Student returns to UCLA after stint in Iraq

For most students, the current war in Iraq is a distant reality
composed of media images. But for Ernest Alfante, who registered
for his spring quarter classes from Kuwait, the war was an everyday
part of his life.

Alfante, an Army Reserve member since he was 17, served a
yearlong term as a medic in the 437th Medical Company Ground
Ambulance Unit that was deployed to the Persian Gulf on Feb. 23,
2003. Alfante is also a fourth-year political science student at
UCLA.

Alfante was gearing up to finish his education when he received
the phone call that activated his military service.

“Life couldn’t get any better, and I was a little
pissed that they called because it was inconvenient,” he
said. “But … you have a duty to go.”

Maria Alfante, Ernest’s mother, said “it was
hell” for the family when they found out he would be leaving
for active duty.

“It was even made more devastating for us because we just
came back from a family vacation. He found himself an apartment and
got it all set up,” she said.

“Everything had to be reversed.”

Alfante said as a political science student he was apprehensive
about the war on an ideological level.

“I had a lot of doubts about what Bush was wanting to do,
it being close to an election. I was questioning the
motivations,” he said.

“But the good thing about being a medic is the job you do
requires no politics at all. If someone gets shot, whoever it is,
Iraqi, American, civilian, you’re there to help, and
instantly politics are out the window.”

Alfante was stationed in Iraq for about 60 days, beginning from
the onset of the war on March 19, 2004. He helped run the ground
ambulance, taking those in need of assistance to receive medical
care.

Alfante’s most vivid memories of Iraq was seeing wounded
Iraqi children that had been caught between the fighting.

Alfante recalls seeing children hurt and hearing them cry, and
how they reminded him of his 4-year-old brother. Those were the
times that the tears would come, he said.

“That’s what I see. Not everyone there would say
they saw that, but that’s my field of work.”

While in Iraq, Alfante formed a great respect for the Iraqi
people. Iraqis in the northern part of the country around Fallujah
and Baghdad were not very receptive to the Americans, and many of
the attacks against Americans occur in that region. But Alfante
said Iraqis in the south, where he was stationed, were welcoming to
the troops and made him feel like he was there to help.

“All these people want is their own freedom,” he
said.

“They are very religious, they have great morals, they
know what’s important to them.”

While in Iraq, communication between Alfante and his family was
scarce. Back home, his relatives worried.

“We didn’t hear from him. It was terrible.
Communication was rare. The next time I heard from him was
Mother’s Day, and it was a mixed feeling. There was happiness
to hear from him, but there was also concern for him,” said
Maria.

Sophia Nguyen, a fourth-year political science student and
Alfante’s close friend, kept up a letter correspondence with
him during his absence.

“Ernie’s always extremely positive. He never gave me
the impression that he was scared, but it was his duty. His letters
were always positive, telling me his day-to-day routine,”
said Nguyen.

After leaving Iraq around mid-May, Alfante returned to Kuwait,
where he waited to hear if he would be able to return home.

“You see people left and right going home. And
you’re wondering, when is it my turn?” he said.

Alfante was informed that he would not leave Kuwait until
February 2004. The days spent in Kuwait became tedious, and he
spent most of his time doing monotonous logistical work.

One important factor that kept him motivated was mail he
received from family and friends.

“Mail is the most important motivating factor of every
day. I can’t even explain. You’re sweaty, it’s
130 degrees and you haven’t showered in two weeks, everything
sucks, you’re hungry, and you’re standing around for
the mail call. To get that letter from your loved one, my God, you
would pay $100 a day,” Alfante said.

Alfante returned to the United States about eight weeks ago,
eager to resume his civilian life and continue his education at
UCLA.

“A lot of the soldiers in his unit wanted to take it easy
when they came back, but he was ready to dive head on and continue
with his life,” Maria said.

As he looks forward to finishing his education and pursuing a
career, Alfante says the time he spent in Iraq has not changed him
that much.

“I’d like to say I’m still the same guy. I
myself, I’m not different. It’s an experience to look
back on, and I definitely do not regret it,” he said.