Ten years ago, Kerri Clemons rescued a lost journal from the bottom of a book sale bin and discovered it belonged to a Soldier on his first deployment to Afghanistan. Today, she returned it to its rightful owner.
Bryan Bailey, now a sergeant first class at Fort Benning, had forgotten about the journal he kept in 2003 and 2004 until one day a couple weeks ago when he arrived at work to find his inbox full of emails from people he didn’t know. They had seen a news story about the found journal on a Huntsville, Alabama, television newscast and had started their own hunts for the owner. Bryan watched the story online and recognized the book he’d written in a decade earlier. He called the story’s reporter, got Kerri’s contact information, and the two decided to meet at the National Infantry Museum, just outside the gates of Fort Benning.
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“I knew when I read it that this was a sensitive guy,” Kerri said. She recalled one entry where he wrote about Afghan children running along behind their truck, begging for water. She said stories like that made her feel connected to Bryan.
“I didn’t know him. I didn’t even know if he made it.
I didn’t want to have to give the journal to his mom,
but I was prepared to if I had to. I wanted to give it to him,” she said.
Kerri arrived with the book carefully wrapped in a big bow. Their meeting was easy. They hugged, and Kerri wrapped an arm in Bryan’s while reporters asked them questions. As Bryan flipped through the pages, the memories of a much younger, greener Soldier were awakened.
“It was my first year in the Army, my first deployment,” Bryan said.
“I just wanted to write down what I did for my family down the road.”
Bryan went on two more deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and later became a drill sergeant at Fort Benning. He’s now with the 1st Battalion, 46 Infantry Regiment, and is hoping to become a Pathfinder instructor.
Kerri said finally meeting Bryan meant a lot to her. “I tear up a lot. I mean, he’s been deployed three times. I can’t do that, but maybe I can do my small part to support him.”
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