A Look at the Past, a Reflection on Today

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I’ve always had nostalgic perceptions of Red Cross women that served in past wars (the old days of WWI & II.) I imagine that the coffee they served seemed as sweet to soldiers as finding hidden treasure; when shaving cream and bubble gum and the sound of music coming from a record were little luxuries only afforded on occasion. 

Fast forward more than half a century later, to the battlefield of today. Like everything else, war fighting and all that it encompasses, has been touched by modern technology.  And now, the Red Cross is one among many “distracters” in theater.  The biggest challenger? The power of internet, which provides instant movies, music and the ability to chat with your family, all within the confines of your room if the signal is strong enough! To add to it, there is a plethora of MWR activities, internet cafes, gyms, and sometimes even movie theaters, all vying for service member’s off-duty time. 

And so the question beckons…are we really that needed? My initial opinion to this question has certainly been influenced during the course of four months. I think perhaps, I have proved myself wrong. 

The success of failure of the Red Cross lies in the ability of its staff and volunteers, to not merely meet the physical needs of those who call to it for help, but its ability to connect with those we serve through consistent and genuine acts of compassion. 

General Dwight Eisenhower reflected this idea many years ago when he said “The Red Cross, with its clubs for recreation, its coffee and doughnuts in the forward areas, its readiness to meet the needs of the well and help minister to the wounded-even more important, the devotion and warmhearted sympathy of the Red Cross Girl! The Red Cross has often seemed to be the friendly hand of this nation, reaching across the sea to sustain its fighting men.” 

Red Cross services have and will continue to adapt to the needs of the American soldier, but at its heart like Eisenhower said should an unsurpassable compassion. That is what will define our legacy.

In the first few days after returning home from Iraq, I found my mind wandering back to those individuals I had left behind, and even to those whom had returned before me to their own little corner of the world. It is perhaps in these reflections where I found an answer to my question.

For four months, we met needs through messaging and phone cards, shampoo and hot chocolate.  But even more meaningful was establishing a sense of community through interactions much like those you would have with a friend or a neighbor back in the states. Perhaps it is in these simple interactions that our sense of purpose is to be found.

It’s knowing that White liked M&Ms and Hall liked dots; and having them in the candy bowl when they came to the office. Or reserving the legacy room for our office regulars. Snapping pictures of new dads, and being excited for them. Spending Sunday mornings playing tennis with med staff, hopefully sharpening my skills enough to finally win a match against my dad. Getting myself up out of bed to go to spin class with Eddie and his unit. Using our GMC van to give our loyal volunteers a ride home in the middle of the night. Sorting the good, bad, and frankly unappetizing Halloween candy with Peterson.  Nightly conversations and laughter courtesy of the DFAC staff, Polcyn, Christian, Elvi, King and Palmer. Eating country fried dog and grilled cheese with Wright in the dining hall. Learning about families back at home, reminiscing with everyone about what they would be doing after deployment.

It wasn’t just about us giving. An overwhelming number of individuals also had a heart to serve us! It has many times been said that the heart of this organization lies in its volunteers; that’s true even in the farthest desert. Inniss our master overseer of the internet café and Vasquez who kept us well informed about all the base events. Our burn bin and electronic guru Art, and Ramsey the master behind our newly painted signs in the office.  Eddie our go-to for all the office decorations and for birthday days. Skean for the bags and bags of chicken that he grilled to perfection. King teaching me how to play chess. And for the many other volunteers who brought their talents, energy and even their famous marinade recipes, to our office…

...to our community.

Sing Your Blues Away: Valentine’s Day at JBB

Thousands of miles away on Valentine’s Day,

Perhaps some could use a chance, to sing their blues away.

Though your one Valentine may not be near,

A chance for some laughs, for some chocolate, and cheer.

Though one simple fact was quickly brought to light

Singing in front of a crowd can be a fright

Perhaps we could say that most preferred to strum their blues away,

With a Wii guitar in hand and the poor microphone at bay

On this day and this place

No fine china, wine or fancy food to be found here,

Just delicious grilled chicken & hot dogs made by our great volunteers

Chocolate was not lacking, not in the least,

With our day room dedicated to the sweetest of sweets.

Instant gratification with our microwavable cookies

Or more artistic approaches with our easy bake oven (not for rookies!)

Though your love may have been far away,

We hope that it was still an enjoyable day!

!

Ode to Road Races on Valentines!

Before the sun had awakened for the day,

Runners gathered for a Valentines 14K.

I was surrounded by a crowd of runners saluting the flag,

And two vocalists sang the anthem of a country we all love.

No running alone on Valentine’s Day,

So I kept pace with two Red Cross volunteers the whole way.

