Benjamin – David & LaReita Berky

Sept 28, 2025 (Sun) – Liberia Day 5 – church in Monrovia

Ammon:

ray a loh, wen to chu. Noh a loh o peopo, no prima, plae dah pho.

[Ammon is speaking in Liberian English. Continue reading on how to interpret this.]

LaReita:

I woke up and read a text in my sibling group chat. President Nelson has graduated and returned home! Oh, what a dear man! Whenever I would feel lonely for my dad, I would listen to a talk by Pres Nelson, and my heart would be assuaged. Dad and Pres Nelson LOVED people, and were so optimistic about life! I really am going to miss our dear prophet!

We woke up to HEAVY rain – cats, dogs and elephants rain, which continued non-stop for 2 hours. Good thing it happened today, and not yesterday on our trip to Brewerville. I found online an 11:30am church time. One of our taxi drivers took us (only a 5 minute drive). We got there quite early, but spent time greeting others (especially the missionaries), and being greeted warmly by others. One tall, large, white missionary approached me (from England), but was speaking in Liberian English which caught me by surprise! We met 4 other Utah-based missionaries. One of them only 1 week into the mission. He said he was excited to come to an English-speaking mission, but this was not English! He hasn’t been able to understand a word!

Liberian English (or pigeon English) is spoken through the back of the throat/nose, and the last consonant of a word is dropped. Also, speaking the end of a sentence goes up, not down.

The branch we attended usually has 100 in attendance, but there were only 20 there for sacrament meeting due to the cat, dog & elephant rain. No Primary today for Ammon. He sat with dad in Elder’s Quorum, while I went to the Relief Society room with one other sister, Theresa. She has been a member for 3 years, and said, “nothee kee me froh chur”. [Say it out loud to yourself – this is Liberian English.] I taught her a little bit about what happens now in church leadership since President Nelson passed away today. My accents today were a mix of American, Ghana, and Liberian. She was probably so confused and most of the time she nodded while I ‘spoke’.

I asked her some questions. She is 56, and has 5 children. Her first-born is 42. Yup you read that right. Her first child was when she was a child herself, at age 14. That’s pretty ‘normal’ here. A child born in 1983, and a 2^nd child in 1987 – just before the start of the 1989 conflict/war. I can’t imagine trying to keep myself and my children safe/alive during that vicious war. No wonder she says that she never misses church. I’d also be thankful to God every day for my life and my children’s lives.

We came back to our apartment. Dave read & took a nap. Ammon worked on building a (online) plane with engineering principles. I typed up the last 2 days, made contacts for the next 2 days, and rehydrated one of the split-pea soup packages we brought. One of Ammon’s complaints from our July 2024 Ghana trip was “I was starving the whole time.” Yeah, spicy Ghana food is hard for a kid. Before we left the USA, I packed one side Ammon’s suitcase with dried soups, freeze-dried meals, and small packaged snacks. We have used them all up over the course of our Ghana and Liberia days.

It has been a good day of rest for us. Definitely needed.

September 4, 2025 – Ft Jackson: 2nd Battalion, 13th Regiment Graduation Day

Ammon:

We woke up and then drove back to Fort Jackson. Watched Sam graduate from being a Trainee to a Soldier. Then went to a southern food place called Lizard’s Thicket. After eating we dropped off James, Ben, & Jacob at the airport. Then me and Sam went a Trampoline park. Then dropped off Sam at the base. Stupid car A.I. decides to go straight into a traffic jam to get out of the base. But we are smarter. Started the drive to Washington DC and stopped after 2.5 hours to sleep for the night.

LaReita:

Since Sam was Soldier of the Cycle for B Company, we got VIP seats in the middle section. We sat behind all the base leadership. (It also meant we didn’t have to get up at 5am to leave, get in line, to get a decent seat in the stands!) When they presented the awards for the Soldier of the Cycle – B company, I wondered how his name would be pronounced. Sure enough, “Berkeley” received the award. 🙂 All of us “Berkeley’s” in the stands glanced at each other and smiled. At the end of the graduation ceremony, the families of the awardees were invited to meet with the Commanding General of the Base – General Hood. His short speech also touched on the importance of reaching out to their fellow soldiers if they, or anyone else, was having suicidal thoughts. “You are now part of a big family who cares about you. We are a team, and we work together as a team to leave no soldier behind.” A grateful, emotional moment for me as a mother, and therapist.

Interesting to note that of the five Soldiers of the Cycle, two of them were members of the church. When I was speaking with Military Relations missionary couple, they said it’s really quite common for one member of the church to be a Soldier of the Cycle. A member of the church (or any church) who knows/shows respect and demonstrates leadership (which includes following rules), makes military life easier for themselves and others.

We had a delightful 3 hour lunch and gab with 2 of Sam’s battle buddies (Hidalgo and Cavazos) and their parents. Then we dropped off brothers (James, Ben, Jacob) at the Columbia, SC airport. Me, Dave, Sam and Ammon went to a trampoline park for just an hour before Sam needed to be back on base. It was fun to see big brother Sam having fun with little brother Ammon. Put them together and what have you got? Sammon!

Next installment: Sept 5-7 America history

* more about the points game if interested:

The main idea is ‘Go where and when the deals are’. This was through a particular travel group. About 6 months ago I upped the game and bought into their “Lounge” to learn more. I was spending about 3-4 hours a day learning and researching about traveling on cash (Rule 1) and points (Rule 2), and how to travel well, cheaply, AND wisely. Clarifying: When I say ‘cash’ that means purchasing the ticket instead of redeeming your credit card points.

Pictures on Google

September 3, 2025 – Ft Jackson (Columbia, SC) – Family Day – LaReita’s 50th Birthday

Ammon’s re-telling (and typing!)

