Lu'au goodies on way to Iraq
By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
In the four months that her husband, Maj. Russell Rebmann, has been serving in Iraq, Laura Schoenrock Rebmann has sent him care packages of food, sand, seashells, even printer paper.
But her latest was a doozy.
RUSSELL REBMANN
Yesterday, Schoenrock Rebmann, 30, mailed out 100 silk flower lei, 10 grass skirts and an assortment of Hawai'i-themed goodies courtesy of ABC Stores.
Russell Rebmann, 42, an Army reservist who worked at Fort Shafter, was called to duty with his old command, the 350th Civil Affairs Command, for a 13-month deployment in Iraq to help establish civilian government.
A veteran of seven previous deployments — including service in Bosnia, Kosovo and Panama — Rebmann understands the importance of maintaining troop morale during the long, often dispiriting work of rebuilding.
And what better morale booster than a kitschy Hawaiian lu'au?
"So he called me and asked if I could send him some leis and hula skirts," said Schoenrock Rebmann, who in turn called ABC president Paul Kosasa, a business acquaintance.
"We just put some stuff together," Kosasa said. "If it will help morale, it'll be worth it. They're out there fighting for our freedoms, and, philosophically, I think putting on a lu'au for our troops is a pretty cool thing."
Schoenrock Rebmann said she isn't sure what kind of menu her husband will be able to wrangle ("I don't think they'll be able to manage poi," she said) but the many lei themselves should be enough to brighten the spirits of the dozens of Army and Marine soldiers from Hawai'i expected to attend.
"People up there are amazed that he's from Hawai'i," Schoenrock Rebmann said. "They'd never expect to have a lu'au there."
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Schoenrock Rebmann and her husband first met last July. They got engaged on Christmas morning during a visit with Schoenrock Rebmann's family in New York. They married on New Year's Eve morning at the Ritz-Carlton. And two days later, the two kissed goodbye at John F. Kennedy International Airport —Rebmann on his way to Iraq, Schoenrock Rebmann back to Honolulu.
Laura Schoenrock Rebmann prepares a carton of silk flower lei to be mailed from the downtown post office to husband in Iraq, Maj. Russell Rebmann. Other boxes contained grass skirts and Hawai'i-themed goodies, courtesy of ABC stores.
The two have kept as close contact as possible, exchanging dozens of digital photos, e-mails and — when something shocking pops up in the news — very brief cell phone calls.
"One time he was talking to me from a rooftop and he was describing these explosions a few blocks away," Schoenrock Rebmann said. "The next day, I saw it on the news.
"It makes you approach life a little differently. You don't take having hot water, or any water, for granted. You appreciate being able to walk down the street and not be afraid of bombs in the garbage cans."
Schoenrock Rebmann said she hopes her latest care package will help troops endure the difficult days ahead.
"Morale upkeep is such a fundamental part of their being able to focus on their job," she said. "It's not easy."
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2461.
