News>Through Airmen's Eyes: Love, service, sacrifice define Airman's career
Photos
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate sits on her motorcycle June 12, 2013, outside her home in Kinston, N.C. Pate was named North Carolina Servicewoman of the Year by the American Legion Auxiliary Past Presidents Parley for her “dedicated support, contribution and commitment to serving in the Armed Forces.” Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal NCO in-charge of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey White)
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate maneuvers a robot June 13, 2013, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Explosive ordnance disposal teams use robots for reconnaissance and keeping distance between personnel and explosives. Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD NCO in-charge of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey White)
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of North Carolina Past Presidents Parley present Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate with an award at a convention in June 14, 2013, in Raleigh, N.C. According to the legion, Pate was recognized as the North Carolina Servicewoman of the year for her “dedicated support, contribution and commitment to serving in the Armed Forces.” Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal NCO in-charge of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey White)
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate relaxes with her dog, Art, June 12, 2013, at her home in Kinston, N.C. Pate and Art are each other’s biggest supporters since her husband died supporting combat operations in Afghanistan in 2011. Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal NCO in-charge of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey White)
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate flips through a book of EOD Service member tattoo stories and photos June 12, 2013, at her home in Kinston, N.C. In the book, Pate displayed several of her tattoos which match those of her late husband. Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal NCO in-charge of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey White)
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate displays a photo blanket on her bed June 12, 2013, at her home in Kinston, N.C. The blanket, a gift from her sister, contains Pate’s favorite photos of her and her late husband. Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal NCO in-charge of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aubrey White)
Brianna Pate (left), Air Force Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. EJ Pate, and Ashton Pate pose for a family photo. Pate was recently named North Carolina Servicewoman of the Year by the American Legion Auxiliary Past Presidents Parley in Raleigh, N.C. EJ Pate, a former explosive ordnance disposal technician, was killed in action in 2011. Kimberly Pate is the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD NCO in-charge of operations. (Courtesy photo)
by Senior Airman Aubrey White
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/24/2013 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) -- (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)
An Airman here disarms explosive devices for a living, rides a Harley Davidson for fun and has tattoos all over to illustrate stories of love, pain and triumph.
She is Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate, the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, NCO in charge of operations.
In 2011, Pate's husband, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. EJ Pate, also an EOD technician, was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan. This tragic event was a turning point in Pate's career that led her to continue striving for greatness.
"About a month from coming home on my second deployment was when I was notified of my husband's death," she explained with pain in her eyes and a quivery voice.
The Pates were both deployed at the same time; she to Southwest Asia and he to Afghanistan. Her husband recently returned from a week-long mission and emailed her just to say he was back, safe and would call in the morning. A couple hours later, he woke up to tell her he couldn't sleep and wanted to let her know he was thinking about her and loved her. The entire next day, Pate said she just had a feeling she was going to get a phone call, whether it'd be from her husband, or his unit.
She had the day off and decided to see a movie with some of her teammates, and emailed her husband before heading off. During the movie, she received the call that changed her life.
Thoughts raced through Pate's mind as she tried to figure out a purpose for the call, she said. Her mind drew a blank until she saw her new commander, his eyes blood-shot and swollen. At that point she said she knew.
"I dropped everything in my hands, stumbled back into the desk (and asked) 'what happened to my husband?'" Pate said.
They didn't answer.
"I knew at that point something horrible was wrong," Pate said. "They wouldn't talk; they just shook their heads, looked down and said 'I'm sorry.' I remember screaming, yelling, asking them what happened; 'just tell me he's breathing, he got hurt. Do I need to go to Germany? Do I need to meet him somewhere? Is he okay?'"
Although Pate said she doesn't remember much of the conversation, she does remember they finally calmed her down and she fell to the floor, curled up sobbing and cried so hard she felt sick.
Her husband's unit notified her of the incident as early as possible, at the time they weren't sure if he was alive or not. According to Pate, his unit did everything they could to save her husband.
"I drove straight out to the flightline, ran up on the back of a C-130 with a backpack and headed to Germany because his body was not going to move without me," Pate said. "I was on the (flight that brought him home) and escorted him throughout the whole funeral."
In the time since her husband's death, Pate has tried to keep his memory alive, honor him and continue his work.
In order to commemorate her late husband, Pate submitted photos of her and her husband's matching tattoos, and the story behind each piece of art for an EOD service member tattoo book.
"The bomb on the wrist was a matching tattoo EJ and I got because we didn't want the standard (EOD occupational badge) tattoo, but we wanted something to represent our job," she wrote in the book. "The bleeding heart, (with the script) 'Tantum Quondam,' is because everything in life is only once. You only live once, truly love once and die once ... EJ was my one true love and now he is gone."
Pate said although life has brought her trials and tribulations, she finds solace in knowing what she does helps protect and defend her nation and its people.
After this tragic event, Pate was given the opportunity to step away from the EOD career field and move on with her life, but instead chose to stay and "finish the job."
