G. I. Who?

By Mandy

Twenty-two-year-old Romanian Stefan Babamikyam wants nothing more than to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a G.I. Joe in the United States Army. But with little command of the English language and American culture, Stefan arrives in the United States completely unprepared for what he is about to face.

Left to his own devices in a strange land, Stefan soon embarks on a comical journey that tests his inner strength, patience, and perseverance. After he spends a rather frightening night in a strange womans house, Stefan finds shelter with another family, who soon introduces him to Father Hannigan, a kindly priest who offers to help Stefan with his English. As Stefan secures a job and settles into his new lifekeeping up a steady correspondence with his girlfriend, Tatiana, back in RomaniaFather Hannigan takes him to meet an Army recruiter who promises to prepare him both physically and mentally for boot camp. But no one knows that Stefan is harboring a secret that, when it comes to light, may draw the eyes of Army Counterintelligence.

G. I. Who? shares the compelling journey of a foreign army recruit as he adjusts to life in America and soon discovers that nothing is ever as easy as it seems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbott Press
• Release date: Feb 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781458207845

Mandy

Mandy has been writing poetry, novels, short stories, and essays for over fifty years. She has contributed over forty essays to Science of Soul Magazine and is the author of seven e-books. Mandy lives with her daughter in Pennsylvania.

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Copyright © 2013 Mandy.

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ISBN: 978-1-4582-0785-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-0784-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013900363

Abbott Press rev. date: 02/11/13

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

G. I. WHO?

Biography

Dedication

Dedicated to my grandfather who served in WWI, his three sons who served in the Korean War, my three grandsons who served in the United States Marines, my two grandsons who are currently serving in the United States Marines and my grandson who served in the United States Coast Guard.

Dedicated to all those brave men and women who served in all branches of the United States Military and those who are currently still serving.

In Memory of our United States Ambassador in Libya Christopher Stevens, two Navy Seals and other staff members. May your names never be forgotten and your abounding courage represent the zeal and courage of every United States Soldier.

A Special Thank You to Tracy Bonner for all her help with Military Protocol and Regulations.

"One Nation Under God Indivisible With Liberty

and Justice For All"

Introduction

G.I. Who? is Stefan Babamikyam, a twenty-two year old from Romania who wants to come to the United States to find a job and a place for himself and his girlfriend when he gets the money. He is comical in that he knows very little English and does not understand American slang.

In his search for a place to live and work Stefan meets Father Hannigan who starts to direct him and becomes sort of a mentor. Stefan also accidentally meets an Army Recruiter named Christopher.

Between the two of them it took two months to get him ready for Boot Camp, Father Hannigan helping out with his English and the Recruiter who helps Stefan with translation and gives him the Army’s ASVAB Test. He also gives Stefan an I.Q. test.

In two months he is ready for the MEPS testing and medical examinations, followed by a short visit with the psychologist. Two days later Stefan is taken to Boot Camp at Fort Jackson, North Carolina.

Enjoy the simplicity of this highly intelligent young man and the barriers he runs up against in America not knowing the language and especially not knowing American slang.

Enjoy reading the love letters between Stefan and his love, Tatiana, if you can. They both are working hard on their English, but some of the letters are comical.

This book will keep you laughing as you go on Stefan’s journey with him.

G. I. Who? Represents Every Branch of the United States Military.

G. I. WHO?

In a little village just outside Romania lived a young man named Stefan Babamikyam who decided he was going to take his love to the United States of America. He got a book from the local library and spent three weeks going over important things he thought he should know when he got to America. In his back pocket he carried the tablet where he wrote his notes. Tatiana would take the book back to the library so he stayed up several nights; once until dawn. He asked Tatiana if she would buy him an English learning book. He had to know more than what was in that little book from the library.

