Community welcomes Simon Makovec
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
A sign on the door of Al's Café in Lost Springs Saturday read: Happy to have you HOME, SOLDIER.
It was meant for Spc. Simon Makovec, who is home on leave from Iraq. His parents, Gail and Marissa Makovec of Ramona, staged a surprise public reception for him at the café.
Hundreds of well-wishers — including relatives, friends, teachers, and other community members — flocked to Lost Springs to show their support and welcome Simon home from Iraq.
A local contingent of the Kansas Patriot Guard, with motorcycles rumbling and flags blazing, appeared on the scene to present Simon with a welcome banner and an American Legion Riders' coin which will buy him a first drink at any American Legion post throughout the country.
Simon was deployed in July. He is stationed 50 miles south of Baghdad and is a member of a combat infantry unit.
He said he serves in a dangerous area with no reporters around, sometimes going close to the Baghdad city limits. Every time the artillery unit goes out on a mission, they are definitely on "high alert."
They are trained to dress in full gear, stay in their vehicles as much as possible, and always be aware of their surroundings.
So far, none in his unit have been hurt or killed but some in other units which have joined them have suffered casualties.
Simon feels the American media does not present a fair picture of what is going on in Iraq. They are focusing on only a small part of the entire mission and not reporting on all the good things that are going on, he said. It affects the troops' morale.
"In watching the news from Iraq, it doesn't look like we're doing anything good," he said.
He noted that outside of Baghdad, the quality of life has been greatly improved. The soldiers have won the hearts and minds of the people by doing such things as providing for their health, building schools, and constructing water supply systems.
The soldiers also teach the civilian population how to do things better for themselves.
"We watch out for their safety, and they know that and try to help us," he said.
He said the exchange rate in Iraq is unbelievable. Soldiers visit local markets and can purchase exquisite, handcrafted items cheaply.
There's also a strategy to their shopping. While doling out American dollars, they seek information and get cooperation from vendors.
U.S.-trained Iraqi soldiers accompany Simon's unit on missions.
"They are well trained and are an asset to us because they put an Iraqi face on what we do," he said.
There aren't enough Iraqi troops to be able to take over their own security right now, Simon said, but they definitely are moving in the right direction.
It took some time for him to adjust to the cold weather in Kansas, but "I'd prefer it any day to Iraq."
He said temperatures have soared to as high as 135-140 degrees and the air is extremely dry.
His barracks is air-conditioned. Combat vehicles also are air-conditioned but only can lower the temperature by 20-30 degrees, he said.
He has been surprised and encouraged by the reception returning soldiers have received in America.
At the major airport hubs along the way, anywhere from 400-800 people have come to greet them and shake their hands.
Simon said the line of greeters at Dallas, Texas, was about three-quarters of a mile long. At Kansas City, the troops were cheered and thanked for their service.
Simon will go back to Iraq later this month and expects to be home for good at the end of March or in early April.
