March 24, 2003
by Simit Shah
Spring practice is in full swing for the Georgia Tech football team, but amid the drills and scrimmages, two Yellow Jackets often find their thoughts wandering half a world away where their family members are part of the U.S. military force battling Iraq.
Defensive tackle Alfred Malone and quarterback Brian Camp both have older brothers serving as members of the coalition troops in the Persian Gulf. Malone’s brother Clayton is a Marine serving along the front lines, and Camp’s brother Jim is an Air National Guard pilot flying refueling missions out of Bahrain.
Malone has had very little contact with his brother, who is older by 23 months. He shipped out of his San Diego base last month, and the Malone family has gotten no word from him except for a postcard. The last time the two brothers were together was for the Silicon Valley Bowl in December.
“I worry about him, because you just don’t know,” said Malone, a junior from Frisco City, Alabama. “It gives me something to think about. My mind wanders to him a lot of times.”
Malone’s father served in Vietnam, and then later was called into action as a reservist in the first Gulf War. Sister Myrtle’s reserve unit was also shipped out to the region 12 years ago.
“When my dad and sister went to Saudi Arabia for the first war, I was only nine years old,” recalled Malone. “At that age, you don’t really have the sense to worry. It’s a little different this time around.”
While Malone’s brother has been a full-time Marine for five years, Jim Camp’s reserve unit was summoned just last Monday to head out to the Gulf. His mission is to fly a KC-135 tanker that refuels fighter jets in midair. During the Afghanistan conflict last year, he performed the same task out of Turkey.
Though 14 years younger, Brian Camp has a tight relationship with his brother, who is the oldest of the five Camp children and lives in Columbus, Ohio.
“We’re really close,” he said. “We don’t get to see each other a whole lot, but we talk on the phone all the time. He’s always giving me updates on his kids.”
Camp and his brother have been able to communicate regularly via email, but that’s done little to ease the younger Camp’s concern. He fears not only the inherent danger of a war, but also possible terrorist attacks on bases in the region.
“I’m very worried about him,” said Camp, who is entering his senior season. “When something like that’s going on, you have to worry. I’m also worried about the Marines, the guys right there on the front lines. I’ve got friends doing that. It’s a tough situation for everyone.”
Like Malone, Camp’s family has had multiple members in the military. His father also served in Vietnam and his grandfathers in World War II.
“I’ve grown up around it,” Camp explained. “It’s not something that you are accustomed to, but you learn to adjust. You just try to think good thoughts.”
“My mom worries a lot, but my dad and sister understand what it’s all about,” added Malone.
The commencement of hostilities last week has kept the two glued to television and online reports from the region. Both admit that focusing on school or football practice has been difficult in recent days.
“At practice, I’ll see plane fly over, and I’ll be like, ‘I wonder what’s going on over there?’ You try not to think about it, but it’s pretty tough,” Camp said.
“[Clayton’s] birthday was yesterday, so I wrote him a letter,” said Malone. “If I can get one back, that will give me a lot more confidence. I’d feel a lot better.”
Both players expressed tremendous respect and pride for their siblings’ roles in the conflict. It’s been difficult on their families, but they understand the importance of the job at hand.
“He’s always been the big brother that protected us when we were little kids,” remarked Camp. “Now I guess he’s doing the same thing over there for our country.”
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