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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (10/19/2012) – For most families,
family reunions are a preplanned event to allow family members to
come together and catch up on the past. With frequent travel and
deployments, military members have a harder time making it to their
family reunions. On the other hand, being in the military sometimes
creates unique opportunities for families to reunite.
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Captain Kenneth Anderson (left), personnel
officer-in-charge, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force
Lightning Horse, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, is reunited with his
older brother 1st Lt. Robert Anderson, key engagement officer for
the Deputy Commanding General of Maneuvers, 3rd Infantry Division,
at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 18, 2012. Courtesy Photo
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This was the case for Capt. Ken Anderson, personnel
officer-in-charge for 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment,
Task Force Lightning Horse, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade,
when he recently came across his own type of a family
reunion when he met up with his brother in Afghanistan.
“I am thankful for this exquisite opportunity every
day,” said Ken Anderson, a native of Tampa, Fla. “His
initial arrival was special to me because he was able to pin
me during my promotion to Captain. Since we both were
selected for captain at the same time, I will get the
opportunity to return the favor to him before I leave here.”
Ken Anderson was reunited with
one of his older brothers, 1st Lt. Robert Anderson, the key
leader engagement officer for the Deputy Commanding
General-Maneuver, 3rd Infantry Division and Regional
Command-South, also a native of Tampa, Fla.
“It was
very interesting to introduce him to the soldiers in my
workplace and vice versa,” stated Ken Anderson. “Everyone
was very interested to meet him.”
In a way, their
reunion could actually be considered planned. The situation
came about when Ken Anderson went on his rest and relaxation
leave period to the southeast corner of the United States,
to visit family and his brother. Robert Anderson was
stationed at Fort Stewart with a non-deploying unit. They
talked about 3rd ID's upcoming deployment to Afghanistan,
the opportunity of transferring to a deploying unit, and
decided that Robert Anderson should interview for the job.
“I knew I would get to see him here in Afghanistan, I
just didn't realize I would get stationed with him,” said
Robert Anderson. “Out of five brothers, four of us are in
the Army. With all of us in the military, it is hard to get
together. Anytime we can meet up is a great reunion due to
us being strewn throughout the world.”
This has
enabled the two brothers to spend approximately six months
together at the same location.
“Something like this
doesn't happen every day,” said Ken Anderson. “It is pretty
amazing everything fell into place for this to happen. It is
either a lucky coincidence or destined rendezvous. I thank
the Army for putting this all together.”
The brothers
have come close to being stationed together in the past. The
first time was in Korea. Ken Anderson was stationed at Camp
Casey and Robert Anderson was at Camp Humphreys. This time,
they are both in the same area, same time, and working in
the same division, but still assigned to different units.
“I love working with my brother,” said Robert Anderson.
“We get to share similar experiences. We are going to try
and get the same duty station after this. We got close a
couple of times, but now we should have a better chance
after I pin captain.”
Since the two brothers work in
different units, finding time on their schedules leaves
little time at the beginning or end of the day.
“We
get together a couple of times a week to go to the gym,”
said Ken Anderson. “Since his arrival, we have done various
5k runs and the Army 10-mile run. It's hard to do meals with
our schedules being so different, so we try to hang out when
we can, which leaves our workouts.”
The workouts
between the brothers are a time they both look forward to.
“My workouts are real important to me because that is the
time I get to spend with him,” stated Robert Anderson.
Both brothers still get together whenever the
opportunity arises and do not take any moment for granted.
“The rareness of the occasion is not lost on me,” Ken
Anderson said. “It is just an amazing experience to be
stationed with your family. It's like having your brother on
a sports team. While we share the common goal of success, we
do have friendly discussions on who is the best, 25th ID or
3rd ID.”
By Army Sgt. Daniel Schroeder
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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