Hans Larson has a lot on his plate just doing his normal job for the U.S. forces that are keeping terrorists out of a wide swath of eastern Africa.
During the workday, he dispenses, collects and orders electronic equipment and radios for about 1,500 U.S. service members who are doing their part for anti-terrorism operations based in Djibouti.
In the evenings and weekends, U.S. Marine Reserve Cpl. Larson of Bothell does a little more.
The 23-year-old University of Washington student volunteers in various orphanages in the Djibouti city area. He plays sports with children, and even has taught a toddler how to walk and eat with a spoon.
“The reason why we are in this area is it used to be a hotbed for terrorism,” Larson said in a telephone interview arranged through the military central command in the area.
Four branches of the U.S. military and forces from other countries are there to not only keep on the lookout for terrorist cells, but also to get involved in public works projects such as building clinics, schools and bridges.
The military also digs water wells in this arid and hot land strategically located at the mouth of the Red Sea on the Gulf of Aden. Besides Djibouti, the coalition forces operate in Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and other nearby nations.
“It’s a combat zone, and we’re always on the lookout for terrorist groups,” Larson said, but his unit has not seen combat since he arrived in Djibouti in August.
The primary mission is to “win the hearts and minds” of the people, teaching them that “the United States is not a warmonger,” Larson said.
Larson, who is about two quarters shy of getting a degree in law, justice and society, is not in Djibouti by accident. He volunteered, partly because he always has been interested in that part of the world. He also has studied Arabic in school and is polishing those skills with the children he visits. The children are amazed to find an American with a basic knowledge of Arabic.
His father, Rick Larson, said he likes what his son is doing, but acknowledges there are always risks in that part of the world.
“We pray for his safety when he’s off base,” Rick Larson said. “We’re glad the Marines do look out for trouble spots in the area. He knows what to be careful of when he goes out.”
The Larsons are former south Everett residents who moved to Canyon Park to be closer to Rick Larson’s work in Bellevue as an electrical engineer.
The Marine’s mother, Janet Larson, works in a Lynnwood picture-framing shop. She said she’s also proud of her son’s work.
“I think it’s part of a positive outreach to the people of Africa so they see that affluent Americans care about their conditions. There are so many needs there,” she said.
Hans Larson already has extended his six-month stay for another four months. He is scheduled to come home in late spring. It may not be his last trip to eastern Africa.
He said he would like to return when he’s finished with his military reserve obligation in 2007. Perhaps he’ll work for a private relief group there, he said.
He said he gets as much out of his volunteer work as the kids get from him.
“They are such great people to hang out with,” Larson said. “It makes me think about what’s really important in life, too. You really don’t need a lot of material possessions. The best way we can help out here is by helping them with their needs.”
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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