Staff Sgt. Lydia Chen

Let's continue honoring the Illinois National Guard this week for the very important work they're doing in Afghanistan. I hear from a lot of viewers who are looking for good news. Hopefully this story fits the criteria.

Before I proceed, a program note: Tom Negovan who recently returned from Afghanistan covering the Guard's work there, has put together a half-hour special airing on WGN-TV Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Tom spent time with them going on some of the dangerous missions we hear less and less about on the front pages.

 The story I'm getting is that these fine soldiers who serve in a time of need; who occupy familiar jobs back home;  are trying to help the Afghan people regain the dignity which is theirs and to become capable of handling their own affairs. No one from the 33rd Combat Brigade I've corresponded with has ever stated anything that strays from that point. They want to come home, but they're willing to stay until their mission is accomplished. Time to introduce someone special.

Staff Sgt. Lydia Chen is one of the 3000 Illinois Guardsman who's been in Afghanistan since last year, specifically at Camp Phoenix, just outside Kabul. It's home-base for about 750 troops, and like any other American base, needs protection. Lydia lived in Aurora and now at Camp Phoenix.  She's responsible for keeping the base and its residents safe, and making sure others are doing their job to secure the base. Lydia's story resonated with me because she represents how good we can be. She's young, smart, ambitious, and as you're about to find out, very patriotic.

On Memorial Day, Lydia was supposed to be on WGN's Morning News via satellite in Afghanistan, but something a little more important came up. She was busy getting sworn in along with about a hundred other troops to become an American citizen. Lydia's family moved to American when she was 11-years old and up until now, she was a permanent resident.This is to say, Lydia became a U.S. citizen while fighting and defending freedoms we enjoy and Afghans desperately deserve. I have to admit ignorance on something. I didn't know just by loving this country and holding a green card allows one to serve in the military. But that's me. Learn something new everyday. No doubt an amazing reflection of Lydia's character.

Lydia went through the process like any other foreign-born person would. She had to study, take the test, and pass. All while watching her back and the backs of her comrades. By the way, Lydia's mother Helen recently achieved American citizenship status.  Congratulations to both of you!
 
Lydia's mother Helen works for UPS and her father is a cook. Back in China Helen was a university professor teaching vocals with a specialty in European opera. Lydia says she's a soprano. She also has a Masters degree in computer science. Lydia's father worked for the corrections department. The family moved to Aurora in the late 80's with Lydia being the only child.

Lydia had the typical experience of an American teenager, attending Waubonsie Valley HS. She joined the Illinois National Guard as a high school junior. After graduation, Lydia went on to the University of Illinois at Chicago, dorming there and studying biochemistry until she received her deployment orders. Those came after her junior year. Lydia says she "had a blast" in school with her friends. Little did she know at the time that bigger things awaited her. Like Afghanistan.
 
 
It would be obvious to state the danger of anyone living, working, or fighting in Afghanistan. Since 9/11, Afghanistan has been in the news almost daily. First Osama bin Laden, and then add Taliban fighters, and it begins sinking in what a dangerous place the place is. Statistics tell the story. Fourteen Guard units have lost their lives and dozens other wounded since the Illinois Guard's deployment there.  The fighting appears to be intensifying with a growing number of American casualties. However, it doesn't seem to deter Lydia. She's already re-enlisted for another three years following her return.

Part of her duties is to make sure others defending the base are doing their jobs. That means all the guards on towers and walking the perimeter are up to the task. There must be a lot of pep talks going on. Lydia dryly sums up most days:

"A typical day for me is waking up around 6p (1800 hours military time), going to work at 7:30p for the next twelve hours.  (When I get off work), It's laundry, shower, eat, sleep. Then start another day."

It sounds routine except that she's in Afghanistan where if anyone reads or sees the news, can see this isn't like working at Disneyland. What makes it tolerable?

Lydia answers how rewarding it is to be working among her comrades. "Each of them is unique and we're able to help each other out and become stronger as a group." If only we all could think that way.

Lydia talks about the enemy:

 "The enemy is a terrorist group who set out to inflict pain and suffering to civilians, non-combatant, and/or Coalition Forces through violence in order to achieve political goals. We are trained to identify them. We keep our eyes open and focused at all times to watch each other's back."

Lydia talked about the Afghan people:

"The Afghan people are humble people who work long days. The ones I've met are farmers and factory workers from what I can tell. They are also religious. They pray several times a day," she says. A loud speaker in the village is employed in providing the prayer music and sermons.

"They enjoy listening to their radio, some have TVs, and they like to party! I often see festivities and gatherings  for weddings and other events," she said.  

That could be you or me talking about our neighbors.

It sounds like the Guard's presence also has some residual effects on the children. "Some of the kids here speak very good English by talking to the soldiers. I have not personally talked to the women here, but I believe it is possible," Lydia says.

How easy is it to communicate with family and friends back home for Lydia?

"Soldiers at the base can email and SKYPE because we are blessed to be in one of the few bases that have good amenities like stable internet," she says. But for Lydia, sleep comes crashing like a wave when she finishes her 12-hour all-night shift.

She misses being at school, eating the variety of foods we back in Chicago can find easily. "Although the food is good at the chow hall, it is the consensual complaint is the good food is almost the same food everyday," she says. She also misses swimming. What, no pools in Kabul?

Lydia puts it in a perspective of someone who has gained years of wisdom.

 "I think it's always helpful for a young person to go outside of his/her home to see and experience what it is like on the other side of the world. Such experiences contribute to a person's growth and maturity by getting a world view. I grew up in China, moved to America at 11, and at 23, am in Afghanistan.

We need to listen to Lydia. She's in a world hot spot, yet she seems focused and mature with a healthy perspecitve. Capable of enjoying a good time, and still seeing the big picture. Her words say it all. I asked her about being in the Guard. 

 "I'm proud to be a member. Although we are not full-time active duty soldiers, we are capable of coming together to go to war in time of need. We are willing to leave our school, job, and loved ones behind to fulfill a greater cause. And I believe that is something we should be proud of."

I learned a lot from Lydia's humility about her situation. I wanted to know if she had a message for other young woman and all of us, something to take away from her experience.

"I think it's important," she says, "for someone young to acquire the confidence that when she sets out to achieve a goal , she will make it happen. More importantly, it is the sense of accomplishment that will drive her to continue to set bigger and greater goals later in life. Start with something small and short-term, and move on to tackle more difficult and long-term goals. My six year contract with the Illinois Army National Guard ends soon, but I've recently reenlisted for another three years. My goal is to make the most out of that."

Dr. Phil couldn't have said it better.