Grandparents step in as caregivers while mother on duty in Cuba

Dick Benoit

Thursday, June 9, 2005 | 8:26 a.m.

"An Army of One" -- It's the 21st Century recruiting slogan intended to appeal to the self-involved generation of a post-modern era that celebrates self over society.

Sgt. Amber Bastion (formerly Amber Bonds) joined that Army of One, but has since become part of an Army of at least three since graduation from Palo Verde High School in 2001.

Bastion and her husband, whom she met at her first duty assignment as a chaplain assistant at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., are now halfway through a one-year assignment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Unfortunately, the third member of Bastion's Army, 21-month-old son Ashton, did not get orders to Cuba along with Mom and Dad.

So, former Marine and now grandpa, Al Bonds, along with grandmother Anita needed to fill in, beginning in January 2005 as Ashton's full-time parents while his parents served their country in support of the war on terrorism.

Bastion's Army five is still greater than son Ashton's extended family though. Bastion's parents credit their employers' understanding, flexibility and good old-fashioned patriotism for their ability to make the transformation from empty nesters back to parents on short notice. Bonds works as a dealer for Station Casinos and Anita works for Quest Diagnostics.

"Everyone at Quest and Station has been very supportive of our situation and what Amber is doing for our country," said Anita, a naturalized U.S. citizen and native of Burma, who Al met and married while serving as a Marine security guard at the American Embassy there.

Given the senior Bond's military background and patriotic attitude, it's not surprising that daughter Amber joined the Army.

"My husband and I are told we are heroes all the time. Truth is though, that my son Ashton is a very big hero living here in Vegas without his mommy and daddy," said Bastion in an e-mail to In Uniform during her visit home with parents and child.

Bastion was decorated with an Army Commendation Medal upon her departure from Fort Leavenworth shortly after her promotion to sergeant.

"As a chaplain assistant it is my duty to provide religious support to all religions," says Bastion. "I set up services, count offerings and tithes, set up appointments, make bulletins, reserve the chapel and go to meetings.

"That's just the main stuff. What I really enjoy doing is listening to soldiers. A lot of the time instead of going to a chaplain, soldiers come to me. I love it. I love just being a friend and listening to them.

Asked about the current controversy surrounding incidents of mishandling and alleged disrespect of Islam's holy book the Quran, by Guantanamo guards or interrogators, Bastion said she never witnessed any such incidents.

"All I can say is that I've never seen the Quran disrespected in any way," she said. "Every prison guard is trained not to touch it. It's not just the prison guards that are trained. I went through classes after classes on their (Islamic) culture and how to treat (Muslims).

" Everyone in my unit is trained well, and we all treat the detainees with respect. Even when times get hard and we don't want to, we put our pride behind us and treat them with respect."

Bastian added that part of her job was serving the religious needs of detainees as well as U.S. soldiers.

"Twice a week I visit with detainees," Bastian said. "My job is to provide them with religious support. Upon request I give them prayer caps, prayer beads, prayer oil and prayer rugs."

For the rest of this week though, she just wants to be a great mother.

"When I came home he was asleep. I wanted to wake him up so bad but my mom said to let him sleep because he has been a little sick.

"When he woke up he started playing with a toy, his back was to me. I said his name maybe five times ... he looked up at me and his face looked so happy. I asked for a hug and he gave me a hug and kiss.

"Two minutes later he tugged on my pants and said, 'My mommy mommy,' and my heart melted. I was so scared that he wouldn' remember me. But he knew exactly who I was."