Family: Making Lemos of it

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kent Kagarise
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The holidays are often a time when families are either brought together or torn apart - leaving some loved ones thankful that the Yule log only comes out once a year.

For Staff Sgt. Sariethia Lemos, 442nd Fighter Wing education and training specialist, the packing up and storage of the holiday decorations does not symbolize a break from family, but the start of another year of family investment.

A native of Hawaii, Sergeant Lemos left her mother, father and two sisters behind in 1999 in search of a change when she was a mere 20 years old.

"I wanted to get away from the islands and try something new, so I met up with a friend in New York City where I lived for two years," Sergeant Lemos said.

When she returned to Hawaii she discovered that her sisters had matured into their teens and the big sister/little sister relationship had drastically changed. The little girls she once helped raised now seemed distant. Sergeant Lemos' younger sister, Mazie Purdue, had decided to explore her independence forsaking the wisdom of her older sister.

"Sariethia took care of me like I was her little baby doll, but in my teen years I didn't talk to her because she was always on the straight and narrow," Ms. Purdue said.

In continuing pursuit of her Air Force career, Sergeant Lemos would eventually find herself at Whiteman Air Force Base in November 2008 and very concerned about Mazie, who was living in Las Vegas.

"She has so much potential and just wasn't on the right path," Sergeant Lemos said.

At the same time Ms. Purdue was facing some realities about the path she was traveling.

"Life without my sister was bad and I knew the only way I could get my life together was with her," Ms. Purdue said.

Sergeant Lemos began to explore her options by making a few phone calls to family members.

"I took advantage of an opportunity to bring her out here in hopes of applying lessons I've learned in life to help her better herself," Sergeant Lemos said.

Lessons of life, in conjunction with Air Force training, have afforded Sergeant Lemos a rare opportunity to help her sister to the next phase of life.

"I'm able to see myself in her, so I've encouraged her to finish school," Sergeant Lemos said.

Ms. Purdue is working full time at a restaurant while in her second semester at State Fair Community College studying to become a registered nurse, but her Air Force battle-ready sister is the factor she says keeps her on track.

"My parents tried to steer me right by giving me unconditional love, but with my sister it's tough love," Ms. Purdue said. "The Air Force worked wonders in her life. It has its own set of rules and Sariethia likes to follow rules as well as enforce them."

Sergeant Lemos said communication is the key to her relationship with her sister.

"We aren't only sisters, we're best friends who can talk about everything without having to worry about stepping on each other's toes," Sergeant Lemos said.

There is no mistaking the level of respect and admiration Ms. Purdue has for her sister and speaks fondly of her newfound life far away from the beautiful islands of Hawaii -- here in the Midwest.

"Sariethia demands success and raises warriors and in her house. Failure is not an option," Ms. Purdue said.

This positive mental attitude is echoed by Staff Sergeant Lemos' supervisor Tech. Sergeant Ron Watkins, non commissioned officer in charge of the 442nd Fighter Wing Education and Training Center.

"She's a team player with a can-do personality and is able to catch on quickly," Sergeant Watkins said. "She brings a lot of active-duty traits with her to the (office) and she's my back up when I'm not here."

Perhaps Airmen's training, discipline and structure may be communicated in a way that draws family together in the aftermath of the holiday season rather than tearing them apart.