Meeting History

Annie with some Cuban Residents at the Cuban Community Center

My children will tell you that I have drug them through more museums over the years than they care to remember.  They flatly refuse to go the Charles Russell museum with me anymore, but I could spend hours more there.  I love history.  I have often thought I missed my calling and should have been an archeologist or an anthropologist.  When I retire, I would love to go to Israel and work on a Biblical archeological dig. (That’s number 2 on the bucket list after seeing the pyramids).

Living on a base as historic as Guantanamo is fascinating to a history nerd like me.  When my kids were here at Christmas, I drug them through (you guessed it) the Lighthouse Museum.  I also had them go on the NW Gate tour . So when an opportunity came my way to interact with some local, history-bearers first hand.  I jumped at the chance.

Prior to the Cuban revolution in 1958-59, thousands of Cubans commuted to the base daily to work.  They held a variety of service related jobs on base.  They worked as bartenders in the clubs, horseshoers in the stables, laundresses at the hospital, and many, many other occupations.  As relations between Cuba and the United States deteriorated, the numbers of commuters diminished.  Castro made life difficult for the commuters, but he allowed anyone who had been working for the base to continue.

Many of these commuters were being approached by Castro’s men to become spies for Castro.  They were also approached by individuals/acquaintances and questioned to determine their loyalty to Castro.  If the person didn’t agree to spy, or didn’t answer the loyalty questions correctly, they could be seen as a subversive and targeted for arrest or elimination.  Little by little many Cuban commuters found themselves in situations in which they felt their lives were in danger.  At this point, they approached their supervisor on base and sought political asylum.  Several hundred Cuban’s have made their home on the base at one time or another.  Some immigrated to the United States or other countries.  Many remained on base working until retirement.  Today, there are about 33 Cuban resident remaining on base.  The last two commuters retired in 2012.

Recently the Cuban Community Center approached the school with the offer to partner with the school on educational projects.  At semester, I inherited the ninth-grade Honor’s English class.  So I jumped on this opportunity.  We met several times with the Cuban residents and my students are finishing writing biographies of these residents. This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to interview first-hand participants and observers of some of the most important historical events in the last half of the twentieth century.

These residents remember Cuba before Castro. They lived through the revolution. They were here during the Bay of Pigs envision; they were here during the Cuban Missile Crisis; they were here during the Haitian Boat Crisis; they were here for the Cuban exodus; they were here for the arrival of the first detainees after 9/11 and they continue to witness changes at the base first hand.

They told my students many interesting stories. One couple knew Castro’s predecessor, Batista. Another worked with Castro’s younger sister and played baseball with his older brother. One resident described being approached to spy for Castro because he could speak both English and Spanish. They told about leaving children in Cuba; in some cases never to see those children again. They told about not being able to tell anyone when they were planning to seek asylum because they didn’t know who to trust. They talked about how anyone who was a threat to the Castro regime was eliminated.

None of the residents regretted their decision to seek asylum. None have any desire to return to Cuba as long as the Castro brothers were in control. They remember a free Cuba. And even though Batista’s regime was not without corruption, they felt free and safe then.

I am so glad my students and especially Annie had the opportunity. The Cuban exiles were so great to the students and seemed to enjoy the opportunity to share their stories.

A World of Possibilities or When Should a Hermit Crab find a New Home

Hermit Crabs hanging out on a rock in GTMO. They still fit their current homes.

As you have read my blog, you are surely aware that I am enjoying my experience at Guantanamo Bay.  However, not everyone feels this way.  In fact, you will hear people talking about “getting off this rock”.  For some people the small town atmosphere is too small.  For some it is the lack of shopping or entertainment and dining venues that drives their desire to leave.  Some people just plain get island fever.  While there are a few people who have lived here for twenty years or more, most are here for less than five years.

Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDs teachers) are part of a world-wide network of schools administered by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA).  Teachers can transfer to other locations world-wide.  There are rules regarding when and how you can transfer which are a little more complicated than I want to go into here, but because of some of those rules it is difficult for Cuba teachers to transfer.  Cuba teachers must rely on the official “transfer rounds” to try to move off island.  Last year the transfer round was cancelled largely due to sequestration; this year it was cancelled partly because of sequestration and partly because of the excess of teachers that needed to be placed following the closure of some bases in Europe. Cuba teachers were very disappointed to learn that there would be a second year without a transfer round; however, everyone had resigned themselves to the idea that they would be spending another year on “this rock”.