An hour down, we found ourselves back at the track,

Hmm that was odd, are we really that fast?

We rounded the corner and finished the race,

But we definitely didn’t run a 6:53 pace!

For some a disappointment for others a delight,

the course, we found out, wasn’t quite right,

Nearly three miles too short, but a good run nonetheless,

And we were fast enough for a T-shirt; 

we could claim success!

Feelin the Love (from one Red Crosser to another)

Getting packages always makes your heart skip a beat around here. Who thought a small box or letter could bring such excitement. 

 

Well these three Red Cross ladies in Balad are feeling very loved after receiving Valentines from fellow Red Crossers from all the way in Yokosuka, Japan! Many thanks to the Kinnick High School Red Cross club for your thoughtfulness. Your picture is proudly hanging in our office! 

 

We can’t wait to try the orange fizzing heart candies, and other yummy looking candies and wafers that you sent our way. 

Most of all we thank you for the homemade Valentine’s cards that you sent for the soldiers and airman here on JBB, as part of the Hearts Apart Operation. We have displayed them around our office for service members to read and enjoy!

 

Dust Bowl (A tale of my football toss fiasco)

We decided to take a more low key approach to the Super Bowl at the Red Cross Office. To be blunt, there was no way we could compete with the two free beers offered to each service member at the DFAC during the game. 

 

SO, we still decorated, and with the help of volunteers created a pretty sweet brain teasing super bowl challenge and advertised a football toss, prior to the game of course. 

 

Our super bowl toss turned into more of a dust bowl; causing yet another call to the fire department (this makes my third call)

Here is the play by play:

Interesting fact I have come learn here in Iraq; smoke detectors show no prejudice between smoke and dust. 

 

We decided to setup the football toss in the internet café. The ceiling was high, making the lob shot a potential strategy for hitting the target. We were excited when our neighbor’s next store decided to take the challenge. The prize was a very large assortment of football snacks, to include a 12 foot summer sausage, kindly mailed to us by the Baghdad team (not sure why they decided to sneak that in among the toiletries.)

Upon first toss, our nerf ball was covered with dust. And after 50 or so throws that bounced off the wall, you could say a little dust started to circulate not only in the room but through the air ducts as well…including those leading to the unreachable room (as I now call it.)

Of course there was no issue until Jocelyn, the holder of the cipher lock combination, that granted access to the unreachable room, had left for the evening. It was me and maybe two others who were using Skype to call home. 

And then the dreadful ring of the smoke detector began, and I had forgotten to ask for the combination. Worse yet, I didn’t know what Jocelyn’s room number was. 

There are three telephone numbers posted outside the unreachable room. Three calls and three strikes. Apparently no one manages this room any longer, leaving no reason for them to have the entry code.

To keep from driving myself crazy, and the others who were trying to carry on conversations with family, I had two options. Figure out how to find Jocelyn or make yet another call to the fire department. 

A call to the housing office was in store. I know which area she lived but no particulars, and of course they couldn’t give me the room number. They did offer to knock on the door for me. 

No answer. Sigh.

I tried a few more numbers unsuccessfully and called back the poor airman at the housing office. I asked if I could go with him to try again. 

We walk up to her door, and of course it had a huge Red Cross on the front. Embarrassing moment number one. I should have just roamed the housing area, but thought it would have looked suspicious.

Still no answer. Finally I left a sticky on the door. “ Jocelyn: smoke detector is going off in the room with the cipher lock, and I don’t know the combination. Help!”

I went back to the office, and hesitantly called the Fire Department just to ask if they had the cipher lock code, nothing more. I guaranteed them it was just dust. 

I was transferred to the assistant fire chief. He asked me if the hinges were on the inside of the door or on the outside. And I knew that was not a good sign.

They did not have the code. The door was coming off. 

Not five minutes after the fire team was dispatched to rescue me from the constant torture of a sounding smoke detector, guess who calls.

Having secured the code I picked up the phone to cancel the request for help. The operator said they would probably come anyway.

Terrible timing. I went ahead and unlocked the door and shut of the fire alarm, then in walks the fire fighters. I apologized profusely saying that the building manager had just called back with the combination. 

And they said it would have been a lot more fun if they could have torn down the door. 

Humor helps even in the most embarrassing of circumstances.

Strong Women at War

Having to share a room. Always having an audience when singing in the shower. Eating at a thousand seat dining table. Living on a base with a 15 square kilometer radius. It seems like no one would ever feel alone here.

But isolation from the ordinary, and lurking thoughts of what or whom you have left behind, can create loneliness even in the most crowded of places. It was that exact feeling that SPC Takia Andrews and SPC Racurica York of the 289^th Quarter Master Company wanted to bring to the forefront. 

