ST LOUIS, MO (KSDK) – Saturday night on the University City Loop, a homecoming party at the restaurant known as Red Sea had a distinctly international flavor. The red, white, and blue sat silently next to the green, yellow, and red…colors on the flag of Ethiopia.
Sgt. Meron Aymiro, 24, is a U.S. Army Transportation Coordinator and Radio Transmission Operator, and she just completed her second tour of duty, in Iraq.
Sgt. Aymiro says she rarely had an opportunity to work with the Iraqi people. Still, her name and her ethnicity were occasionally a factor. “They had a lot of Indians, people from Sri Lanka, third country nations, and like they kind of… what’s the word?”
Sgt. Aymiro was asked if people related to her, differently than other soldiers. “Yeah,” she said, “They react to me, differently. They see me smile, and I figured they think I’m from the same country as them.”
So was that helpful?
“That would help, they were more friendly and they want to talk more.”
Gedlu Metaferia is executive director of AMAAM, the African Mutual Assistance Association of Missouri, a group that serves African refugees and immigrants.
Metaferia presented Aymiro with a special certificate.
“This certification of appreciation is given to Sergeant Meron Aymiro for unwavering commitment of sacrifice to the public good. New Americans also serve our military with dedication, defending their adopted country. Meron Aymiro had two tours of duty in Iraq, and she came successfully. And this homecoming encouraged our young people to participate, to give to this country, and to serve in honor, duty, and commitment, to sacrifice.”
Metaferia was asked what this occasion should mean to people who know no country, other than America.
He said, “They can understand when they see this, an Ethiopian-born young lady, who gave the commitment of sacrifice… that is an awesome story. The significance is that immigrants also are becoming citizens and permanent residents are serving our troops.”
Sgt. Aymiro’s decision to join the United States military was met with concern, initially, among her relatives from Ethiopia, and America.
Billie Smith is Aymiro’s grandmother.
“American grand-mother,” she points out. “Oh, my. Oh we worried so much about her. But we’re just thankful she’s made it through, and she’s home. She wanted to further her education, and this was a way to help.”
Alemayehu Assfaw is Aymiro’s father.
“I’m very proud,” said Assfaw. “Actually, the first time she asked me to join the Army, I was shocked. But, I said, ‘If you want to serve your country, go ahead.’ Because her momma, she’s an American.”
Kimberly Smith-Assfaw, Alemayehu’s wife, is Aymiro’s step-mother.
“Initially I was not happy, at all,” said Smith-Assfaw, “I was totally against it. I walked along with her until the very last minute, and that’s what she decided to do. So I supported it.”
An observer pointed-out that Sgt. Aymiro is an American, now.
“Correct. I mean, I still got my Ethiopian blood in me, and I’m still an American… a good combination.”