Two generations, one similar mission

  • Published
  • By Capt. Susan A. Romano
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  One joined during the height of the Cold War. The other joined long after the Berlin Wall crumbled. One wears dress blues, the other, greens. One has more than 25 years of service, while the other -- just barely eight months.

But the two are so intimately connected that all their differences are outweighed by their similarities.

Senior Master Sgt. Lawrence Bakula is stationed here, working as the superintendent of the command post. His son, James, is a private first class deployed with the 66th Transportation Company.

And while his son’s transport was passing through An Nasiriyah on a supply convoy, the private’s commander gave him permission to stay here for two days to meet with his dad.

“It is so great to see my son again!” Sergeant Bakula said. “I know he has had a lot of experiences and has a dangerous job driving in convoys throughout Iraq. I am proud of his accomplishments and hope that his remaining time in Iraq will be safe.”

It was especially poignant for the father-son team to be together because it will be Private Bakula’s mother’s birthday March 27.

“We got to talk to my mom and my grandma,” the private said. “It was good to talk to them.”

The last time the family was together was at Christmas, just before the young private deployed to Iraq.

“When we talked to her, my wife told me to take lots of pictures, and to make sure James was taking care of himself mentally and physically,” Sergeant Bakula said. “She’s definitely worried about him, and it’s not easy for her with both of us gone.”

Unlike Sergeant Bakula, whose deployment is for about 90 days, his son will stay in the region for 12 to 18 months.

When asked what the most challenging part of his job is, Private Bakula said, “I’m just trying to get through this part first. I will get my (rest-and-recuperation leave) in September; so, I’m looking forward to that. I’ll get to see my girlfriend, Lauren, and see my family.”

The private’s unit motto is “Raise Up!” and he said, “My unit definitely raised up to get me here to see my dad. I’m really thankful to them.”

The 19-year-old Soldier has seen a lot in the short time since he joined the Army, his father said.

“James has been through a lot of danger and has seen things that I have never been exposed to in my 25 years of military service,” Sergeant Bakula said. “He’s probably done more for his country in the past four months than I have in my whole career. I’m really proud of him.”