Suddenly, on Tuesday of last week, we got news from headquarters that they were taking pity on the Cuba teachers and offering a special transfer round for Cuba teachers.  There were some stipulations.  Teachers had to be permanent employees of DoDDs or finishing their probationary period this year.  This meant I was not eligible because I am just finishing my first year of a two-year probation.  I wasn’t really thinking of moving on yet anyway.  I am still learning how things are done in DoDDs.

So this week has been very exciting as I watch my colleagues peruse the openings as they decide their next professional move.  There is a lot of networking in DoDDs and so everyone is busy asking colleagues near and far for information and advice. This is what I am hearing from my colleagues….

Okinawa is one of the hot spots on many people’s list.  It is part of Japan, but not on the main land.  It is favored because it is also considered a one year appointment and qualifies for yearly return air fair.  The beaches are supposed to be amazing!  It is a great location for divers.  There are about 14 schools and several bases in this location.  The food is wonderful and they people are great.

Another friend is applying to Bahrain.  People rave about Bahrain.  Many of the wealthy Bahrain citizens pay to send their children to the DoDDs school, so you have exposure to the local culture right in school.  Evidently it is not unusual to be teaching princes.

A couple of my friends are looking at Shape in Belgium.  This is a small school which serves not only military children, but also embassy children.

Another friend is looking at an opportunity in Bavaria, another is hoping to go to Vicenza, Italy.  Another who has already spent many years in Asia and Europe is looking at an opportunity in Korea.

I am excited for these colleagues and I have made them promise to have a spare bedroom for me… but in a few years, who knows, I may meet up with them again in a distant location. In the meantime I am content exploring the “rock”.  There are so many things to marvel at, to learn about. So just like the hermit crab, when I have out grown this shell, I will find a new one, but for now this one fits just fine, and I am content to stay on the rock.

The Ugly-Beautiful of GTMO

 

The heart of “downtown” GTMO. This is where we shop!

 

What is this place called GTMO? When I applied to the Department of Defense Education Activity website, I had the option of selecting the countries/locations to which I would be willing to go. I deselected Cuba and then decided on second thought to go ahead and leave it as an option. I thought the chances of getting selected for GTMO were slim and I didn’t want to seem like I was picky.

I, like most people I have talked with since starting this adventure, had a preconceived idea of what Guantanamo Bay Naval Station was all about. My preconceived ideas were based on the media coverage of the detention camps. I was also confused, as many people are, as to how we could possibly even have this base located in a communist country whose leadership has clearly and consistently denounced the United States and all we stand for. I was also genuinely confused by the fact that President Obama was intent on closing down Guantanamo Bay. If this was true, how long would I have a job?

What I have discovered is GTMO is in the midst of an identity crisis. GTMO is more than the sum of its parts. GTMO is a Naval Station, a community, a tropical island paradise, and an isolated outpost in the Caribbean. It also happens to be located in a country with a hostile government, and it happens to have a notorious detention facility. It might even be what Ann Voscamp, author of 1000 Gifts, calls an Ugly Beautiful. In fact that is probably the most succinct and apt description I can imagine. Allow me to explain.

The relationship between Cuba and the US is complicated. The origin of our presence here goes back to the Spanish-American War. We helped to liberate Cuba, so that American corporations could move in. We supported corrupt governments until Castro created a revolution dedicated in part to ridding the American presence from Cuba. Unfortunately his revolution destroyed a free Cuba. A fence went up, armed guards on each side patrol the border to this day. Land mines were laid on both sides. The mines on the American side have mostly been removed; more than 50,000 land mines are believed to still exist on the Cuban side. This is part of the ugly.

Guantanamo Bay Naval Station has also been used as a place to locate misplaced people. Cubans who are expatriated came here in droves after the revolution and continue to come if they can make a case for being a political refugee. (Hard to do these days.) More than 50,000 Haitians escaping Baby Doc came here looking for political asylum in the 1980s – most were returned to the hell they were trying to escape.  Finally terrorist combatants were brought to GTMO by the hundreds. Military specialists determined who represented a significant threat to US security or who might be directly tied to a terrorist act. It is estimated that only about 100 detainees remain. The detainees from the war on terror have been incarcerated without a trial for more than 12 years. This is definitely an ugly aspect of GTMO, and the aspect of the base with which the world is most familiar. The troops that work at the detention facility are spit at, cursed at, have feces, urine and semen thrown on them on a daily basis as they patrol the camp. This is as ugly as it gets.

