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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...


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