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Ernest Alfante, a fourth-year political science student, recently returned home after serving as

For most students, the current war in Iraq is a distant reality composed of media images. But for Ernest Alfante, who registered for his spring quarter classes from Kuwait, the war was an everyday part of his life.

Alfante, an Army Reserve member since he was 17, served a yearlong term as a medic in the 437th Medical Company Ground Ambulance Unit that was deployed to the Persian Gulf on Feb. 23, 2003. Alfante is also a fourth-year political science student at UCLA.

Alfante was gearing up to finish his education when he received the phone call that activated his military service.

“Life couldn’t get any better, and I was a little pissed that they called because it was inconvenient,” he said. “But ... you have a duty to go.”

Maria Alfante, Ernest’s mother, said “it was hell” for the family when they found out he would be leaving for active duty.

“It was even made more devastating for us because we just came back from a family vacation. He found himself an apartment and got it all set up,” she said.

“Everything had to be reversed.”

Alfante said as a political science student he was apprehensive about the war on an ideological level.

“I had a lot of doubts about what Bush was wanting to do, it being close to an election. I was questioning the motivations,” he said.

“But the good thing about being a medic is the job you do requires no politics at all. If someone gets shot, whoever it is, Iraqi, American, civilian, you’re there to help, and instantly politics are out the window.”

Alfante was stationed in Iraq for about 60 days, beginning from the onset of the war on March 19, 2004. He helped run the ground ambulance, taking those in need of assistance to receive medical care.

Alfante’s most vivid memories of Iraq was seeing wounded Iraqi children that had been caught between the fighting.

Alfante recalls seeing children hurt and hearing them cry, and how they reminded him of his 4-year-old brother. Those were the times that the tears would come, he said.

“That’s what I see. Not everyone there would say they saw that, but that’s my field of work.”

While in Iraq, Alfante formed a great respect for the Iraqi people. Iraqis in the northern part of the country around Fallujah and Baghdad were not very receptive to the Americans, and many of the attacks against Americans occur in that region. But Alfante said Iraqis in the south, where he was stationed, were welcoming to the troops and made him feel like he was there to help.

“All these people want is their own freedom,” he said.

“They are very religious, they have great morals, they know what’s important to them.”

While in Iraq, communication between Alfante and his family was scarce. Back home, his relatives worried.

“We didn’t hear from him. It was terrible. Communication was rare. The next time I heard from him was Mother’s Day, and it was a mixed feeling. There was happiness to hear from him, but there was also concern for him,” said Maria.

Sophia Nguyen, a fourth-year political science student and Alfante’s close friend, kept up a letter correspondence with him during his absence.

“Ernie’s always extremely positive. He never gave me the impression that he was scared, but it was his duty. His letters were always positive, telling me his day-to-day routine,” said Nguyen.

After leaving Iraq around mid-May, Alfante returned to Kuwait, where he waited to hear if he would be able to return home.

“You see people left and right going home. And you’re wondering, when is it my turn?” he said.

Alfante was informed that he would not leave Kuwait until February 2004. The days spent in Kuwait became tedious, and he spent most of his time doing monotonous logistical work.

One important factor that kept him motivated was mail he received from family and friends.

“Mail is the most important motivating factor of every day. I can’t even explain. You’re sweaty, it’s 130 degrees and you haven’t showered in two weeks, everything sucks, you’re hungry, and you’re standing around for the mail call. To get that letter from your loved one, my God, you would pay $100 a day,” Alfante said.

Alfante returned to the United States about eight weeks ago, eager to resume his civilian life and continue his education at UCLA.

“A lot of the soldiers in his unit wanted to take it easy when they came back, but he was ready to dive head on and continue with his life,” Maria said.

As he looks forward to finishing his education and pursuing a career, Alfante says the time he spent in Iraq has not changed him that much.

“I’d like to say I’m still the same guy. I myself, I’m not different. It’s an experience to look back on, and I definitely do not regret it,” he said.