Courtesy Photo | Camp Navistar, Kuwait (Dec. 20, 2006)---Brothers Sgt. Wayne Kapotak and Sgt. Pete...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Sarah Scully
40th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP NAVISTAR, Kuwait— Near the Iraqi border, two Eskimo brothers stand guard in a tower at Camp Navistar in the Kuwaiti desert.
It's the holiday season, but they're far from home.
Unlike many troops who do not have family close by, the infantry brothers will spend their Christmas together while serving in the Alaska National Guard supporting Third Army/U.S. Army Central.
"For me, the holidays have always been the toughest," said Sgt. Pete Kapotak, the 37-year-old brother of 36-year-old Sgt. Wayne Kapotak, both in the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment.
"I'm glad to have family here – we check up on each other."
The brothers are only a year apart in age, and as the middle of nine children, they spent a lot of time together growing up in the rugged Alaska outdoors near their hometown of Dillingham, Alaska.
"Being so close in age gives them a closeness of life experiences you would share with your best friend," said Shireen Kapotak, Pete's wife. "Pete and Wayne will be able to relate their experiences overseas with each other much like when they were growing up."
Their childhood camaraderie easily translated into Army brotherhood when Wayne convinced Pete to join the Army and continue their adventures.
"We're real close brothers," said Wayne. "He wanted to experience it, too."
They're both getting to experience the cold weather and small-village atmosphere of Camp Navistar.
Instead of looking out at a river and soaring mountains, all they can see are brown tents and sand.
They said it's hard to be away from their families, but the Army missions, family and belief in God keep them going.
"I wouldn't be making it if it wasn't for my brother," said Wayne. "He's one of the reasons I work so hard every day and push forward – he keeps me going."
Chilly in the desert night air, the brothers keep a watch out for suspicious activity. In the morning, they eat breakfast together and check e-mails from home before going to bed in separate tents.
Small palm trees grace the doorway of a tent – far different from the huge trees in the Alaska wilderness.
Back home, their wives and children wait for them to return.
"I want him to be here," said Alyssa Kapotak, Pete's 6-year-old daughter.
"She prays for me, and I pray for her," said Pete.
Alyssa and the Kapotak family ask God to keep the brothers safe and alive, said Shireen.
"[I am] sad that I don't get to see him until next year," said Donovan Kapotak, Pete's 8-year-old son. "I imagine him running around and going over walls with ropes."
Right now, neither of the brothers has much running around to do while monitoring traffic control points.
But in a few months, they will start going out on quick reaction force teams into Iraq – and they will rely on their family's prayers to help keep them safe.
"I just tell myself I don't have time to be scared," said Wayne. "I just have to be focused and alert and get through whatever danger I find myself in."
The brothers Kapotak can still relax and bring a sense of humor to their unit – they're known for imitating Donald Duck's voice – but when it comes to their work, they have a serious, strict attitude.
"We know we're here in Kuwait, and we've got a job to do," said Pete. "It's pretty awesome to be here right next to the border."
While they're serving America close to Iraq, they still get reminders of home by receiving care packages filled with dried salmon strips and moose meat.
Just in time for Christmas, Pete will receive a calendar made from pictures of his kids and scenery from his hometown that he can share with his brother.
"It's a good feeling that he's here because it's tough being away from home," said Pete. "We try to give each other good spirits."
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2006 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 8630 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 508 |
| Downloads: | 140 |
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