But GTMO is also a Naval Base charged with the security of this region of the world. It is sometimes a refueling stop for ships cruising this part of the world’s waterways. The Coast Guard patrols the waters and constantly rescues people who are traveling in unsafe vessels. The base is strategically located to fight the war on drugs. The base is a legitimate and important part of the United States defense system.  President Obama has a been vocal about closing the detention facility, but no one is talking about closing the base. The overall mission of the base is neither ugly nor beautiful; it’s functional.

Approximately 7500 people make their home on GTMO. This includes the sailors, soldiers, and airmen who work to sustain the primary mission of the base. It also includes about 220 marines charged with guarding the perimeter of the base. Finally, it includes several hundred Army and National Guard troops who maintain the detention camps.  It also includes members of every three letter agency you can think of : FBI, CIA, DEA, ATF, NSA…. It includes various Department of Defense civilian employees like the Dodds’ teachers. Finally military contractors make up the balance of the base residents. These contractors provide a variety of support services including the maintenance and custodial services of the base. Many of the people assigned to work at Guantanamo Bay have brought their families with them; children from babies to young adults are here. So GTMO is also a community located in a tropical location. And this is truly the beautiful part of GTMO.

Many people compare living at GTMO to living in Mayberry RFD. You know the town where Andy Griffith’s alter ego, Andy Taylor was sheriff. GTMO is a small town where for better or worse everyone knows your name and your business. Our Andy Taylor is Captain J.R. Nettleton. Capt. Nettleton is a very personable commander; he even has a red-headed child.  We can even call the base operator (akin to the Sarah of Mayberry) and get any number needed.

It is a safe community. People leave their houses open and their keys in their cars. Kids run through the streets and take the base buses anywhere they need to go. Life is calm and relatively stress free.  There is time to create, to meditate, to contemplate.  There is a spirit of renewal here.

And, oh yes, the Caribbean Sea could not be more blue or more beautiful. I have always been a mountain girl. I used to think someone was either a mountain person or an ocean person. I now know I can love both. Both speak to me of God’s grace. So yes, GTMO is ugly-beautiful.  What I am discovering is life is ugly-beautiful.

Almost every day ends with a breathtaking sunset. God Bless this Ugly-Beautiful GTMO.

 

Hurricanes and Med-evacs

Don’t panic, neither of these things have occurred or are imminent.  These were two of the topics of our most recent faculty meeting.  This is one of those times that I realize just like Dorothy and Toto,  “I am not in Montana anymore.”

June 1st to November 30 is Hurricane season.  And a Naval base is all about safety and security.  So we are starting now with hurricane drills.  The following is the Conditions of Readiness (COR) the base goes through if a Hurricane is anticipated.  

Condition of Readiness or CORs, are a progressive process to prepare for the destructive forces of destructive wind. By definition, destructive winds of greater than 50 knots.

Readiness Condition V Set throughout Hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30).
Readiness Condition IV Set when hurricane force winds are possible within three days.

Readiness Condition III Set when a hurricane could strike within two days. Start securing your home and double- checking your disaster supply kit and compiling important paperwork.

Readiness Condition II Set when a hurricane could strike GTMO within 24 hours. All emergency personnel report for duty and all base leave and liberty is cancelled. All residents should stay tuned to the Naval Station’s three radio frequencies for further instructions. Outdoor furniture, trash cans and other moveable objects should be moved inside or securely tied.

Readiness Condition I Set when the hurricane will strike the base within 12 hours. The base siren will sound a three-minute series of wails to indicate “take cover.” At this time, the ferry will be secured and all privately owned vehicle traffic will be secured. Also, all non-essential personnel should proceed to hurricane shelters or hurricane- resistant housing. After the hurricane has cleared the area, firefighting, public works rescue and security teams will deploy to assess damage. All non-essential personnel should remain in their shelters until a verbal “all clear” is passed.