But Stefan had a secret reason. When he was young he used to sit up with his Tata (father) and watch American cowboy and war movies. He couldn’t believe how courageous they were and how beautiful America was. From the time he was seven years old, his biggest dream was living in America and joining the American Army. He begged his father for a G. I. Joe Soldier. Father didn’t think it would be right if his friends knew he had an American Soldier doll. When he came home one night, he crept up behind Stefan and tapped him on the shoulder.

Stefan jumped and then jumped into his father’s arms.

Father was smiling, more than usual. He told Stefan’s mother to bring out the box that came in the mail. She thought it appropriate that father should give it to him. Father put Stefan down and said, What is the one thing you want most for your birthday?

A G. I. Joe Soldier! he yelled as he jumped up and down.

Father handed Stefan the box and he couldn’t tell from the stamp that it came all the way from America. He ripped open the box, grabbed the Soldier and leaned up to give Father a big hug.

Oh, don’t thank me. Mother wrote all the way to someone in America for you.

He laughed again and said, Now is this the last time you will ever hound me for that Soldier?

Oh yes, Stefan said, as he walked over to mother and showed her. He then looked at both of them and said, "I promise this Soldier will never fight with the ones in my room. That wouldn’t be very nice, right father? But I do want to grow up and be a real G. I .Joe.

I don’t think so young man, Mother sternly told him.

The Babamikyams lived in a modest home outside of Romania in a village of seventy people. Americans would call their home quaint and old-fashion. A homemade six foot long wooden table sat in the middle of the kitchen. Because Stefan was one of the youngest, he believed he helped father build the table. With eleven sons one would need a six-foot table. Mother always kept it shiny with her homemade oils. Pots and pans hung from the ceiling and two stand-up cabinets held the food. Father surprised the whole family two years ago when he had a refrigerator delivered. He spent seven months saving up for it.

Sometimes a neighbor who went hunting would have a large kill. It was common to ask Mr. Babamikyam to put it up in his freezer for a while. Their home was a remodeled barn, but if you were a stranger to the village you would never have suspected it. Mr. Babamikyam put up a new door and two windows in the front. He and two of Stefan’s brothers helped him sand the outside, then put two coats of dark brown stain on it. They saved the sealer for the next day.

For an added touch he bought his wife various flowers and soil for her to plant and soon it became more of a home than she could have asked for. Their only problem was where to sleep eleven boys. Father and the two eldest sons worked endlessly building bunk beds. Stefan was the seventh born and he was only allowed to polish them. Father had already built four bunk beds years ago.

Everyone liked the Babamikyam family. They were very active in their little community, always keeping watch over each other. No mother had to sit alone with a sick child. Someone always volunteered. When Mr. Babamikyam’s job closed down for lack of material, the community pitched in and kept them in food for two months. Mr. Babamikyam returned their goodness by helping out with any work of labor that was needed. It was the perfect life. Everyone always hoped year after year that Mrs. Babamikyam was finally carrying a girl. It never happened and she was quite alright with her sons. Stefan was the seventh of eleven sons. He grew up but not without his G.I. Joe Soldier, where it sat on the dresser. He was now twenty-two and was about to fulfill his dream. Stefan was only home on the weekends. During the week he worked for Tatiana’s father on their farm.

Their living room was large. Two unmatched sofas sat on opposite sides of the room. Mother made her own curtains out of extra money father gave her to buy material. She loved lace. It made her feel comfortable, so she bought blue lace material and made two long curtains. Father and some neighbors put up a half-wall to separate the living room from the kitchen.

One night when father had stayed up a bit longer than usual, Stefan asked if they could talk a little.

Father said, Let’s sit down and see what Mother has made us for dinner.

Hours after dinner when the kitchen was quiet Father said, What’s on your mind Stefan? as he shook the tobacco out of his pipe.

Stefan was very hesitant. He knelt down and put his hand on his father’s knee.

There is something I must tell you, but I just don’t know how.

Son, if you are tired of working for Tatiana’s father, it’s quite alright if you want to quit. You think I don’t know you are sweet on her?

Yes, I am father, but it is more important than that.

Father gestured for him to sit down on the foot stool.

