Volunteerism during war: A Salute to Remember

Published July 26, 2010
By Senior Airman Raquel Baldwin
447th Air Expeditionary Group

SATHER AIR BASE, Baghdad -- (Editor's note: This story is part two in a three-part series designed to examine what it is that motivates military members to volunteer what little free time they have while deployed.)

Crisp salutes, attention to detail, and flawless military movements - these are attributes many may use to describe a member of the Honor Guard.

For one New Jersey Air National Guardsman from the 108th Air Refueling Wing, these attributes are not only the result from years of disciplined practice, but also from that area of the soul where drive, dedication and commitment reside.

"My nickname back home is 'Trip Hog' because I never missed a detail," said Senior Master Sgt. Paul Kasica, who deployed to Sather Air Base, Baghdad, as a member of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron. "It wasn't because I wanted to go every time, but to provide support when no one else was available."

Stationed previously at Sather AB from 2003 to 2004, Sergeant Kasica said his job hasn't change all that much; the mission is still here. During his last visit, he remembers constructing the base and building the facilities. Now on his second trip he sees how the base is dealing with drawdown.

Sergeant Kasica, a volunteer Honor Guard member for the past 19 years, spends most of his day working as an engineering assistant and the other part instructing Honor Guard classes for Sather AB. He said he became a member of the Honor Guard because he always carried that feeling inside - that feeling of pride watching others honor our fallen soldiers, the joy of marching side by side as a team, looking sharp and showing respect to the families and friends who lost their loved ones while serving in the military.

Volunteering is very important for Sergeant Kasica, especially while in a deployed area despite working 12-hour shifts, six days a week. For him, it's a release.

"It takes me into another world, clears my mind from my everyday job and gives me that chance to teach trainees how to honor our fallen comrades," he said. "I want us to look good; I want people to look at us and KNOW we look good. That really brings joy to me",

"Trying to give back" led to him taking charge and teaching more than 60 airmen about volunteering.

"I always look for the good in Airmen, a reason why they want to be in Honor Guard, a moment where they WANT to give back," he said as he looks down and subconsciously grasps at the black rope encircling his shoulder, a device used to signify a member of the Base Honor Guard. "I look for volunteers who aren't doing this because of a bullet for their EPR or because they want the prestige of wearing a black rope, or because they want an award. I look for someone who is doing this because it's in here (pointing to his heart, he keeps his hands across his chest and takes a moment to reflect)."

After pausing for a few moments to gather his thoughts, he finishes them out loud, "When I started as the NCOIC of the Honor Guard I would always tell people, 'If it's not in here, if it's not in their heart, then don't even bother doing it.' Those people that don't feel what I feel and honor what I honor are NOT the people that I depend on," he said with a determined look that comes with nearly 60 years of life experience. "That's the biggest thing I look for when I recruit an Airman. If they don't feel that way at the beginning, then I am hoping they feel that way after one of the details."

"Senior (Master Sgt.) Kasica was always there, spending countless hours serving in the Base Honor Guard. The man is an Honor Guard machine! I saw him everywhere, always leading from the front and always willing to teach and instruct. He definitely had a command presence amongst the honor guard members," said Capt. Rudy Talamantez, director of operations for the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and Honor Guard member himself. "I have been working with Senior (Master Sgt.) since mid-March, we always agreed on the same vision. Good attitude is very important when volunteering, especially for the Honor Guard - wanting to be there for the right reasons, willing to do what it takes to get the mission done."

Even for a seasoned leader and veteran Honor Guard member, details can be difficult from time to time. One of these moments for Sergeant Kasica was Operation Proper Exit, a program designed to help wounded warriors return to Iraq and help with them with the mental and emotional healing process.

"Operation Proper Exit was my most memorable moment here at Sather. I don't think I will ever forget it," he said. "The wounded soldiers that came through here were pretty messed up, and they were thanking us! We should be thanking them. I mean some of them were missing legs, arms, hands or their faces were burned so badly; and they were thanking us. Can you believe that?" Senior Kasica asked, as his eyes watered and he fought to hold back a flood of emotion.

As Sergeant Kasica crossed his arms and shook his head, he continued expressing his feelings about honoring the soldiers wounded from war. "If I could tell them anything, if I could just relive that moment, I would express to them that they are a better man than me. I don't know how I would be able to deal with what they have to deal with. Thank you. Thank you for doing what you had to do; thank you for doing your job with such honor. We are all in the same boat, sometimes you come out of it okay, and sometimes you're not so lucky."
For those thinking about volunteering, Sergeant Kasica offers some advice.

"The best thing I can say is give it a try. Come out, volunteer and see how meaningful it is. Giving the little time that you have to someone else or something else will leave a huge impact. One person can make a change, one person can make a difference," he said. "Look at us, look at the Honor Guard members and let us lead you to success. If you don't volunteer, then you are missing out. You can stand there during Patriot details and simply watch, or you can join in and be a part of it."

Retiring November 23, 2010, a day before his 60th birthday, Sergeant Kasica is excited about going home to finish his last couple of months in the Air Force. "The Air Force is never my past, it is always in my future, and it will continue to sit where I hold my dearest memories - in my heart," he said with a smile.