All Clear When the “all clear” is passed, all military and civilian employees should leave their shelters and report to work centers for muster and further instructions. All residents will be allowed to return to their quarters.

Hurricane are categorized from 1-5 based on wind speeds as follows:

Category 1 = 64-82 knots / 75-95 mph
Category 2 = 83-95 knots / 96-110 mph
Category 3 = 96-113 knots / 111-130 mph
Category 4 = 114-135 knots / 131-155 mph
Category 5 = > 135 knots / >155 mph

Two years ago Hurricane Sandy hit the base before it headed up the Eastern seaboard.  It did substantial damage.  It destroyed buildings and threw the MWR recreation boats all over the bay.  Even parts of the shoreline were destroyed.  Evidently Conditions of Readiness went from V to I in ten hours.  My housing is Hurricane – resistant as are the schools, so we are good to go.

Agenda Item Number 2 – Med-evac

This is the GTMO hospital.  It is probably pretty comparable to most small town hospitals in the states.  We have doctors and specialists visit the island periodically.  We even have an OB/GYN.  But the personnel at the hospital are very conservative about what they treat on island.  Any situation that has the potential to require more advanced care, they refer off island.  This is medevac.  Some medevac are not emergency-based.  In that case, the patient can make arranges to go off island and get the necessary care.  

However, if the situation is urgent or life-threatening, they will call in an air ambulance to take the patient to Miami or Jacksonville.  They cannot get the air ambulance here unless they have a guarantee of payment.  So the discussion at the faculty meeting was about checking our insurance policies to make sure we have that coverage.  If you don’t have the coverage the air ambulance can cost from 15,000 to 30,000.  I checked; I have the coverage.  (Whew!)

My school district actually has a line item in the budget for med-evac.   

I hope that this information doesn’t come in handy… but we are all about safety and security here at GTMO.  

My Friends at Cuzco Cemetery

I have done some research on the Cuzco Cemetery. I discovered that at one time there were several small cemeteries around the base and in the late 1940s many remains were moved to the Cuzco Cemetery. This accounts for the tombstones being so uniform. I also found more information on the two residents I found so intriguing.

First, Kumaji Makamota did not die in a wreck as I assumed the abbreviation wrck on the tombstone referred to. I found the application for the new tombstone when he was moved to the Cuzco Cemetery. WRCK stands for Wardroom Cook. I also found his enlistment record. He was born in Japan. He was living in Brooklyn and working as a waiter when he enlisted. He enlisted on August 25, 1897. He served in the Spanish American War aboard the USS Cincinnati at Matanzas, Cuba on April 27, 1900. He was Honorable Discharged on August 24, 1900 and reenlisted on August 25, 1900. He died on February 22, 1902. The records do not indicate how he died. It is likely he was a victim of Yellow Fever… but I will continue to research.  I also have found no record of relatives.  Where is your family Kumaji?

Second, Gertrude Myers Russell’s tombstone indicates that she was from Kansas and that she was a civilian employee. I wrongly assumed that she was here unaccompanied. I was able to find the obituary of her daughter, Corrie Russell Snell. What I learned was that Corrie was born on November 14, 1922 in Guantanamo Bay Cuba to Gertrude Myers Russell and William Edward Russell. Gertrude died just 5 days later probably from complications of child birth. I still don’t know what job she had or why she was at GTMO…. Still many questions.

I took a genealogy class from a woman who believed firmly that those who have passed on want to be remembered and want their stories to be told. She felt strongly that they will reach out from the other side to help us find the clues.  I feel like Kumaji and Gertrude have reached out to me and want their stories told. I’m not sure where this will take me, but I will follow the clues, and I will keep you all posted.

In Lasting Peace

I love cemeteries! The older, the better. I love cemeteries because they are a glimpse into the most personal and intimate history of a place. Cemeteries require inference. As an English teacher, I teach reading comprehension using inferences. Inferences combine background information on the subject and the not so obvious subtextual clues. This results in an educated guess about the subject… in this case the people of GTMOs past.

GTMO’s cemetery is located in a secure part part of the base. As such special permission is needed to go there.   It is beyond peaceful.

The cemetery is similar to any simple country cemetery in the States. It is maintained, and continues to be used as a cemetery most commonly for the aging Cuban Exile population.

