When Kunsan Comes Full Circle

 Yesterday I had an unexpected reminder of Kunsan. I'll go out on a Lim and tell you about Davann. Davann was a young troop who arrived at Kunsan in May 2005, just as I had one foot out the door. I was already counting down the days of when I would PCS in July, when she arrived. Davann was cute and spunky, but you could also tell that she came from a pampered background before joining the military. Growing up in Southern California, her parents were affluent Asian-Americans. I specifically remember her talking about her mom buying her some high-end purse at the time, and having it shipped to her (or something of the sort). I was her supervisor, but only for a very short while.

Fast-forward to yesterday. She comes in to where I work, wanting to place an order. At first I didn't recognize her, and she didn't recognize me, but as the conversation progressed, I became aware of who she was. Her speech mannerisms hadn't changed, and I knew that she had been married, through people within the military community. I saw her name on her uniform, and that's when I was able to put 2 + 2 together. 

"Were you stationed at Kunsan" I asked her.

"Yes, but that was years ago...2005" she replied

"I thought so - I was your supervisor for brief moment." I concluded.

"I didn't recognize you. You look so different" she said.

"Time and age will do that to you. I came here after Korea and have been here ever since. I retired from the Air Force 10 years ago."

"So you must like it here" she asked.

"It's not too bad...I see that you made it further in the military than I did" (looking at her rank) "I kind of got salty towards the end there" I finished.

I then told her to email me with the specifics of her order and that someone would follow up with her with a price quote. I wished her a nice day and went about my business.

Davann and I weren't close the way Melanie and I were close. I remember Melanie telling me back then that Davann would be someone who could really benefit from my guidance, as she was seemingly full of herself and behaved like the world was her oyster. "I wasn't sent for her, I was sent here for you" I said. Hearing this gave Melanie chills, confirming what we both knew. When I speak truth, it's sobering.

For the rest of the day I was somewhat bothered by seeing Davann. I didn't know how to take this encounter, nor what to think of it. I casually told two different coworkers about what had just happened, but the twist to it all came when I went back to my desk to continue working. A different coworker had just prepared her lunch in the microwave, and it was a kimchi-flavored meal. The smell was undeniable, as I've become quite astute at identifying that odor, after spending 5 years of my life in that part of the world. Insult to a very old injury.

So the whole Kunsan experience has come full circle in my life, in a way that I least expect it. Perhaps I can reach out to Davann and do lunch with her sometime, and ask how her experience was there, after I left. Part of me wants to share my story as well as the events that took place between me and Melanie, but she may not understand or even really care. Granted, it's been 17 years, and she's grown up and matured since then, and I could give her the benefit of the doubt...test the waters so to speak. I think that it's important on some level for me to speak with someone who has been through a place like that, who just might help bring me closure of sorts. It's a serious long-shot but it just might be worth it. I'll try reaching out to her perhaps in a week or two, and if she's willing to hear me out, then it will be a form of therapy that's priceless.

I will forever hate Kunsan.