Volunteerism during war: Civil engineer pours concrete by day, chisels abs by night

Published July 13, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Mike Edwards
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

SATHER AIR BASE, Baghdad -- "Come on now, just 20 more leg lifts and we'll be done," a voice shouts out above the clanking of weights hitting the floor and the rhythmic pace of worn shoes landing on treadmills.
Moans and silent curses echo from the four corners of a room in the back of a tent which serves as the gym. Heavily laden clouds of dust swirl outside in the 120-degree heat.
In unison, with music blaring, 25 people start their last set of a half-an-hour abdominal workout.

"Three, two, one - you're done," the voice says with a wry grin as 50 feet simultaneously hit the mats. Expressions of relief spread across the room and more smiles begin to appear as the endorphin rush starts flowing.

For Staff Sgt. Simeon Sharp, a member of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron and a volunteer who teaches the abdominal exercise class here, such reactions are common.

As an Air National Guardsman from the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron in Utah, Sharp is no stranger to deployments or to volunteering while stationed away from home.

"This is my third deployment and the second time I've volunteered to teach an abs class," said Sharp who joined the Air Force after he graduated high school in 2001. "I really enjoy volunteering because it gives me an opportunity to better myself, stay in shape and teach others the benefits of healthy living and proper exercise."

Sharp began attending a similar workout class during his last deployment and then was asked if he would like to take over as the instructor. According to Sharp, he was hooked from that moment forward.

"Having a strong abdominal core is a really important part of an overall fitness routine," he said. "If I work out by myself, I help just one person stay fit. When I lead a class, I can help that same person and about 25 to 30 more people stay fit. It's all about helping others."

When he isn't spending his off-duty time leading a workout session Sharp finds himself working long hours on base improvement projects.

"We've had some big projects here at Sather," he said. "The latest would be all the concrete we've recently poured: 200 cubic meters. We did that for security of the base and to increase safety by providing sidewalks. The sidewalks may not seem like a big deal, but they really help prevent injuries people can get when walking on gravel."

In addition, he mentioned they help provide security by installing and maintaining gates and locks. They have also done extensive remodeling of the Passenger Services Terminal and the areas near the gym. These are areas used by those stationed at Sather Air Base, as well as the thousands of people from all the services who transit through on a regular basis.
Even with all of the good things he and members of the 447th ECES have been able to do for Sather Air Base, he says being deployed still isn't easy.

"The hardest part of deploying is separation from loved ones. I recently got married and the time apart has been a challenge for both of us," he said. "However, my experiences at Sather have been both challenging and rewarding at the same time. I have met a lot of life-changing people and friends I can count on. I was very fortunate to have the friends I have had here."

Sharp said that despite the hectic pace of operations and the difficulties of being deployed, it is important to stay fit and make time to help others.

"Whether you are volunteering while deployed or back home, my advice is basically the same. Do it for the right reasons," he said. "Do not volunteer because it helps your career or looks good on paper. Do it because you really want to do it. Forget about the recognition. That way, you are really helping people because you actually care. The rewards are much more gratifying."

Editor's note: This story is the first of a three-part series designed to examine why it is that despite being deployed to a war zone, people still give of themselves and their little available free time to volunteer.

The main question is "Why?" Why do people, who volunteer to join the service and endure the rigors of life in a war zone, still continue to go above and beyond what is asked of them in an effort to better the lives of those around them. When our country asks so much of our young men and women, why do they continue to give even more? These people are from different areas of the country with very different backgrounds. Is there a common thread that ties these individuals together? This series is an attempt to answer these questions.

Just three more