THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 22, 1995 TAG: 9503210100
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: Allison Williams
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
JIM AND SHERRI BUCKLER say they love living in Isle of Wight County. But how the two Army sergeants ended up in Windsor was more a strategic maneuver than simple house hunting.
The Bucklers met in 1992 when Sherri, a clarinetist, was assigned to the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base School of Music in Virginia Beach, where Jim was an instructor. Then a Marine Corps platoon sergeant, he plays saxophone and piano.
At the end of her Little Creek stint, Sherri was sent to Fort Ord in California. Jim remained at Little Creek.
In February 1993, they took leave to marry on an ice-covered lake in Michigan. After the honeymoon, they returned to their respective bases, on opposite sides of the country.
``When we got married,'' Sherri says, ``I was on one ocean and he was on the other.''
Talk about a long-distance relationship.
Then, the following June, Sherri had an opportunity to transfer to Petersburg and perform in the Fort Lee Army Band. She took it - and they moved to Isle of Wight County.
``Windsor is dead center between Virginia Beach and Petersburg,'' Jim points out. ``It was exactly 48 miles from each post, so we bought a home here.''
You can almost picture them, the two sergeants, spreading out a map of the southeastern Virginia terrain before them, pinpointing the objective.
But the Bucklers had one more hill to take. The long drive in opposite directions was wearing them down, and it finally forced Jim to make the toughest decision of his life - to leave the Marine Corps - in November 1993.
``It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I love the Marines, and I'd be one today if it wasn't for Sherri. I joined the Army to be with her - and only on the condition that I would retain my rank, something unheard of in situations like this.''
With both of them now stationed at Fort Lee, the distance separating the newlyweds had finally closed.
The Bucklers make the 50-minute, one-way drive to Petersburg every day without complaint. And after they make the trip back each evening, they are happy to be finally, really, together in their Isle of Wight County home.
``We love being out here,'' Jim says. ``Your neighbors will do anything for you.'' MEMO: Main story on page 6.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Sherri and Jim Buckler travel 50 miles each way from their Windsor
home to play side-by-side in the Fort Lee Band.
by CNB