The cemetery is the last resting place for not only Cuban exiles, but also, Haitian Refugees, Service men, wives and children, and various civilian workers.   It represents the community that is and was GTMO.

A view of the cemetery from the entrance.

The oldest grave I came across was from 1902, the year before we officially leased this land from Cuba. That is the extent of my background knowledge for Kumaji Makamota.

Grave of Kumaji Makamota

The clues are on the stone. Kumaji died, evidently, as the result of a wreck of a Navy vessel. There is no rank listed, nor the name of any ship. He was obviously known to the Navy as they knew his name and his birth date. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that he worked for the Navy, but in what capacity we do not know. And although his birthday was very American, July 4, his name is apparently Japanese. He was 29 years old at the time of his death. I wanted to know who Kumaji was, and why he was at Guantanamo Bay. I wanted to know the circumstances of his death and if his family ever knew what became of him. I wanted to know his history, but a brief search of the internet gave me no details for Kumaji, nor any record of a shipwreck near Guantanamo Bay in the year 1902.  I will continue to look for Kumaji… does anyone know he’s here?

I pressed on across the field, and came across Gertrude Myers Russell.  She was from Kansas. She was 29 years old when she died in 1922. Those are the clues. Now for my inferences…. Gertrude sounds very adventurous to me. She wasn’t presented as the “wife” of some service man. Her grave proudly announces her as a civilian employee. At a time when most American women did not work outside the home, let alone travel to remote foreign destinations, Gertrude was here at GTMO. I think she and I are kindred spirits.  I want to know Gertrude’s story.

The grave of Gertrude Myers Russell

But what struck me most about the Cuzco Cemetery, were the children. Dozens of markers bear the names of children. Children who died the day they were born; children who died within a year of birth, children who died as young children; children forever a part of Guantanamo Bay.

The graves of children

 

Their names are too many to list, these children at rest.  It is their mothers I wonder about, worry about.  GTMO is a duty station.  Most military families stay here for two to three years and then move on to the next post.  It is also a secure location, and requires special clearance to visit.  Most likely these mothers left their babies behind forever.  There is not much to infer; forever is a long time.

I wish I could reach out over the years and miles and let these mothers know, their babies are not forgotten.  They are forever a part of this special place.  They are Guantanamo Bay’s past and they stand as a testament to the families who sacrifice more than most Americans will ever realize to serve their country.

I want each child to know you are loved and you are valued, and you are not forgotten.

That is what I love about cemeteries….they are filled with people’s lives.

Listening for God in GTMO

Just outside of Libby, Montana, going west with the setting sun, are the beautiful Kootenai Falls.  They are different everyday, in part because Libby Dam controls the flow of water. Regardless, they are magnificent.  They are a source of spiritual inspiration to many.  The falls have a special significance to the Kootenai Indians of this region.  As I understand the significance, it is at the falls where one will hear the Great Spirit. I have sat at the edge of the falls listening, praying, and hoping for divine guidance.  I love the falls and the mountains of Northwest Montana and feel God’s presence there.  He is there I can feel him, but he had been somewhat silent for me. I have not learned how to listen properly.  The falls are loud, and his voice is quiet, but persistent.  So I am told. Today, Annie and I went to the beach here in GTMO.  The beaches here are not like the beaches of Hawaii or South Florida, but I find them amazing.  They are small and rocky.  They are unspoiled by the trappings of the tourist industry.  In that way, GTMO reminds me a lot of NW Montana.  It is simple.  The beauty of GTMO and NW Montana is that neither has been overly corrupted or redefined by the world’s standard for perfectionism in beauty. GTMO beaches are raw.  Today we shared the beach with four other humans and a couple of Iguanas.  The surf was calm.  Snorkeling was easy and relaxing.  The fish were unhurried as well.  The visibility was good.  This all makes up for the steep stairs that descend to the beach and the awkward last step from the crumbling cement with the rusty railings.  No it is not post card perfect. Today, after swimming, I sat in the sun. Annie was tanning at my side:  each of us in our own worlds of thought and relaxation.  I closed my eyes and listed to the surf gently hitting the shore. I thought back to earlier in the day when I was lost in thought at the checkout counter in the NEX.  My favorite cashier was helping me.  He is the Jamaican man with the warm smile and peaceful air.  When he is asked the routine, “How are you today?”  He answers, “We are richly blessed and highly favored.”  Oh how my soul needs to hear those words. Since I was lost in thought, he had to get my attention.  I apologized and said I was thinking of the week ahead.  He wisely counseled me in the checkout line to not worry about tomorrow.  “Tomorrow will take care of itself.”  He reiterated his point a second time.  “You don’t need to worry today.  Tomorrow you can take care of it.” And I realized there, sitting on the beach, listening to the waves that if I listen carefully, I hear the voice of God all the time in those around me.  He is at the falls.  He is at the beach.  And, he is in the checkout line of the NEX. But in my haste and worry and need to control this world of mine, I forget to listen.  I am not sure I “heard” him in the NEX.  It took time to reflect, to realize who I was hearing. At that moment on the beach I heard the small, quiet voice of God telling me that it is ok.  It is ok to take this time to heal my heart and my soul.  He is giving me this time to heal.  He reassured me that I don’t have to hurry through it.  Whatever is on the other side of this process will be there.  Listening to the waves is part of my healing, and he told me… it is ok.

