Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Maj. Therese Obidinski, a New Smyrna Beach, Fla., native, who serves as the engagement...... read more read more
By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Most people don't particularly like the suggestion that they are merely products of their environment. But whether the implication appeals to you or not, it is perhaps apropos in that it describes the situation for many people fairly accurately.
Maj. Therese Obidinski, who serves as the engagement operations and plans officer with the engagements cell for the 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, may have grown up in a much different environment if it wasn't for her parents: Eugene and Mary Obidinski.
When the couple married, they found themselves longing for a child of their own. Unable to conceive, Eugene and Mary decidedly felt a strong need to provide for a child in need.
In 1975, Eugene and Mary made a special trip to Bethlehem. It was in an orphanage that they found their daughter, Therese.
Abandoned during the Israel-Palestinian Conflict, the young Obidinski was among the thousands of children in Bethlehem who had been abandoned or had lost both parents.
Growing up in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Obidinski had no way of knowing who her biological parents are but said she is content. She described her childhood as happy and considers her adoptive parents her real family.
"My parents are the one who raised me and took care of me. I think a real father and mother are those who take care of you and love you no matter what: and that's who they are," said Obidinski. "My dad used to take me fishing and always let me help out anytime he was fixing or building something. My parents are very patriotic, and we celebrated all the patriotic holidays."
At the age of five, Obidinski became a citizen of the United States and said she attributes her own patriotism to her father, who was a member of the American Legion. Eugene had served with 4th Inf. Div. as a private first class in the Army at the end of the Korean War. Her uncle also served with 4th Inf. Div. – during the historic invasion of Normandy in World War II.
"My dad would always tell me stories when I was a child, and I used to think: 'Maybe one day, I'd like to serve too'."
Throughout her school years, Obidinski was heavily involved in academics and ran cross-country track. Toward the end of high school, she decided that she wanted to attend a service academy, preferably the United States Naval Academy, but submitted packets to multiple service academies.
Before graduation, she paid a visit to the academies and had a change of heart.
"I had always wanted to go to the Naval Academy, but I changed my mind when I visited West Point [Military Academy]. I thought it was the best of the schools. It is the oldest of the service academies, and with all the traditions and history and great leaders that have come out of West Point, I couldn't even consider the other schools.
"One day, I got this thing in the mail from the Military Academy saying: 'Congratulations, you have been accepted to the United States Military Academy, class of 1998.' I was so excited, and my parents were so proud."
Obidinski studied engineering and Spanish during her four years at West Point Military Academy and graduated with a Bachelors of Science. She highlights the day of her commissioning as one of her most memorable – when her father and uncle pinned the second lieutenant bars on her Army service uniform.
As an officer in the Army, she has been stationed in multiple locations, teaching fellow Soldiers and developing new projects, such as the Information Operations Tactical Training Course.
Shortly after Obidinski was assigned to the 4th Inf. Div. as the engagements operations and plans officer, she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I thought it was cool because my father and uncle both served with 4th Inf. Div. Plus, I get to be part of something bigger than myself and serve in Iraq," said Obidinski.
Her primary responsibility in the engagement cell is to prepare general officers for engagements with Iraqi leaders. She gathers and packages information for her senior leaders in order to assist them in resolving any issues that may arise – a vital role in daily operations.
Her fellow Soldiers who work alongside her in the engagement cell describe her as positive, cheerful, boisterous and full of energy.
"The key leader engagements cell is a rather new organization and is a very dynamic and diverse cell," said Lt. Col. Anthony Scotto, a Pensacola Fla., native, and prior chief of engagements for MND-B.
"She fits in very well and has learned a lot as well as helped with the structure and formation. She's brought a fresh perspective into the cell."
Obidinski said she enjoys working in her position and believes that her work, along with her fellow Soldiers, has a vital impact on the overall situation in Iraq.
"We are synchronizing and massing the effects on the battlefield to make lives better," said Obidinski. "It's great to go home and say we defeated the enemy, but it's even better to go home and say we helped promote 'x' amount of school openings and people returning to work. We are promoting nation building – what more experience could you want then the hands-on experience here?"
After serving almost 11 years in the Army, and now a proud mother herself, Obidinski said she plans on continuing her career in the Army and said none of her success would've been possible without her parents, who are currently taking care of her daughter at home.
"As long as I can continue to find a good balance between my family and the Army, I don't see any reason to leave. I don't mind staying in and see where it takes me," she said. "I have been so lucky because my parents have supported my and helped me though it all.
"I'm a product of my environment," she added, with a heartfelt chuckle.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2008 20:42 |
| Story ID: | 27613 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 304 |
| Downloads: | 138 |
This work, Ironhorse Soldier honors family lineage throughout 4th Infantry Division history, by SSG Lyndsey Prax, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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