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Coming home is 'kind of a culture shock' for soldier

Sep-29-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Another good R&R story.

[Link to Full Article] (Photo included)
By YONIKA WILLIS, Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- As a child playing with G.I. Joes, 20-year-old Spc. Seth Oppelt knew he wanted to some day be a "real American hero" himself.

It was in November 2003, just months after he graduated from Mishawaka High School, that his fantasy became reality when he was deployed to Iraq.

After more than a year of training to earn his combat certification for the Army's newest war vehicle -- the Stryker -- Oppelt became part of the 1st Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

A Stryker is a multipurpose military vehicle that, among other uses, can designate targets for laser-guided missions.

Being over there "was way different than anything I had expected," Oppelt said. "I always wanted to see how I'd hold up. It was cool."

Oppelt recently came home for a two-week rest and recuperation leave.

On Saturday, he will return to the Mideast for three more weeks.

When he first left, "I would cry at the mere mention of his name," said Cheryl Soos, Oppelt's mother. "I looked forward to him coming home so much. It's going to be hard to say goodbye."

Oppelt's exposure to Third World poverty and combat for 10 1/2 months has made his return to Mishawaka a bit of an adjustment.

"It's kind of a culture shock being back here," he said, recalling the many times he's seen Iraqi children begging for water on 130-degree days outside of the cities.

"Just throwing (the children) a warm bottle of water is like a brick of gold to them," he said.

There's more...


Comments For "Coming home is 'kind of a culture shock' for soldier":

God Bless this hero, let us know if he or his unit need any supplies,
Patti

Posted by: Patti Patton-Bader | September 29, 2004 11:09 AM

Seth, I appreiate what you are doing for our freedom. It makes me real proud when I hear a young man tell his story with so much conviction. The last sentence in the full article where you say you will never forget your pals from over there and will stay in contact comes as a breath of fresh air. I spent 22yrs 3 months and 23 days in the US Navy and made a lot of friends. From 1960-1994; active and reserves. In the past year I made an exerted effort to find the very close friend I made. It all comes back and do make the effort to keep in contact with your buddies.

Posted by: Tom Miller | September 29, 2004 12:46 PM

THE LOVE WE SHOW
AND GIVE TO OUR
CHILDREN,DETERMINES
THERE ACTION'S IN
LIFE..THEY ARE
LIKE A SPONGE,THE MORE
LOVE AND CARE YOU GIVE,
THEY WILL GIVE IN RETURN.
WITH KINDNESS, FRIENDSHIP,
AND GIVING..
THEY SEE THE WRONGE AND
KNOW IT FOR WHAT IT IS.
THEY ARE THE FUTURE..
AND I'M SO PROUD OF THEM!!!
AND THE PARENT'S OF THESE
STRYKER'S..
I'M A STRYKER MOM TOO!

Posted by: dorothy | September 30, 2004 4:27 AM

To Seth or any other returning Soldier in the Mishawaka area:

Still feeling the culture shock being back in the U.S.? Do you want a space to talk to other Iraq vets about what's on your mind?
Please contact me at brennacussen@yahoo.com if you are interested in becoming a part of a small group of Iraq vets that gets together once a month to talk about whatever topics may come up.

Posted by: Brenna Cussen | November 8, 2004 1:46 PM

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