GTMO’s Foreign National Work Force

At one time Guantanamo Bay had about 3000 Cubans who worked on base.  They provided all the service labor needed to keep a base functioning.  After the Cuban revolution in 1958 the Cuban government made it increasingly difficult for Cubans to work on base.  They did not forbid it; they allowed anyone working at the base to continue, but the base could not hire anyone new.  The numbers dwindled over the years until the final two workers retired in 2012.  Today, at the monthly meetings held at the NE Gate, the US soldiers deliver the pension checks for retired Cuban workers.

The labor force for the base has shifted to foreign nationals who mainly come from Jamaica, the Philippines and Thailand.  These workers are hired by American based companies who contract their services.  Andie and Boyd pictured below are from the Philippines.  They have each worked on base for about 10 years.

The foreign nationals do most of the hard labor on the island.  They do all the maintenance and grounds work. They work in the Galleys and at the Navy Exchange.  They are without a doubt the hardest working people on this base.

The crews who cut the weeds on the road wear t-shirts around their faces to keep the dust out.. even when the temperature is 100 degrees or more.  They are called the road ninjas by locals.  Andie and Boyd work for housing.  They proudly told me that before I moved into my house they had replaced the carpet upstairs and the linoleum on the main floor.  They also replaced the tile grout in the kitchen and bathrooms.  They painted the entire interior.  Their crew of five men do this to 16 houses a month.  The house was spotless when I moved in.

To make extra money, many of the foreign nationals provide gardening services, house cleaning services and car detailing services to base residents.  They do this on their one day off each week, Sunday, or in the evenings.

The way the contracted employment works is workers are flown from the Philippines.  They are given a room in the Gold Hill Barracks (for men) or the trailers (for women).  There are common area kitchens and bathrooms and generally three individuals to one room.  They are given $8.00 a day for a food and they make a whopping 1.46 per hour.  They spend two years at GTMO before they are eligible for a return flight to see their families.  They usually return home for about 65 days every two years.

On pay days, we will see a long line at the Western Union Office for the workers who are sending the money home to support their families.  Why would anyone agree to such wages?  At home in the Philippines, Andie told me, the average wage is 1.00 per hour if you can find a job.

For Jamaican workers, life is a little easier.  It is only a little over 100.00 to fly round trip to Jamaica from GTMO with a flight every Wednesday.  Most Jamaican workers can go home every six months.

Andie worked a few extra months on his last contract so he could be home for Christmas.  This was the first time in several years he was able to be with his family for Christmas.  He has a wife and two children: a son, twelve, and a daughter, seven.  Boyd’s children are grown.  He has one son living here at GTMO and working with him.  He has three other children and three grandchildren in the Philippines.

These amazing people do not complain.  They work hard and are extremely pleasant and polite.  They also know if they cause any trouble, they can be sent home and lose their job, so they tolerate a lot from base residents.  However, most residents are very appreciative of the foreign nationals and realize they have a difficult lot in life.  Most people have gardeners and housecleaners.  It is a way to help these hard working base residents help their families.

Annie was quite indignant about the way the foreign nationals are treated.  She felt it was almost like slavery.  While I won’t go that far, indentured servitude might not be too far off.  It is difficult to accept, but at the same time the base supplies thousands of jobs to people who would not have an opportunity to work otherwise.