"I tell my kids all the time their dad died doing something with a purpose," Pate said. I am extremely proud of what he did. We do our job, we do everything we can. Anyone in our position would do the same thing."
While her husband's death has altered her life and career, it doesn't define her as a person, she said. She is an EOD technician, a woman in the military who said she is proud to be a wife, mother and servicewoman.
Recently, she was named North Carolina Servicewoman of the Year by the American Legion Auxiliary Past Presidents Parley in Raleigh, N.C.
To be considered for the award, Pate submitted a 750-word narrative about why she supports the role of women in today's military. She was chosen to represent North Carolina servicewomen at the auxiliary's state convention and is invited to attend the national convention in August in San Antonio, Texas, where she will compete against 49 other nominees for the National Servicewoman title.
"Women have made many strides over the years and proven themselves capable to achieve things that others have seen as 'not fit for them,'" Pate wrote in her essay. "I fully support people following their dreams and shooting as high as they can. If a woman wants to fly a jet, provide medical attention in the field, fight on the front lines or disarm improvised explosive devices, I say go for it."
Comments
6/28/2013 12:16:52 PM ET No one is saying Chief C was incorrect for pointing out the potential violation it's that Chief C obviously missed the point of the entire article.
SBFL, The Beach
6/27/2013 4:42:08 PM ET Chief C is a great example of why I plan to retire at MSgt.
Stuart, Planet Earth
6/27/2013 4:38:21 PM ET Making judgement appropriate choice of words considering how quick the public is to judge these days. I'm pretty sure the Chief is talking about the massive forearm tattoos that the public is bound to see while in short sleeves. Without reading this article and knowing the strength of this individual at first glance does the public know about the far deeper meaning of these No. They will judge based on first impression. Moral of concern Careful with tattoo placement
Strategically Placed, Tattoos
6/27/2013 9:01:07 AM ET While I am moved with her story and inspiring attitude I appreciate Chief C's comment. It is also our responsibility to be a wingman and educate our airmen on standards. It starts from there. There maybe reasons for that big tattoo however it looks like it was out of the standard. This is what is wrong with us in the military now we are too sensitive on everything. We are special people of higher standards accept that. It is an institution full of tradition. It is now being politicized and civilianized and people in the Air Force now are a bunch of politically correct no backbones softies.
Rich, Retired
6/27/2013 2:34:31 AM ET Well-done SSgt Pate and keep up what you are doing. T-Dub you are spot-on for sure and well-stated
JR, Southwest Asia
6/27/2013 1:04:29 AM ET @Chief C the consensus seems to be that if it is an emotional story you should look the other way or simply keep quiet. That leads me to believe you are NOT the problem.
CKJ, CONUS
6/26/2013 12:09:13 PM ET Thanks Chief C now I know it is true that some strive to be Chief by hammering folks.
SBFL, The Beach
6/26/2013 8:08:52 AM ET You are a true inspiration SSgt Pate. Thank you. As for you Chief C it takes more than wearing the stripes to make a Chief.
JD, PA
6/26/2013 6:45:53 AM ET Chief C's comment is unacceptable and owes this young lady an apology. Making judgement without having the facts and not knowing if she was appropriately evaluated IAW 36-2903 is indicative of a poor leader.
KC, Wy
6/25/2013 2:45:30 PM ET Chief C from San Antonio is a perfect example of someone who is simply an E-9 instead of a true Chief. He ignores the entire article to focus on one very inconsequential item. Besides...judging from where it ends on her arm a well fitting short sleeve blues shirt would cover just about all of that. Maybe a smidge would showing if that. If any was peeking through at all it would certainly be less than the 25 percent rule in AFI 36-2903.
T-Dub, Maryland
6/25/2013 11:56:49 AM ET Chief C - That is what you took from this story You fail to recognize the heartbreak she has had to endure losing her husband and the only thing you could say is something sarcastic about her tattoo showing in her blues Unreal
Steve, MD
6/24/2013 5:59:01 PM ET Thank God for NCO's like you that will and still continue to do those things that make it all worthwhile. You are an ace in the cards of every day life - especially a deck that deals with our country. All the best in whatever direction you decide to take.
Sam Parish, MD
6/24/2013 4:13:08 PM ET The large tattoo on the left arm in a short sleeve blue blouse uniform would indeed be inspirational.
Chief C, San Antonio
6/21/2013 9:14:03 AM ET Thank you for your service Your strength is an inspiration. As a father of two daughters I want them to know they are capable of achieving their dreams regardless of their gender. Your story is a perfect example. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Evan, Otis ANGB Mass.
6/21/2013 2:49:44 AM ET Ma'amI trained under EJ and Johnny Mo as EOD out of 2nd Co in Camp Lejeune. Their training helped me be alive today. If you or anyone you know want to do the Sturgis Ride I have a free stop 3 hrs out with free gas lodging food etc. provided you let me know. It's a shallow gesture but I can't do much more from here... let me know.
