Island connection
Posted by Michelle Tan on September 17th, 2008 filed in Michelle Tan: Notes From Afghanistan
I got a really nice surprise today when Scott and I came back to Camp Eggers from an assignment. A first sergeant came up to me and asked if I work for Army Times. When I said yes, I asked him how he knew me. It turns out he’s from Guam, and his buddies had told him I was headed his way and asked that he take care of me if he saw me.
Photographer Sheila Vemmer and I embedded with the Guam National Guard earlier this year when we were on assignment in the Horn of Africa. The soldiers were amazing – and they were amazing cooks, too – and they really made us feel at home. We were really impressed at how they took us in, cooked for us, talked to us about their families and the importance of family and friendship, and shared with us a short but memorable glimpse into their lives and their culture.
I corresponded by e-mail with a couple of the guys after we got home from Africa, but it’s been months since we’ve been in touch. The first sergeant said word gets around across the island – no kidding.
Needless to say, it was very, very cool to know that they remember me and were still looking out for me. Now if only they would cook for me again…
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.