Amid the challenges, we feel like one family

I am taking time off from my work here in Palo, Leyte.  I am sharing my experience as a neophyte soldier sent to Leyte for relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”  The extent of destruction is unbelievable. As one media man described his own experience, “There is no waking up from the nightmare.”

But what is good is that here in Leyte, amid all the work and challenges, we all feel like one family—victims, soldiers, policemen, volunteers, local officials, foreigners—because we share the same mission and we feel fulfilled.

Life is hard, with each day a challenge not only to the body and the spirit but also to every one’s senses. But we can cope and work even beyond physical limitation, and as the government promised, we soldiers will work together and will continue to help not only in relief efforts but in rebuilding the shattered provinces.

To my fellow soldiers here and out there in different places in the country: Carry on and keep up the good work!

—PFC JONEL I ABUAN, PA,

abuanjonel359@yahoo.com