By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
January 8, 2004

BANCROFT - A soldier stationed in Iraq recently returned to her hometown of Bancroft to talk to students about what she is doing in the Middle East.

Jennifer Gisch is stationed near Baghdad, Iraq with the 1133rd Transportation Company out of Mason City, Iowa as a supply truck driver. She takes supplies back and forth to different areas.

She recently came home for a visit with family and friends. Gisch commented that on April 10, 2003, her group "landed in country." She was there until coming home for a little while in December. She was able to spend time with her family for Christmas before she returned to Iraq on Dec. 26.

Gisch has seven brothers and sisters. Her sister Deanna is married, lives in Des Moines and teaches grade school. Her sister Amanda goes to college at DMACC with a major in nursing. Two of her siblings, Daniel and Alyssa, go to Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona. Ethan is a student at Seton Grade School in Algona. Miranda and Andrea go to St. John the Baptist School in Bancroft.

"They are pretty proud of me," said Gisch. "They support me really well. They write me letters and keep me up to date with things. I am really proud to be their big sister."

While Gisch was home, she went to St. John the Baptist School in Bancroft and Bishop Garrigan High School to talk to students and answer questions.

"At the school the little kids asked me many questions," said Gisch. "If I have seen any camels, what do the kids look like over there and how long will you be gone. Yes, I've seen camels, the kids are usually shoeless and ask for food and water often, and I should be coming home in April. Hopefully!"

She brought a box of things she aquired while she was in Iraq. She showed the students what was in the box along with pictures of Iraq. Gisch also wore her uniform to the schools so the students could see what she had to wear each day.

The adults asked her how the living conditions were, were they fed well and about showering.

"Yes we have showers at our camp but they're very cold. BRRRR! While we are driving on the road during mission, we usually go about week before showering," Gisch explained. "The food is a variety, it all depends on where we are, usually just the same old 'something on noodles.' On the road we eat MRE's or snacks that have been sent to us from home."

Being in a different country, the things that are normally available to people everyday in the United States are not as easy to come by over there. There are religious services available to those where she is stationed, but there isn't always time for people to attend.

"They have Masses here for us but it depends on what we're doing if we can go or not," said Gisch. "My platoon sergeant is pretty generous at getting us out of work so we can go. My friend Nichole and I go as often as we can. Keeping the faith is important around here. Of all the things that are hectic and stressful here, going to church eases everything and you feel 100 percent better."

The environment and weather that surround Gisch in Iraq are different than she would experience in Bancroft. She is currently staying in a warehouse, but she has stayed in tents otherwise.

"The weather right now is rainy and cooler," said Gisch. "It gets cooler during the night. The summer was really hot. It got up to 130s. It was unbearably hot."

As a driver, Gisch and other people who travel with her experience many different people as they drive from place to place.

"The people there are nice for the most part," said Gisch. "The little kids always ask us for food and water. We get some people that look the other way, or we will wave at them and they don't wave back. It is a mix of feelings."

Since Gisch is from the United States, she sees how good life is for people here. She commented that she is thankful to be living in the United States and acknowledged that "in a way we are kind of spoiled."