Former Sunnyvale mayor and city council member Otto Lee was called up as a Navy reserve officer back in January to serve in Iraq for the Army, and looks like he’s had quite an adventure from his blog. After serving six months in Baghdad, Otto is back in the United States for a short fifteen days for rest and relaxation to see his wife and two young daughters. He was interviewed this past week by the Bay Area’s local ABC7 News about his time in Iraq and his time with his family during his leave.
Last Sunday, Otto was honored by Congressman Mike Honda (pictured) as well as the American Legion Cathay Post #384, the oldest Chinese American veterans group in the nation. “Commander Lee” is the first Chinese American public official who has been recalled to serve in a combat zone.
I got a chance to briefly chat with Otto after the ceremony while everyone was having lunch; Otto described how the “sand fog” with the sandstorms — how you could barely see three feet in front of you — as well as the 126 degree Fahrenheit Iraq summers. Otto’s primary job is to help figure out the logistics of getting all the stuff the United States sent over to Iraq. Otto says there are over 120,000 troops in Iraq and over 130,000 contractors — and by the end of next summer, that figure needs to be down to 50,000 troops.
Sometimes we all really need to appreciate the hard work in harms way that our fellow Americans are making on our behalf — whenever I think I have things tough, I often think of Otto and the sacrifices he and his family are making, with Otto working those long hours and being away from his family. He has said several times that he’s just impressed with the sacrifices all of the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are making. Otto is back to Iraq soon to serve out his next six months.
