Two Libby natives return from military training in Romania

Two recent Libby High School graduates spent three weeks in Romania this summer, but not on vacation.

Miguel Hernandez, 19, and Tucker Zimmerman, 19, are enlisted in the Army National Guard and recently came back from their annual military exercise with the Exercise Saber Guardian.

Both of them had already finished their boot-camp training prior to the exercise by enlisting as high school students in 2014. Hernandez enlisted in November and Zimmerman enlisted in February of 2014.

Hernandez worked as a supply specialist during the mission, and Zimmerman got his wish when he was appointed in infantry.

Each day, the two would work from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Through the entire trip, they were given one day off, in which they explored Romanian cities such as Rozov, Sibiu and Brasov, where they visited Bran Castle, commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle.” Both Hernandez and Zimmerman said they enjoyed Romania and the training exercise, but did not like the humidity or giant spiders everywhere they went.

“It was hot like it is here, but it doesn’t get as humid here,” Zimmerman said that they would go through three two-liter jugs of water per day.

Zimmerman’s mother, Suzie Bourcier said after her son came home, “I’m very proud of him, but I worry.”

Exercise Saber Guardian was held July 27 through Aug. 7, 2016 at the Romanian Land Force Combat Training Center in Cincu, Romania. According to the United States Army Europe website, around 2,700 personnel from 11 nations participated this year. Zimmerman said that the exercise exists to build rapport with the Romanians.

This year, Zimmerman plans on attending Flathead Community College and said he plans on just studying General Studies for now, but is thinking about going into welding and signing up for active duty. Hernandez is attending the University of Montana in the fall and plans to study wildlife biology.

Reporter Bethany Rolfson may be reached at 293-4124 or by email at Reporter@TheWesternNews.com.