Army Celebrates, Soldiers Reflect

Photo By Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish | Pfc. Leach Keene, N.H., 114th Public Affairs Detachment, poses for a picture during the Army's 234th birthday. She is the youngest soldier assigned to Multi-National Corps-Iraq.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.15.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish 

114th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD—Service members at Camp Victory, Iraq celebrated the Army's 234th birthday yesterday with cakes, music, videos and words from the commanding general, Multi-National Force-Iraq, General Raymond T. Odierno.

Prior to the celebration the youngest and oldest soldier assigned to I Corps, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, reflected on the difference 31 years in the Army can make.

In the summer of 1967, Master Sgt. Austin Asher, Berea, Ohio, MNC-I food services, received a letter in the mail that said "Greetings from the President of the United States, you have been inducted into the United States Army."

He left from Cleveland on a train bound for Fort Knox, Ky., having been drafted in support of the Vietnam War.

"No bonuses, they gave us what was called a flying twenty, to get you toiletries," explained Asher. "Of course we all played cards and I lost mine playing poker."

Pfc. Karin Leach, Keene, N.H., 114th Public Affairs Detachment, received a $20,000 bonus for her enlistment into the New Hampshire Army National Guard in 2008, leaving for basic training after graduating high school.

"I joined for the chance to go over to another country that doesn't have the rights we take for granted, that are less fortunate than us, and tell their story through words and photographs," Leach said.

She boarded an airplane and arrived at Fort Jackson, S.C.

"I remember waking up early, it was still dark, and I asked my drill sergeant if it was necessary; that didn't go over well," recalled Leach.

Asher chuckled and then replied, "I can't imagine asking my drill sergeant anything, I was scared to death of my drill sergeant."

Asher's arrival to basic was a wet one.

"They walked us in the rain to a dining facility and walked us single file through the dining facility in one side and out the other with two pieces of bread and a meatball the size of a softball and I stood in the rain eating the soggy bread reading a sign that said, 'Welcome'."

There have been many changes in the Army since Asher enlisted. Chow halls now use plastic trays instead of aluminum and kevlar helmets replaced 'steel pots'.

"We had an M-14 full metal jacket 7.62 and we learned to disassemble and reassemble it just like your M16, but with a lot more moving parts" Asher explained to Leach.

When Asher had been at Fort Knox the M-151 Jeep was still in use and most of the military vehicles contained a standard transmission.

"I don't even know how to drive a stick," remarked Leach. "Out here we drive a Ford Explorer, and I could drive a Humvee if I had to."

Leach then told Asher a story in which the drill sergeant had told her to do pushups until he was sweating, which she didn't understand because the barracks were air conditioned.

"You actually had air conditioning in your barracks," asked Asher. "Wow, we opened our windows."

While stationed at Fort Lewis Asher lived in wooden barracks that were still heated by coal bunkers and brass fixtures. Soldiers conducted physical fitness in black boots, white-t shirt and olive drab green pants.

"I have a nice PT reflective belt, form fitting t-shirt with black shorts," Leach said "and pink stripes on my sneakers."

Unlike Asher, Leach has an iPod, doesn't know what a transistor radio looks like and keeps in touch with friends and family through the internet.

"What's Skype," Asher asked Leach. "Sounds like a fish, like carp? How do you skarp?"

Leach went on to explain to Asher the process for downloading messaging services and social networking.

"I don't Twitter, back in the day we stood in line with a pocket full of quarters to use the pay phone," Asher said.

Despite their many different initial experiences with the Army, Asher and Leach still share a common bond. They are part of a voluntary Army deployed to Iraq, dedicated to a cause greater than themselves.

"You be proud to wear the uniform and proud of your generation, they make the same sacrifices, being deployed three or four times," Asher said.

"Someday down the road, and I'll be long gone, you're going to have to pull out that picture, and your kids are going to say no way! And you're going to say yeah way, there's mom and what's on my back? An M-16."

• Date Taken: 06.15.2009
• Date Posted: 06.15.2009 09:45
• Story ID: 35069
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