So when you are having a difficult day at work and cranky because you haven’t had a vacation recently… remember these folks from the Philippines.

GTMO Green

The sun shines every day in Cuba.  We may have the occasional cloud burst, but the sun always seems to come out.  This fact along with the fact that the base has to be self-sustaining due to our not so gracious host nation and our distance from US soil, means that GTMO is an ideal location for alternative power and water supplies.

Everywhere you look on base you can find evidence of solar powered devices.  The streetlights all have individual solar power cells.  Behind the high school, the former football field is covered goal to goal by solar panels.  Even the new generation of electric cars have solar panels.

These electric cars are plugged into an electric outlet to charge. There are also solar panels atop the cars.

On top of what is known as John Paul Jones Hill, there are four windmills that can be seen from almost every vantage on base.  These windmills generate power for the base.

Windmills atop of JPJ Hill

In 1964, Castro cut off water to the base in retaliation for the U.S. arrest of Cuban fisherman off the coast of Florida.  Water was shipped to the base and within a couple of months a desalination plant was built on base.

This sign is at the NE gate over a section of pipe that was removed and left visible as proof that the US was no longer receiving any water from Cuba. Five months later the desalination plant was on line providing adequate drinking and potable water for base residents.

The desalination plant can produce 3 million gallons of drinking water each day.  It was hit hard during Hurricane Sandy, so looks a little the worse for wear right now.  The water is not as tasty as Montana water.  Most people buy bottled water for drinking water, but it is perfectly safe to drink.

The desalination plant went into operation in July 1964. It can produce 3 million gallons of drinking water per day.

Wounded Warriors come to GTMO

One of the things I have enjoyed about being part of a military community is how much they support each other.  It is not unusual here for someone to go through the line at McDonalds to find that the person in front of them has paid for their meal.  People are constantly helping one another when the need arises.  One day, I saw a stack of papers fly out of someones vehicle as they went down the road.  I stopped as did another car.  We had all the papers picked up before the person who lost them was able to make it back to the spot where they flew out of the car.  My friend Yolonda has named this “the GTMO way”.  It is true.  We seem to instinctively know that we are living in a stressed environment and that we are all in it together, and it seems to bring out the best in people.  I have met so many genuinely nice people from all over the United States and the world.  Some, I have no doubt will be life-long friends.

I digress….. this post is supposed to be about the Wounded Warriors, and it is, but it is also about the spirit of GTMO.  In January, seven soldiers who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistancame to GTMO to learn to SCUBA dive as a part of their rehabilitation.  The program they attended is called SUDS (Soldier’s Undertaking Disabled Scuba).  The program takes wounded warriors to several different locations to dive as a part of their rehabilitation.  This is the ninth time the program has brought warriors to GTMO.

The warriors who attended this program had each lost a limb.  Three of the participants this year had lost parts of both legs.  The participants are undergoing rehabilitation services through either Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Naval Medical Center Sand Diego or San Antonio Military Medical Hospital.

What makes the GTMO diving experience so special for these wounded warriors is that most of the instructors have a military background.  They understand the selfless service these men have given to their country.  Since most of the dive community here has a military connection, over 150 volunteers signed up to make this experience special for these seven men.  Reef Raiders, the local diving club, and Ocean Enterprises, the local dive shop, coordinated the effort.  Meals were prepared, transportation was arranged, volunteers were lined up to carry and clean gear.  It was a tremendous community effort.  It was a celebration of these men and their service.  It was a way to say thank you and to acknowledge the sacrifice they made for their country.

According to an article in The Wire (Vol. 15, Issue 34), John Thompson, SUDS president is quoted as saying,”It’s not really all about diving.  Yes, that’s what we do, we’re a dive program, but SUDS helps give them confidence and help with self esteem.  It helps them segue into other challenges in their life.  Also, I think its good fellowship.  They have similar injuries and similar interests in diving and they have something they can related to.  Hopefully this program is having an impact and helping them get on with their life.  To see them evolve and build that confidence, you can see their personality come out more and more, it’s very gratifying to be a part of that.”

This picture is our dive instructor (and fellow Montanan, Russ Wampler) and three of the Wounded Warriors he worked with as part of the SUDS program.