Their event “Strong Women at War” was planned with the purpose of reassuring women that they aren’t at war alone, that the struggles stirring in one soul will most likely be rousing in your neighbors as well. 

Red Cross Staffer Neelum signing the banner

Our Red Cross ladies team had the privilege of supporting the event, with my co-worker Neelum actually performing in the program. As I watched a dozen or so performances; from hula, to poetry, singing, inspirational speeches, I quickly identified a common theme: One of the greatest challenges that woman in the military face is the ability to serve your country and still be a good mom. 

Sitting in the audience, I listened to women who had been criticized by other family members for leaving their children behind. A mother who had to leave her daughters with her church family because her husband was also deployed. And yet another questioned on how she could put dinner on the table and still be in the military. 

What I did not see was a pity party, nor regret. What I saw was a confident belief, among these women, that they have the ability to do both, and do both well.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” And “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Red Cross staff with the SPC  Andrews and SPC York

These women’s hearts are for their country and for their children. They shared their tips with one another; the magic and usefulness of a Crock-pot to put dinner on the table, the importance of finding ways to be motherly downrange, to be a mentor, to be in service to others, like you would a family back at home. They shared their talents, their faith, their humor, and a made a call to rely on one another. 

So for all mothers in the military you have my utmost respect. I grew up with my parents in the military, and can honestly say that my pride for their service far outweighs my brief periods of sadness for when they were gone on TDY or deployment. I loved telling people that my parents were in the Air Force.

And more than anything, there is fulfillment in the fact that your work ensures opportunity for your children on all levels. On a small scale, the opportunity to experience life in all kinds of places, to have friends from all over, to develop the skill to adapt to change quickly. And on a larger scale, you are working ensure that they feel safe, remain free and take great pride in this great country that we call America!

No Borders on BBQs

If you think about America’s traditions, barbeques are pretty high on the list. And the beauty of a barbeque is they can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish. Even here, with a small shoppette, where sometimes there is no shampoo to be found, you can always find a bbq. Oh the simple pleasures which bring a little taste of America. 

 

Barbeques don’t always need an occasion, but in this case, we were having a going away for our volunteer Vasquez and some of our other Red Cross regulars. They fired up the grill and we had chicken marinated in a bbq sauce, hot dogs, and shrimp seasoned with butter and some good old Tony C’s (thank you to my Louisiana family members!) We scrounged potatoes from the DFAC, had chips and queso and assortment of other finger foods; it was a feast! There is something wonderful about cooking a sharing meal together. 

 

 After everyone had had their fill, we broke out the Phase 10. I don’t have a winning history under my belt with this game, and my friends Jenn and Isaac Younkin can testify to this. And I’m sorry to say that my losing streak continued. My colleagues Neelum and Jocelyn had never played, but have since in my mind become addicted to the game! They played at least two more times during the course of the next day. 

 

It was one of those evenings that seemed so normal we nearly forgot where we were. Needless to say we will be looking for many more reasons to fire up the grill!

Journey to the Star Wars Cantina

It was one of the few days out of the year that rain fell in the desert. Not the 15 minute south Florida downpour, but of the Pacific Northwest kind; moderate and continual. Enough that little Tigris and Euphrates rivers started forming all over base. And enough to eliminate any solid ground. But the weather was not going to stop us from seeking out a mystery café referred to by some, as the Star Wars Cantina. 

 

Having been enclosed within a few mile radius for the last few months, we were more than ready to take a mini road trip of sorts, with the cantina as the end goal. Neelum, John and I already wet from the walk to the Red Cross office, hopped in our GMC Safari van and set off down the road toward the gas station. All classic road trips begin with a pit stop. Though there was no snack shop, neither was there a gas bill. Fair tradeoff I suppose. 

 

It was by no means the sun in your face, no cloud in the sky iconic road trip. And the rain, though challenging, certainly provided a more memorable experience. The most difficult challenge however, was not the weather; it was the fact that we really had no idea where to start looking for this mystery café. Was it a myth or reality? All we knew was that it was supposedly frequented by truck drivers. I know what you’re thinking…too many unknowns right?

We resolved to head to DFAC 4, on the outskirts of our little microcosm. It wasn’t long before we reached our first tourist attraction! I had spotted a familiar icon of my past. Apparently the gator logo is the official symbol of the ice stops on base. And to use a now cliché phrase, the gator nation is truly everywhere. I snapped a quick picture and ran back to the car. 

 

Go GATORS!

