Posted on 09/15/2008 4:44:34 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD, Sept. 15, 2008 Many soldiers join the Army as a way of saying thanks, while others feel it is their patriotic duty to serve the country that has offered them a life full of endless opportunities.
But Pfc. Rudolph Foliwe didnt have much time to take advantage of the opportunities for which he came to the United States before he joined the Army and began his career as a cook. Foliwe was born and raised in Cameroon, a small country in west-central Africa, known for its native music and its successful national soccer team. English and French are the official languages of Cameroon, and compared to other African countries, its economy is stable. Foliwe pursued an education in international affairs before attending three years of bible school and becoming a pastor in Cameroon. At the age of 33 he decided to travel to the United States. Africans love to travel, he said in his thick accent with a lively smile on his face, and I wanted to experience a better way of life. People in the United States are blessed. He arrived in Boston on July 7, 2007, and shipped off to basic training Oct. 18, 2007. I have great admiration for the U.S. Army, he said. A friend of mine used to always tell me about the Army and told me that if I ever get to the United States, I should join. Now, less than one year later, Foliwe prepares and serves food to his fellow Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from the 4th Infantry Divisions Company D, 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, at an abandoned potato chip factory in New Baghdad used by the company as its combat outpost. I feel that the best way to begin my life as an immigrant is to fight for the country, Foliwe said. This way, I can truly understand the benefits from the blessings of the country. Its a great foundation to set up my life and a positive image for my future children. Although Foliwe served many years as a pastor in Cameroon, the option to serve as a chaplain in the Army was not available because his education didnt translate into a degree in the United States; a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited school is necessary to become a chaplain. He made the decision to become a cook, choosing to physically feed others in place of feeding them spiritually. Because of his religious beliefs, he said, he wanted to serve a vital role in the military, but in a job more focused on serving others than on combat. Foliwe not only was new to the Army, but also had little experience cooking. The only thing I had ever cooked before was rice and eggs, he said. By the time he arrived to his unit in Baghdad in late June, he had developed the minimum skills taught to Army cooks in advanced individual training. He was fresh out of AIT and had no experience in cooking out in the field. Everything was new to him, said Army Spc. Marcus Reichelderfer, a native of Lima, Ohio, who also serves as a cook with the unit. In a month and a half, hes improved from zero to 100. Hes completely competent to run a shift by himself. Foliwe said he believes his job in the Army is important and that he receives satisfaction knowing that what he does contributes to the overall mission and directly to individual soldiers. There is a strong relationship between food and motivation, he said. When [soldiers] eat well, they are happy and motivated to do their job. Although he hasnt served much time in the Army, Foliwe said, he has faced many obstacles, with the language barrier being the most difficult to overcome. Although he speaks fluent English, his accent is thick and sometimes hard to understand, but he said hes not discouraged. Instead, he strives to learn about the American culture from other soldiers and to teach them about his native culture. People are not stupid because they have different accents or speak different languages, he said. I think that the soldiers here are realizing this and becoming more accepting of people and their different cultures. While were deployed, were all going through this together. All we have is each other, and were all the same. Foliwe said he will apply for U.S. citizenship at the end of September. (Army Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.) |
Related Sites: Multinational Corps Iraq |
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We need more immigrants like this guy. And if only Liberals were this patriotic...
doing what the majority of illegals from south of the border are unwilling to do.
a guy like this, i’m proud that he wants to be a citizen.
most of the rest, here illegally, just want to take.
nice story, thank you.
Seems to me if you come to this country legally and serve in the military, citizenship should be offered along with the Honorable Discharge.
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