PARIS — For the past five months, Daniel Conrod of Lewiston has sat down to a simple breakfast at the Cob Adder military base in Iraq.
On Friday, however, he seemed almost overwhelmed as he and his wife, Catherine, received a seven-course feast at King's Hill Inn. Janice Davis, who runs the bed and breakfast with her husband, Glenn, shuttled between the dining room and kitchen, keeping the table stocked with coffee and homemade waffles, doughnuts and lemon squares.
"I think this is the biggest breakfast I've eaten in months," Daniel said.
A private first class in the 619th Transportation Company of the U.S. Army Reserves, Daniel was deployed in June for a one-year tour of duty. Returning home to Lewiston this month for a 15-day furlough, he and Catherine became the first couple to take advantage of a special offer at the inn.
For all military personnel returning to Maine from a combat zone to visit family or coming back to their stations, Davis is offering a free overnight stay and morning meal. She said the gesture is to thank military members for their service and to give them a tranquil getaway.
"For me, for the soldiers, I want that escape from the war front and that reunification with their spouse or their loved one," she said.
The Davises purchased the property, the 1811 birthplace of former Postmaster Horatio King, in 1998 and opened the inn the following year. Janice Davis said it was difficult to see her son, Capt. Aaron Davis, go overseas with the Air Force in 2006, when he served for a year in the war in Afghanistan. She decided to make the offer after realizing that such departures would be even more heartbreaking for the spouses of active-duty soldiers.
In addition to the overnight offer, Davis said the inn will give a 28-percent discount to any member or veteran of the U.S. military. She said it is in honor of Aaron, who is 28 years old.
"My goal is that it will start a grassroots effort right here in Western Maine that will spread all the way to California, where my son is," she said.
Daniel Conrod, who grew up in Windham, entered the Army in 2000 when he was 17 years old. After being stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky and Fort Hood in Texas, he was placed on inactive reserve and returned to Maine. He and Catherine met five years ago and have been married for three years.
After being on inactive reserve for two years, Daniel re-enlisted and has been with the 619th Transportation Company for the past three years. In Iraq, he drives trucks carrying everything from tanks to giant container lifters.
"It's really not all that bad," he said. "The Iraqi people have really taken over. Yeah, it stinks being away from my wife and my home, but I'm doing my little part for my country."
Conrod said the first thing that hit him upon leaving his plane was the oven-like blast of heat. He recalled having meals with the locals, playing football with a chem-light-rigged pigskin after a loss of power and lounging with fellow soldiers, drinking "near beer" and smoking cigarettes.
"It was great. We were just relaxing." he said. "Times like that are what we cherished the most."
He also made sure to keep in touch with Catherine through letters and online chats. Soldiers are eager to receive packages with homemade goods and treats, Conrod said. His favorite shipment from home included exactly what he was looking for: coffee, dental floss and Sour Patch Kids.
His wife, Catherine, said that despite the communication, it was painful to be in an empty house with her daughter at college.
"While he was away, it was really hard," she said. "It was all very different and I didn't know how to address it."
She found out about the offer at King's Hill Inn through the Maine Army National Guard Family Program. The couple was spending the night at the inn before visiting the shops in Norway.
"We've never known that this place was here, and I'm glad we found it," Catherine said. "It's just like being in the most comfortable home."
Davis said she had spoken with several local business owners who have made offers of their own to those who do the overnight stay. Maurice Restaurant Francais gave the Conrods a free dinner; Littlefield's Greenhouse provided a bouquet of seasonal flowers; Maine Balsam Fir Products donated balsam pillows, and Cafe Nomad and Wal-Mart each donated gift certificates.
Davis said she had not expected servicemen to start responding to the offer until December. However, two other couples scheduled visits for November, although one later canceled. Though the inn is for sale, the Davises intend to allow members of the military to stay overnight at their own home if the next innkeeper does not continue the practice.
"It couldn't have been more perfect," Janice Davis said of the Conrods' stay. "It's exactly what I envisioned."
mlangeveld@sunjournal.com
What a wonderful story and I appreciate the Sunjornal for writing it for us to read.
Janice and Glenn Davis, Maurice Restaurant Francais, Littlefield's Greenhouse, Cafe Nomad and Walmart, I commend ALL of you for this wonderful gift you have provided for Daniel Conrod and his wife Catherine. I love to see the kindness you have all provided.
May God Bless ALL our troops!
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What a touching story. Thank
What a touching story. Thank you Mr & Mrs Davis, Mairice's Littlefields, Cafe Nomad, and Walmart. Hopefully this idea will spread across the country, so our servicemen and women will know that their efforts are appreciated.
Thank you also to all our servicemen and women for being there for all of us.