Soldier: Thanks for support (4/28/03)

My friends in Jay County:

One year ago I had an experience that I will never forget. As a member of the United States Air Force, a large number of my base, my squadron and I were sent to Pakistan to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom. We built from bare sand a functional Air Force Base. It was suffocatingly hot; 120 to 140 degree weather, we were facing a water shortage, desert "critters," and we mourned for our families.

My squadron created a dining tent which we named "UGR Fridays" complete with a wooden sign that resembled the famous "TGI Fridays." When we arrived at the base, we soldiers had been eating UGR's (a large sardine can containing 100 year old food). We also had MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat), which is a meal in a package that could be 4 or 5 years old. Of course, three days of MRE's is enough to make anyone lose their appetite, so when fresh vegetables, meats, and fruits arrived, UGR Fridays had a line that extended out the door of our tent, and down the mud-packed road in front of the dining tent.

We built a "rec center" which included two pool tables, a ping-pong table, and a couple dart boards. We created a fitness center to keep all of our troops in top physical condition. Moving weight machines in 140 degrees is hard work! We worked hard on building everyone's morale, keeping everyone strong, and feeding everyone with "almost home-cooking."

On April 27th of last year, after being in Pakistan for a month, my father and mother, Steven and Connie Myron, placed my picture in the newspaper for my 20th birthday. Not long after, I started receiving letters from people all around the county. Some letters came from my former Jay County teachers, people I had gone to school with, people I had known as a little girl, children, and some people I had never met. I received approximately 15-20 letters a day. I received home-grown four-leaf clovers and many messages that prayers were being sent up for me. This support meant the world to me and gave me the strength to put a smile on my face and help others keep a positive attitude. I made it through my deployment because of all of you.

I would like to say "Thank You!" to all the people who wrote me and prayed for me and the other troops during our times of need. I have kept all of my letters, and will someday show them to my children. The letters I received touched my heart, and will never be forgotten. They gave me the strength and encouragement to keep going when the days were too hot, and I didn't think I could lift another muscle. They made me look forward to another day.

I look back now and think about how much I grew up during my deployment to Pakistan, as did many of the troops that accompanied me. I also think about how many great people I met, and how blessed I was to have the support from back home. I know that your prayers kept me safe. An errant missile landed close to my tent but did not explode. Perhaps one of those Jay County Angels threw herself on the missile just in time.

I am now back in the states at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga., working on encouraging my own husband as he fights the war overseas. I am now in the shoes of everyone who has stayed home while their loved one is overseas fighting in a war. It is very frightening, and stressful. It is easy to believe that the military knows first about what is going on overseas, but we get our news from CNN just like everyone. (My television is constantly tuned into the news.)

I ask that everyone please pray hard for my husband, Shawn Vanzandt, and all of our troops that are still overseas. War is very scary for everyone. But there are some things that are worth fighting for. When one has freedom it is so easy to take it for granted. When you live in another country, you experience it and it has a lasting impression like nothing else can give. I saw the people in Pakistan constantly digging in our trash, eating our leftovers, wearing whatever clothing items they could find, and living in grass huts right outside of our base. Women and children were material possessions. We should wake up every morning and breathe the sweet air of freedom into our lungs and with the same breath thank the Lord.

Being in the military helps to put life into perspective. I went into the military for one reason; I'm staying in the military for another. I am proud to put on my uniform every day.

I'm still on pins and needles waiting for my husband. I consider my husband as "my hero" and I'm waiting for, "when my letter says, 'Your soldier's coming home.'"

Katie Brown Vanzandt,

A1C, USAF

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