By 1st. Lt. Stephen Clements
926th Engineer Brigade
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Many of today's Soldiers are recent immigrants from nations in Africa, and their diverse backgrounds and skills greatly contribute to the strength of our nation.
In perhaps the most patriotic contribution possible, five Soldiers in the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion came directly from African countries to serve their new nation as a U.S. Army Soldier.
Alongside their native born American brethren, they are currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, the 46th Engineer Battalion is attached to the 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Pfc. Lucky Ekupke, earthmoving platoon, 46th ECB, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, is in his third year of service as a heavy equipment operator. A former student at New York's City Technical College, he lived in the South Bronx for ten years before enlisting in the Army.
"I was inspired by my father's time in the Boy Scouts and became interested in the opportunities in military service," state Ekupke. "Since joining I have taken part in crater repair, route sanitation, and barrier emplacement missions while in Iraq."
Pfc. Jacoba Vermeulen, combat medic, 46th ECB, a native of Kimberley, South Africa, is in her second year of Army service and first tour in Iraq where she rolls out as convoy medic in support of missions all over Baghdad.
Her family, now resides in Phoenix, Ariz., illustrates the diversity of the peoples of Africa, being of Afrikaaner, or European lineage.
"My father served as a signal officer in the South African army for 18 years. I wanted to follow in his footsteps so I joined the U.S. Army," stated Pfc. Vermeulen. "I hope to get accepted in the nursing program and become a commissioned officer in the future."
Pfc. Asteroids Lomotey, carpentry/masonry specialist, a native of Accra, Ghana, has served over four years in the 46th ECB. There he attended the Mfantsipim College, the alma mater of Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations.
Lomotey came to the United States at the age of 26, when he was awarded a visa through the State Department's Diversity Visa Program Lottery. Since joining the military he has contributed to the construction of special-use buildings, Soldier's quarters and a desert outpost.
"I've always had aspirations for military service since I was a cadet in high school, and so joined the U.S. Army less than a year after coming to the States," stated Lomotey. "This is my second tour in Iraq."
Sgt. Kalaluka Nyumbu, combat medic, 46th ECB, a native of Lusaka, Zambia, now residing in South Bend, Ind., has served in the Army for more than three years. Nyumbu is Airborne-qualified, was declared Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year for the 46th ECB. He serves as the medic for a special task force in Baghdad, and has been awarded the Expert Medical Field Badge.
Nyumbu a Copper Belt University alumni, also won the State Department's Diversity Visa Lottery, and moved to the United States.
"I joined the U.S. Army soon after arriving stateside, both for the opportunity to integrate into American society and to become a part of the greatest Army in the world," stated Nyumbu.
Sgt. Edgar Gufwoli, nuclear/biological/chemical non-commissioned officer, was born in Boston, Mass., and raised in Kisumu, Kenya, near Lake Victoria. Gufwoli lived in Kenya until he turned 17. Gufwoli returned to the United States to attend the University of California-Davis, where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry.
"I worked for years in pharmaceutical research, but wanted to join the Army after seeing the sacrifices the Soldiers were making to fight terrorism in the aftermath of 9/11," declared Gufwoli.
Gufwoli has been contributing to the fight against terrorism for the last 2.5 years, most recently as a member of a convoy security team for the 46th ECB.
Each of these Soldiers enjoys the teamwork of Army service and feel like both they and their new country benefits from their commitment to serving the cause of freedom.