Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mike Paluczak and his twin brother, U.S. Army Capt. John Paluczak,...... read more read more
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By U.S. Army Capt. Marie Orlando
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – “Congratulations on your promotion, sir,” the soldier said as he approached on open truck window and greeted a face he recognized. The captain had been hearing a lot of that since his arrival to Bagram Air Field about 48 hours ago.
He scheduled a trip from Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, where he was assigned with the Missouri National Guard Agri-Business Development Team in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, to see his twin brother.
“Thanks,” said U.S. Army Capt. John Paluczak, agriculture officer in charge, Missouri National Guard Agri-Business Development Team IV, taking the remark in stride. The soldier continued to talk about his unit’s upcoming redeployment back to the United States.
“Well, that would be good, if I was going home,” said Paluczak, in response to a comment about the anticipated return. The soldier stumbled but kept on going. He seemed a bit confused as he tried to work out a reason that one of them wouldn’t be leaving the country. At this point, Paluczak gives the guy a bit of slack, and tells him, “I think you are talking about my twin brother, 1st Lt. Paluczak,” and he chuckles.
“I would have kept going, but we had someplace to be,” he said to the driver, U.S. Army Capt. Charlie Ledgerwood, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, 203rd Engineer Battalion, and to the passenger in the truck with him who were both playing along with the charade.
He said, “We aren’t identical, but you won’t be able to tell the difference.”
His brother, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Michael Paluczak, Missouri National Guard 203rd Engineer Battalion headquartered in Joplin, was expected to travel through Bagram Air Field from FOB Sharana with the Missouri National Guard 203rd Engineer Battalion as part of his redeployment home.
However, 1st Lt. Paluczak was still at FOB Sharana when Capt. Paluczak arrived at Bagram Air Field. While Capt. Paluczak waited, everyone he met that knew his brother assumed it was Michael. He and Ledgerwood had fun with the mistaken identity that inevitably occurred.
“It was a lot of fun playing with people. I was waiting at the [Administrative and Logistical Operations Center], and I’ve known Capt. Ledgerwood forever. So, we just played along with it. I don’t know how many times I was congratulated on my promotion.”
When 1st Lt. Paluczak finally arrived, it was nearly time for John to leave; he was scheduled to fly out the same morning. So the twins stayed up until 3:30 a.m. talking about their experiences and catching up, knowing that it would be another six months before they would see each other again.
As it turned out, Capt. Paluczak’s flight was cancelled, and he had to wait a couple days before he could return to Finley-Shields on a space available flight.
1st Lt. Paluczak said, “The last time I saw him was in March when I was home on leave, and if I didn’t see him now, it would be February before he comes home on leave. We just hung out. We went to eat and went to the shops. We swapped stories about what we were doing; we, the battalion, had a route clearance mission in his area.”
John and Michael both enlisted into the Missouri National Guard Feb. 8, 2001, under the Buddy Program with the 128th Field Artillery in Kirksville, Mo. They attended different Missouri colleges; John went to Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., and Michael attended Truman State in Kirksville, but both joined Reserve Officer Training Corps and were commissioned with the Missouri National Guard.
Capt. Paluczak said it was good to see his brother. “It was very nice of my command staff to let that happen. He didn’t get in until 12 a.m., and we stayed up until 3:30 in the morning talking. I lucked out and my flight was cancelled. It was also good to see others from the 203rd Engineer Battalion that I knew.”
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Paluczak was ready to get home and said, “It was awesome seeing John. I’m looking forward to going home and seeing my family.”
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2010 15:48 |
| Story ID: | 56590 |
| Location: | NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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