GREECE

JULY 2023

Occasionally, we will deploy to a disaster, and then the disaster will be managed within a couple of days. This is the cost of doing business. This was the case with some wildfires across several Greek islands. And there are certainly worse places to be to have nothing to do.

I was stationed on the island of Rodos and had a team of 4 other people. We started our day buying 200 sandwiches and 200 gatorades. Then we split into two teams and would drive around the island chasing the firefighters and offering them sandwiches and gatorade, which they appreciated, but were not totally necessary as they were properly equipped already. Usually we couldn't find enough fire fighters to give the sandwiches to so we found other community centers to donate to. This morning adventure ended around noon, and then we had the day to ourselves. There are two specific meals I remember. One of them was the greatest meal I'd ever had and the other one gave me violent food poisoning. This was also the host of the nicest water I've ever swam in.