Soldier From Afghanistan Visits Grandparents At NST

New North Shore Towers residents Edith and Mitchell Fastow had a special visitor when their 24-year-old granddaughter Ramona Fastow came during a leave from Afghanistan.
Ramona said that she had always wanted to go to college at West Point and knew that there was an obligation to go into the military afterwards. Knowing that there was an option of going for two years and leaving without any obligation, Ramona decided to go. She ended up really liking it at West Point and stayed.
Following her graduation in 2005, Ramona began serving her five years of active duty, which is followed by three years of reserve duty.
After going through an officer basic training course and airborne school, Ramona elected to go to Italy. She has been with her unit in Afghanistan for the last year. She is a first lieutenant in a support branch of the army that she described as their version of human resources.
Ramona’s official title is Brigade Strength Manager. Her branch supports those fighting on the front lines in various ways, such as making sure occupation specialists are going to the right place and getting them in touch with the right people to assist with various issues. Unlike when the unit was in Italy, Ramona said that in Afghanistan they are dealing with many more life and death situations.
“I think that I’m helping to take care of soldiers and their families,” Ramona said of the most rewarding part of her work.
The majority of Ramona’s stay is spent working, and she sometimes stays at the office as late as 11:30 p.m. or midnight. She does find some time to take a break, using it to do things such as watch movies, read a book, keep in touch with family and friends, or read the news.
Ramona, who is from Williston Park, Long Island, said that the most difficult part of being in the military is being away from her family. However, she has become very close to the other members of her unit and has become like a little sister to many of them.
“I think the best part (is the) unit,” Ramona said. “The people I’m with are kind of like my family. We do everything together all the time.”
On April 18, Ramona arrived in New York for the first leave she has had in a year. She described the leave as being the light at the end of the tunnel, saying that it is nice to have something to look forward to.
“It’s great and it feels so nice to be back,” Ramona said. “Every day has been great.”
Ramona has been spending time with her parents, Judith and Fred, and sisters, 22-year-old H/lne and 19-year-old Sara, as well as some of her high school friends. She has also been visiting her grandparents at North Shore Towers. They moved in about a month ago from Manhasset Hills and already had many friends who are residents.
While at the Towers, Ramona has been making use of the gym and swimming pool. She said that she loves the view and that everything there seems perfect.
Edith said that they are very proud of their granddaughter and that words cannot describe how good it feels to have her home again. She said that having Ramona serve in the military brought back memories of when Mitchell served overseas during World War I. However, she said that it has been a little easier since Ramona has had access to phone and e-mail in order to keep in contact with them.
“We’re very proud of her,” Edith said. “She’s done so well.”
After her unit has completed its 15 months in Afghanistan, they will return to Europe.
“The experiences we have over the last 15 months we’ll be able to talk about for the rest of our lives,” Ramona said. “We’ll always have this common bond.”
Ramona recently received a promotion recommendation from her boss and expects to be made captain in late summer or early fall.
Once her five-year service obligation has been completed, Ramona said that she has still not decided if she will stay in the military or if she will pursue something else.