Nothing you have to tell or ask me will have much difference. You are your own man and I don’t tell you what to do anymore. I’m proud of you son. You have always been top in all your lessons and have never given your mother or me a problem. You are a very good son. Get it over and tell me or ask me about what is troubling you.

Stefan lowered his head and rubbed his hands. He slowly looked up at his father.

I have made a decision you may not like or approve of. I also need your blessing on my decision. I want to marry Tatiana but her father does not give me much money, so I could never afford a home for us, unless I carry out my decision.

Father looked puzzled. He lifted Stefan’s chin and said, Son, you do not have to come to me to help you make a decision. I know you don’t make much money over there. I know you only stay because of Tatiana, but son, you don’t have to stay that close to a woman all the time. You are supposed to go out in the world and seek out a better job.

Father had no idea why he said out in the world.

Stefan swallowed hard and quickly said, Father I have decided to go to America and after I’ve gotten a good job and a place to live I will bring Tatiana over with me.

Father was shocked.

Stefan, go over in the cabinet and get your father the bottle of whiskey my boss gave me at Christmas time. Bring me a glass also.

As Father poured some whiskey, his eyes never left Stefan. He drank the first small glass and began pouring another.

Would you like a drink son? Go on. It’s okay now. You certainly are old enough.

Stefan got another glass and sat beside his father, pouring himself a drink with shaky hands.

I’m really sorry father, but I could never find the right time to tell you. I have given this a great deal of thought. By a great deal, I mean it has always been my dream. I want to go to America and find a home and a good job so I can bring Tatiana over later.

If you would like another job, I can get you a very good job in the city. I don’t understand why you want to live in America. It is very fast paced over there and all the cities are very crowded. You speak no English and you have not saved any money.

Father I have saved money. I have seven-hundred dollars in the bank. I need to get about six hundred dollars more than I can leave. Father I love you and Mother very much, but I have always dreamed of going to America.

Father poured them another drink.

Well, Stefan, it sounds to me like there is no way of stopping a man who has lived his life on a dream. Now that you are able to do this, I cannot stop you, and I would not even try. I will worry for you and want to receive letters regularly.

Stefan jumped up and hugged his father, spilling some whiskey on his shirt.

Oh, thank you Father. This was so hard for me to do. It has even made me sick in my stomach this passed week just thinking about telling you.

Lonesome tears sat in the corner of each of father’s eyes.

You have my blessings son. You must leave it to me to tell your mother. She will be very upset, you know?

You see, Father, that is why this has been so hard for me. I can’t look Mother in the eyes and tell her. Women cry faster than men do.

Stefan’s father threw his head back and said, So you have been studying women, have you?

No Father. I’ve always observed them. Women can tell you something without saying anything.

Father laughed again and looked at the bottle of whiskey.

Well, Stefan, I see I will have to replace this bottle tomorrow. Mother likes whiskey in the house for medicinal purposes. Put your glass over here. I want us to click our glasses and then congratulate you on the large task you are taking upon yourself.

A few minutes later Father took the whiskey bottle over to the sink and filled it half way up.

He whispered, Just so your mother doesn’t know. We should get some sleep. We both have to work tomorrow. I wish you had told me this on a Saturday, he said as he turned his back to go to his room.

Good night Stefan.

Good night father.

Stefan knew he had one more problem. He couldn’t tell his love, Tatiana. It would upset her so much if she had to leave her mama and learn all new customs. Now that he was twenty-two years old, he was ready. How was he going to face Tatiana and tell her about his dream? Then again it wouldn’t be a lie if he just left out the Army part. After several days, he decided to tell her.

Stefan was a rather small man measuring five foot-four inches. He wore his brown curly hair under an outworn cap, which only exposed his large brown eyes. Tatiana said she was making him a new one. Tatiana was five-foot-seven inches. She was a large woman weighing one hundred seventy pounds; while Stefan weighed one hundred forty pounds Tatiana was very beautiful with long