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Public Employee Press
Were YOU
there?
Did you or a family member serve in Iraq? PEP wants to hear your
story.
Please call us at 212-815-1520.
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John Nicotra, Local 2627
Back from Iraq
By JANE LaTOUR
In New York City, Local 2627 Shop Steward John Nicotra works in Computer
Operations for the Human Resources Administration. In another world, as
Master Sergeant Nicotra of the Air National Guards 177th Fighter
Wing, he makes life easier for troops who face death every day.
The jets that flew over the city five minutes after the Trade Center
went down were from the 177th, explained Mr. Nicotra, who has served
in the Navy, Seabees and the Naval Reserve. On Feb. 20, he was called
to active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His unit joined the 447th Air
Expeditionary Unit, made up of ANG and active duty troops.
A Vietnam-era vet, Mr. Nicotra served in a combat zone for the first time
this year, at the age of 56. He worked in the vast support force that
kept the combat army in the field. He set up bases, hauled supplies and
fed troops. In two separate locations, he supervised the dining room and
directed recreation services.
For troops far from home, recreation
is essential to morale. Sgt. Nicotra set up film showings, card tournaments,
aerobics and a book swap. Lots of soldiers volunteered when we had
Country Music Night and a combination Hip Hop/Latino Music Night,
he said.
The sergeant also saw to the personal
computer and telephone links to home a critical connection for
keeping up morale. The desert was a constant foe. He survived the regions
worst sandstorm in 16 years. It was unbelievable. It got into everything.
It was uncomfortable, but you had to find ways to work in it, he
observed. And sometimes you just had to stop.
Heat was another enemy. While he was stationed at the Baghdad Airport
in May and June, the temperature hit 120 degrees. Thats as
high as our thermometers went, he noted.
Master Sgt. Nicotra has a light side,
too. After a heartburn attack, he wrote TV chef Emeril Lagasse: Please
send your favorite jambalaya recipe to the Defense Dept. This MRE (meals
ready to eat, also known as meals rejected by everyone) was fair at best.
He signed it, Your fan in the desert.
John Nicotra brought home lots of
photographs and too many searing memories. The troops were very
young. Id see them in the dining room and put my kids faces
on them, said the father of three.
While we had our names on our coats, the only thing on their uniforms
was their blood type no I.D. at all. These were the troops who
went out on the missions every night.
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