Through puddles, gravel, and lots of rain, we finally arrived to DFAC 4. We needed a lead…and a cup of hot chocolate to warm up. John wasted no time in questioning the staff. By the time we entered, he already had a clue. Apparently the official name for the Star Wars Cantina was the convoy café. The staff warned us that it was nothing special; in fact they said that the food for the café was supplied by DFAC 4. For a moment we thought that perhaps the cantina was best kept to our imagination. But that moment quickly faded, and we asked for directions! It wasn’t as much about the food as it was seeing the cantina existed with our own two eyes. 

 

We grabbed hot chocolate, and John some jerky and we hit the road. You could say that we didn’t have the clearest instructions…the staff told us we probably wouldn’t be able to find it. When we drove off the paved road, which is quite common here, I immediately wished that it was indeed one of those sunny and clear iconic days. The steadiness of the rain produced a major problem: mud. During the last big rain, the van got stuck in the middle of the DFAC parking lot. I wasn’t there, but my colleagues ended up having to be pulled from the muck. 

No road trip is complete without snacks

  After driving a few minutes in the muddy mess and pouring rain, our hopes of finding the Star Wars Cantina were near extinguished. Had it been up to me we probably would have turned back. But I’m the only one in the group who was bashful. Neelum pulled up next to a bus driver and John didn’t hesitate to ask for directions. It was a miracle that the bus driver was actually familiar with the café. With a new set of directions, we took off and ended up making a wrong turn right off the bat. But good providence brought us back across the bus driver’s path. 

 

I think the driver appreciated our ambition. He gave up on verbal directions and just said to follow him! The only problem was, we had to cross a very large puddle. Neelum was hesitant; John told her, whatever you do, don’t stop! And so Neelum put the pedal to the metal and we came out on the other side. We were one puddle closer to the Star Wars Cantina. 

 

After riding a few minutes, the bus driver pulled over and drew us a map to guide us the rest of the way. Our confidence was high for a few moments, until we started making wrong turns again. Somehow, amongst all the wrong turns, we made a right one and there it was in all its glory…the convoy café…the Star Wars Cantina. Of course lunch hour had passed. We could not enter its doors, but that really didn’t matter to us. I am almost glad it was closed, because what lies inside is completely left up to our imagination, and there would be no disappointments. 

 

The infamous Star Wars Cantina!

We had to capture the moment with a quick picture, and we asked the guard so that all three of us could be included. The guard said that we looked familiar, and then we realized that it was Eddie. Eddie comes to the Red Cross office almost every day for hours on end. We had the key to the Star Wars Cantina at our finger tips the entire time. We laughed pretty hard over such a coincidence. 

 

Having felt quite accomplished, we headed back to civilization, but had one more tourist stop to make. We stopped to snap a photo on David Letterman Loop, and almost sank in the mud. My tennis shoes took a hard hit. 

 

Cold, wet, yet satisfied at our accomplishment, we remembered we were hungry and went to a Turkish café located conveniently on a paved road. The owner had compassion and brought us tea to warm up. 

   

Here is to adventures even in the most confined of spaces!

We’re not all about Bad News and Blood

Bad zen. Bad luck. They want our blood, they have bad news. Oh no, run, it’s the Red Cross. 

 

So perhaps, I’m being a bit exaggerative.

But, I continue to be surprised and usually amused by the different impressions that people have of the Red Cross. The two most frequent impressions around here, blood and bad news. 

 

I finally figured out why it takes some convincing on our part to get people to come to our office. They think we are after their blood! Nothing a bit of public relations cannot fix. Just think, they can come to our office and enjoy a cup of coffee and some fresh baked bread without being poked with a needle! And thus my new battle cry…we aren’t just about bad news and blood.

My colleague, Neelum and I went to an event about a month ago and asked to speak to the captain in charge just to learn more about future volunteer opportunities. Next thing we know, she comes walking toward us clearly apprehensive…worried, she said, that we had come with bad news. We apologized for causing such anxiety and told her not to worry.

We normally speak with a handful of units every night. Most welcome our calls, or a least become accustom to them. But every once in awhile you “make the phone call” and an argument pursues (friendly of course) who is going to take the Red Cross message. I of course proceed to ask “Am I that unpleasant to talk to?” and laughter generally follows. So needless to say, during the holidays we decided to smooth things over a bit and send care packages…with cards that said “We thought you might like something other than bad news for a change.”

We are delighted when people ask what we do here. It’s our chance to eliminate any fears of stepping into our office, and tell them about all good things we have to offer! A chance to make a cake on your birthday. Phone cards. Candy. Books. DVDs. Fresh bread. A private room to communicate with your family. Hot chocolate. Big screen TVS. A wii. bbqs. Special events. Nice people to talk to. And it will only cost them a pint of blood (just kidding!)