GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – How cool would it be to have a podcast created just for you? Well that is the case for U.S. Army Capt. Teddy Borawski, who recently received the coolest gift any music lover could have on their iPod.
Borawski currently serves in Afghanistan as the assistant operations officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd (Airborne) Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, from Vicenza, Italy.
Borawski’s brother and best friend, Mark Louckes, a segment producer at Fuse TV, created a series of podcasts to keep Borawski updated with music during his nine-month deployment to Afghanistan.
In the industry, a simple podcast production can take a significant amount of time. But for Louckes, the effort was worth it.
The podcast starts off with “Good morning, Afghanistan,” and a funny snippet of Louckes and his fiancée talking directly to Borawski.
“Hey man, you know it’s me,” Louckes says with sarcasm during the introduction.
“It’s three hours of recorded work, and I don’t even know how much time it took to edit it, thinking up the stories and put everything together. I’m thinking maybe 10 to 15 hours of work went behind it.” said Borawski. “I feel loved.”
“To know that they took that much time for me, it means a lot,” he said.
Some may think it is ironic for Borawski to receive a podcast with an assortment of music because of the nicknames he’s earned in the unit.
“My battalion commander likes to call me ‘Vanilla Ice,’ because of the streak in my hair,” he said. “I think what they are referring to is the white streak in my hair, which is a birthmark and my mother has it as well – coupled with my handsome good looks,” he said jokingly.
Borawski’s fellow Soldiers would tell you he is the missing member of the “Backstreet Boys.” Surprisingly, there is no music from that particular group in any of the podcasts, but he may be surprised with the next podcast, due sometime in December.
Even though the podcasts were made special for Borawski, he has shared them with Soldiers in the unit, ultimately boosting the morale of those around him with an eclectic collection of music.
“Everyone pretty much likes it. All the music that’s on there may not be some peoples’ kind of music but there is a wide variety,” said Borawski. “I think there’s something for everybody.”
“I think it’s kind of funny,” said Borawski. “I know he made the podcast just for me, and for people to hear Mark’s voice and hear him laughing with Marisa... it’s cool that he could touch those people and make them laugh too.”
In many cultures music is used to bring a community together. Borawski said that is also true within his battalion.
Even so, the podcast has a special, personal place in Borawski’s heart. Serving thousands of miles away from his brother and his home, music offers him an escape. If only for a moment.
“When you are listening to the music and you find that one particular song that moves you, and you get that quiet moment with your self ... you’re not here for a moment,” he said.
Those moments are what has helped Borawski through his first deployment, making him more appreciative for the gift that keeps him connected.
“I want you to know that I love you, you’re my best friend. I know how much you were worried about me deploying. I know that this was an opportunity for you to give me something to listen to, relax and take my mind away from all things going on here temporarily,” said Borawski, holding back tears. “Just, thank you.”
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2012 08:38 |
| Story ID: | 97408 |
| Location: | PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 162 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Love, music and podcasts: A brother’s way to stay connected during deployment, by SSG Gene Arnold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
