Region I, Field Operations Administration Parole Agent Anitra Harris, assigned to the PDD Parole Office at Lawton Place in Detroit, has been in the U. S. Army Reserve for over 23 years. On August 6, 2004, Agent Harris left home to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 317th Quarter Master Battalion. After receiving training at Ft. Riley, Kansas, PO Harris flew to Kuwait on October 17, 2004. Her mission was to set up the Headquarters (Command Cell) of the largest desert camp in Kuwait, Camp Buehring. Camp Buehring is located in Northern Kuwait, less than 20 miles from the Iraq border.

Agent Harris’ assignment was to run the camp like city hall runs a city. Her responsibility was to coordinate and supply all the needs of all of the soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines and civilians who either lived, worked, visited or passed through the camp.

Agent Harris had as many as 13 soldiers under her immediate supervision. She went to Kuwait as Sergeant First Class (SFC/E-7). While there, she was promoted to Master Sergeant (MSG/E-8) and for over two weeks, was appointed as the acting Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the camp.

The temperature in Kuwait ranged from the low 60 F, which the soldiers considered freezing, to 132 F. The average temperature was between 100 and 120 F. Of the 355 days Agent Harris was in Kuwait, it rained only four times. However, 30 minutes of steady rain was enough to cause the camp many problems with flooding.

While in Kuwait, Agent Harris received extensive support from her co-workers at the Lawton Place office. They sent e-mails, phone cards and a Christmas basket.

"The best gift I received from my co-workers was a DVD that contained the video recording of the 2004 office Christmas party and personal messages from many friends," said Agent Harris. "I laughed and cried at the same time."

Upon her return to work on November 9, 2005, Agent Harris presented the office with an American flag, which had flown over Camp Buehring on July 4, 2004, along with a certificate signed by the 317th Commander and Command Sergeant Major, thanking the office for all the support shown to our soldiers.

Michigan Department of Corrections FYI 010506