Nicolas Nibikora

From Genocide to War on Terror: Why the U.s. Navy? Nicolas Nibikora

I had a dream that one day I would become a President of Burundi-my native country. The civil war between Hutus and Tutsis changed my vision and ambition. At my early age, my father was poisoned to death, and not only did I suffer from his absence in my life, but his death is in my dreams every night. With the little time I spent with him, I realized that he was a man who cared about his family and about others. In the village, everyone loved and respected him. I wanted to be like him and reach the goals he could not reach. I saw myself becoming the Burundian president upon finishing my studies or living in a foreign country. Somehow, I thought of the United States of America. I had those feelings of destiny, but I did not know exactly where to biggin and end. I was a child; I thought that going to the United States of America was as simple as crossing our streets. In 2000, one of my dreams came true and moved to the United States of America. After going through many obstacles, I was able to overcome them and thank God, of who I am today. I saw many innocent people die like animals and corrupted governments who tortured their own citizens. Every person I engage in conversation asks me where I come from; and no one knows where Burundi is. The other questions are how and why am I in the United States. More importantly, when I say that I was/am in the US military, people are surprised and want to know why did I join the US military. The following story is about me, from the little village in Burundi, located in the middle of nowhere, to the US military.