2008 Woodie Awards
One soldier's view of the supposed volatility in the Middle East
Christine Catarino
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Features
Sometimes media-saturated programming offers a one-sided perspective on the civilization- or lack thereof- that constitutes the Middle East, the area with which America is presently most concerned.
However, Kenneth Hochsprung, U.S. Navy rescue swimmer, offers his observations of the volatile area, and provides evidence that the Middle East is not completely detached from modern society. His latest country of deployment offers no threat to the withstanding of the civilized world. This world, seen through Hochsprung's eyes, seems to embody the precise essence of a truly civilized existence.
The United Arab Emirates, or the U.A.E., is comprised of seven different federations. These include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah.
Hochsprung described the United Arab Emirates, his combat unit's most recent place of deployment, as a beautiful peninsula that protrudes into the Persian Gulf.
"If you can imagine four city blocks of skyscrapers in the middle of the desert then that's what the main city here, Dubai, looks like," Hochsprung said.
The United Arab Emirates may be the crown jewel of the Middle East. Their economy flourishes because of their claim to the most precious natural resource of the region - oil.
The area is also rich in diversity, according to Hochsprung. Europeans, Indians, Asians, and Muslims are among the slew of nationalities that inhabit the United Arab Emirate region. Moreover, Hochsprung described the legion's interactions as nothing less than affable and relaxed - the different sects interact with ease.
Hochsprung, who is familiar with Afghanistan and Iraq terrain, insists the U.A.E is beautifully and distinctly different from most of the disturbed, battered, and warring Middle East.
"It's a nice place - basically the only place I know of in the Middle East where I would actually vacation," Hochsprung said. "It was nice to be in a place where so many different people get along, and for the most part spend their day shopping, instead of shooting each other."
However, Kenneth Hochsprung, U.S. Navy rescue swimmer, offers his observations of the volatile area, and provides evidence that the Middle East is not completely detached from modern society. His latest country of deployment offers no threat to the withstanding of the civilized world. This world, seen through Hochsprung's eyes, seems to embody the precise essence of a truly civilized existence.
The United Arab Emirates, or the U.A.E., is comprised of seven different federations. These include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah.
Hochsprung described the United Arab Emirates, his combat unit's most recent place of deployment, as a beautiful peninsula that protrudes into the Persian Gulf.
"If you can imagine four city blocks of skyscrapers in the middle of the desert then that's what the main city here, Dubai, looks like," Hochsprung said.
The United Arab Emirates may be the crown jewel of the Middle East. Their economy flourishes because of their claim to the most precious natural resource of the region - oil.
The area is also rich in diversity, according to Hochsprung. Europeans, Indians, Asians, and Muslims are among the slew of nationalities that inhabit the United Arab Emirate region. Moreover, Hochsprung described the legion's interactions as nothing less than affable and relaxed - the different sects interact with ease.
Hochsprung, who is familiar with Afghanistan and Iraq terrain, insists the U.A.E is beautifully and distinctly different from most of the disturbed, battered, and warring Middle East.
"It's a nice place - basically the only place I know of in the Middle East where I would actually vacation," Hochsprung said. "It was nice to be in a place where so many different people get along, and for the most part spend their day shopping, instead of shooting each other."