do something entertaining enough to write about. The most popular columns were about our oversized Border Collie, Glory. I even received letters when I wrote that the vet had put her on a diet requiring us to mix green beans with her food. One reader said he successfully tried it himself!
A New Chapter
I decided to stop writing my column in 2010, the year before Ron retired. We were living in Springfield, Virginia, and I was a special education teacher. It felt like the right time to say goodbye.
Returning Home
We lived in Springfield until 2021 and then returned to the beautiful home where I grew up, surrounded by pastures and cows and many relatives. Ron has two horses and is learning how to be a farmer in his spare time from fishing and golfing. He recently got his first hole-in-one. Jimi will be 30 soon and was married in June, here in the gazebo by our house. Now, he is the one teaching special education and was named rookie teacher of the year last spring. Tommy works at the family auto/truck parts business and is engaged. Both live within an hour of us. Ronnie is a data analyst and lives near Springfield, the only home he remembers.
Cherishing Memories
Hopefully, by reading old columns I self-published and looking at my many scrapbooks, a few memories will be restored of those sunny days at the beach in San Diego and the Spider-Man birthday party when he invited the entire class. I was so grateful to open the door and see the teacher invite herself that I gave her a big hug. Ron was deployed and, as usual, I had my hands full.
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