Photo By Capt. Holly Elkin | From left: Sgt. 1st Class Laudert, an intelligence analyst with the 34th Combat...... read more read more
CAMP BUERHING, Kuwait —“I didn’t know if our paths would cross,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lowell Laudert as he sat with his brother, Spc. Cameron Laudert.
The brothers, both from Monticello, Minnesota, are deployed together in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Kuwait. They serve in separate units and components of the U.S. Army.
Cameron, who serves as a health care specialist, is assigned to the 452nd Combat Support Hospital of the U.S. Army Reserve, based out of Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Lowell, an intelligence analyst, is assigned to the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Minnesota Army National Guard, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.
When Cameron deployed to Kuwait last year, he never imagined he would be sharing lunches with his brother at the Camp Buehring dining facility.
“As soon as I got here, I tracked him down,” said Lowell as the brothers reflected on their reunion. Cameron, having been deployed for several months before his brother joined him, had grown accustomed to being called by his last name. When he heard a familiar voice calling out “Cameron,” he was unsure of how to react. Cameron smiled and recalled he reached out for a hug from his brother.
“When my brother joined the Army, the first time I saw him, I thought ‘wow, I really want to do this,’” said Cameron. And while Cameron looks up to his brother for his success and accomplishments as a noncommissioned officer, Lowell sees to it that his relationship with Cameron is more about enduring brotherhood than career mentorship.
The Laudert brothers not only have a strong family connection, which they say has helped to influence their success serving in the military, but they also speak with pride of their Native American heritage as enrolled members of the White Earth Nation.
“We’re veterans of two nations,” said Lowell.
The pride he conveys when he speaks about serving as a strong member of the White Earth Nation and as a Soldier is nothing but heartfelt.
“I have learned more than I can ever talk about,” said Cameron referring to his time in Kuwait. He is humble about his accomplishments in service to his unit, except to say that his is proud of his work and the knowledge he can bring home.
Once they are both back on Minnesota soil later next year, the brothers have plans to strengthen their spiritual and cultural traditions together. Cameron looks forward to a bright future and hopes to attend medical school. He aspires to become a chemical dependency counselor. Lowell will return to his full-time position with the Minnesota National Guard as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade readiness noncommissioned officer.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2014 05:45 |
| Story ID: | 142141 |
| Location: | CAMP BUERHING, KW |
| Hometown: | MONTICELLO, MN, US |
| Web Views: | 766 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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