Pete

Do you know where is Bargram, Afghanistan? It is where my good friend, Pete, is now. He serves in the Air Force and was deployed over there 1 week ago.

Pete is my good friend from Austin. He was a junior when we met--we were in the operation management class. We became friends almost immediately and naturally. That summer, we went to Chicago (my very first time) where his brothers and sister lived. I remember we jogged on some "random" streets and we walked along the Lake. I guess I got to love Chicago since then.

When I told him I was going to UIUC for doctoral work, he told me that UIUC is just 15-min away from where his mom lives. Nice surprise. So after I came here, I actually went to his mom's house twice, when he was visiting. The first time was my first-ever Thanksgiving. I got to know his mom. Then was during his long road trip from Florida to Idaho. He finished his training in Pensacola, FL and moved base to Boise, ID. He drove by IL to see his family. It was during the Spring of 2006.

His younger brother came back from Iraq during the past Thanksgiving after a one-year deployment, now is his turn. I cannot help but thinking of their mom, who is such as kind and warm lady. Wish him and his family all the best.