We started driving to the base which was only 10 minutes away. We got there in the overcrowded parking (which we parked on the grass), walked over to the covered stands and sat down. The companies were Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, & Echo. (200 in each company.) Sam was Soldier of the Cycle for Bravo, and we saw him dressed up as a revolutionary war soldier. They showed all of the types of uniforms over the years. Then the drill instructors threw smoke grenades and all 1,000 soldiers walked out of the trees. (Video here)

We got Sam and went bowling. After that we went to the military museum, and saw all of the historic vehicles. Then we went to a Church luncheon. Dad got a good nap sleeping under the pews re-living his childhood. Drove around the base, got a case of water and went to the PX, which was the grocery store. Then we went to the park and played Presidents. We took him back to his barracks and listened to his Battle Buddies stories: (videos)

Berky’s Squared Away Berky in lunch line Y Squat punishment

Sam stayed at base, and we went to a fancy restaurant, called The Hollow. Very good. We got some dessert and celebrated moms 50th birthday. The brothers also surprised her with a box of Godiva chocolate. Went back to the hotel and slept.

LaReita:

It was exciting to see Sam come out in Revolutionary War costume leading out the other soldiers of the past. Major emotions welled up when the smoke bombs were thrown, the field was fully covered in smoke, the music came on, and the companies marched in time through the smoke. It was like watching a movie, but in real time and real life. Powerful. I am truly grateful for our men and women who volunteer to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. This was only 1,000 soldiers and it was a lot of emotion for me. When I think about Helaman’s 2,000 Stripling Warriors, I am truly astounded and overcome with many emotions. Hearing them repeat the soldier’s creed was powerful.

The Family Day program was 30 minutes. The families were then invited to go out on the field and “tap out” your soldier. All the soldiers stood at attention, looking straight ahead while family members weaved in and out of their soldier’s company of 200. I found Hidalgo (Sam’s best friend battle buddy) before I found Sam, but I couldn’t tap him out. As I was weaving through Bravo Company, there were a few at-attention-soldiers with tears in their eyes, waiting patiently for their family to arrive. My heart went out to those soldiers who probably didn’t have family coming today, or even for graduation day, because they don’t have a family, or a supportive family. It is so hard for me to imagine that loneliness and lack of support in doing something as hard as 8 weeks of Basic Combat Training.

I was the last one to get to Sam, and gave him such a big long hug! Tender-hearted Sam was happy-crying. He loved showing us around base. It was great to see how many battle-buddies came up to him to chat. At the church luncheon, an older soldier (50’s) sat with us who is in the Chaplain Corps. He made a plug for joining because they are always in need of Chaplains. I did say at the table that Sam would be a really good Chaplain – he’s kindhearted, a good listener, and friendly. Sam’s friend, Hidalgo (a return missionary), said that the therapist tips I mailed to Sam really helped Sam to interact with one particular difficult trainee in their company.

(Though Sam is currently signed up to be horizontal construction – all the heavy operating equipment, CATs, bulldozers, etc)

Regarding being chosen as Soldier of the Cycle for B-company:

Sam says, “it’s not that hard to be a good soldier. Just follow the instructions.” I think being in a High School marching band also helped him learn discipline (and how to march in time – some of his battle buddies struggled with marching in time). One of the Drill Sargeant’s said, “Berky’s my secret weapon.”

Sam mentioned that fat camp (official term: ARMS 2.0) was harder than Basic Combat Training (BCT). At fat camp they had full-on workouts 3x/day. At BCT it was only once a day, but sometimes there were also ruck marches (marching with full military packs). Sam said he thought BCT would be harder. He later learned that other companies were doing really hard stuff because they could handle it. The trainees in his company were disorganized and undisciplined, so company B drill sargeants couldn’t do the more ‘fun/hard’ soldier stuff. With that perspective of who was in B company, it was easy for a Utah marching band kid to be Soldier of the Cycle for B Company!

It really was a great 50th birthday to experience this parenting pay-off. I also was happy that my boys surprised me with a box of Godiva chocolate. The best!

Photos on Google

September 2, 2025 SLC to Charlotte, NC, then to Columbia, SC

Hello family!

Dave, Ammon and I are on a World School adventure for September.

Backstory: A year ago I began learning about travel-hacking: strategizing your expenses through the right credit cards and turning those points into ‘free’ travel. *(see more at the end if you’re curious)

I was starting to become concerned that I was spending too much time on this and was becoming obsessed. While vacuuming at the temple late one night, pondering why I was obsessing about this, a clear thought came, “You are not obsessing. You are being driven.” Well then. Interesting. A couple of weeks later while weeding in my garden, still concerned I was obsessing, and why I was being ‘driven’, another clear thought, “You have a very small window.”

Ok then. I am being driven, and have a small window to do some traveling. Let’s go. (We did lots of summer trips, including into the first week of Ammon’s ‘world school’ by going to Alaska.)

A few months ago I had dreamed/planned that in September we would do an Africa trip. When we learned that Sam’s Basic Combat Training graduation would be at the beginning of September, I began planning to combine everything into a huge homeschool / world school month for Ammon. I would utilize my new knowledge of traveling.

You can read the daily summary by Ammon, and if you want to read my pontification on the day.

Mostly this is here to keep me and Ammon accountable in doing our homework and journal keeping for this trip!

September 2, 2025 SLC to Charlotte, NC, then to Columbia, SC

We flew into Charlotte NC, got our rental car, started driving down to Columbia, South Carolina. Fort Jackson is in Columbia SC. We stopped at a trucker-stop greasy-spoon “Tiffany’s Diner” with southern food. Yum. We stayed at the LaQuinta Inn, in Columbia SC. (LaReita at the LaQuinta – haha.)