Photo By Sgt. Daniel Cole | Payson, Utah, native Spc. Jacob Zeeman, an infantryman who also manages the weapons...... read more read more
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VAZIANI, Georgia – Almost everyone knows the classic love story of space pirate Han Solo and the princess from Alderaan, Leia Organa, in the classic movie series, Star Wars, but one military couple’s special way to stay connected nearly 6,000 miles apart may be stronger than the Force itself.
Payson, Utah, native Spc. Jacob Zeeman, an infantryman who also manages the weapons room for his company, “Alpha” Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, packed his military-green duffle bags, kissed his wife, Jilian, goodbye, and deployed from Fort Stewart, Georgia., approximately 6,000 miles where he is currently training at Exercise Noble Partner 15 in the country of Georgia.
His brigade is currently part of the European Rotational Force, which consists of two 60-day rotations per year of a battalion-sized ground maneuver force, alongside brigade command and control and required enablers, from the continental U.S. to the U.S. European Command area of operations.
The ERF will serve to train U.S. units and Soldiers in expeditionary/multinational operations while also reinforcing the U.S. commitment to the NATO Response Force.
He did not go alone though.
His camouflage pocket held a gift from his wife, a small plush figure of the smuggler from Corellia, Han Solo, who accompanies Zeeman almost everywhere he goes while training, even while he is at the range eliminating targets with a M240B machine gun.
“She had intended to put them in our cars but we found out the deployment was happening and she gave this [the plush Han Solo figure] and told me to hold onto it. I keep it in my pocket or in my kit [combat vest] whenever I am out.”
He explained that the figure helps him keep that special link with his wife. Whenever he feels it in his pocket or has Han hanging from his vest he has a connection back home, which makes being away a little easier.
That is only half of the story.
Jilian, who is currently working on her master’s degree in kinesiology, holds another small plush figure, but of Princess Leia, who also accompanies her while she is taking care of their home in Fort Stewart.
“We both really like Star Wars and I saw the figures and thought they would be cute, she said. “I thought it'd be a nice way to kind of have the other with us during the day, especially when there are times when we can't talk.”
In a quick turn of events, Zeeman almost lost Solo during the first few days here, but luckily not to frozen carbonite. He had accidentally forgotten to check his cargo pockets before washing his uniform, soon realizing the danger he would be in if his wife found out what happened. Luckily, Han was fine.
“I was dreading telling her, it was like losing my wedding ring.”
Other then that particular scare, the infantryman says he is excited about training alongside the Georgian soldiers, adding that although communication can be a barrier, he and his fellow Soldiers are learning a bit a Georgian and also teaching a bit of English to their Georgian counterparts.
Julian also looks at the deployment as an opportunity for their relationship to grow.
“For him being in Georgia, of course I don't like it, but I try to think that it could always be worse. It's helped us grow a bit. It's the first time we've really spent more than a month apart. Of course I always miss him, but the Star Wars figures just kind of give me that reminder that it will be done soon, and to just keep pushing forward.”
Influenced by his brother’s military service, Zeeman joined the Army November 2011 and went to basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing the infantryman course he was assigned to his current unit at Ft. Stewart, where he is still stationed.
Although the two heroes have been separated by what probably feels like an entire galaxy, the adventure continues as they prepare to awaken the next episode, which is just around the corner.
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About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51-country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships built during the more that 1,000 theater security cooperation events, held in more than 40 countries each year, lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2015 01:27 |
| Story ID: | 163607 |
| Location: | VAZIANI, GE |
| Hometown: | PAYSON, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 361 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A long time ago in a country far, far away…., by SGT Daniel Cole, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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