If you read Michael Yon’s blog anytime in 2005, when he was embedded with the troops in Mosul, then you remember the stories of Walter Gaya.
We had the honor of speaking with Walter during our 2005 Christmas Salute to the Troops. and Their Families
A Piece Of Cake
A story of Combat, Cakes, and Love
Running a bakery is time consuming. In the beginning, Walt�??s schedule was staggering. He woke up and arrived at the Corina Bakery at about 3:45 a.m., and prepared for Jessica to open while she took care of the kids. By 6:00 a.m., Walt was at the Army on Fort Lewis doing physical training, and when he left Army duty at about 4 p.m., he worked at the Bakery until about 6 p.m., when he�??d be off to college photography classes in pursuit of his dream: to become a photojournalist.
I asked Walt about all these transitions�?? from immigrant to American, from soldier to baker, from rolling out into combat, to tucking the kids in and reading bedtime stories. He replied:
Readjustment to everyday life has not happened yet. I managed to keep myself busy mentally from the moment I got back. I started the business with Jess and maintained myself constantly occupied and have more plans ahead. Maybe sometime down the road I will go somewhere and truly decompress and reflect on what transpired in my life this past year, until then there is no rest for the wicked.
One thing is certain: the Gaya�??s know that dreams are more likely to thrive when a family is willing to work hard, and to work smart.
Read the whole article.