FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 9, 2017) -- His small chin and tall slender build might have gotten him killed in his hometown if he had been born just two years prior.
In Rwanda, where nearly everyone is the same skin color, it is one's physical form that categorize the people into the three tribes: Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa.
But now his physical traits are something 21-year-old Pvt. Nshuti Gato doesn't have to worry about as he goes through basic combat training (BCT) at Fort Sill in C Battery, 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery.
LEARNING ABOUT TERROR
In early 1994 nearly 800,000 Rwandans, mostly of the Tutsi minority were murdered by the Hutu, the ethnic majority due to ethnic tensions, in the east-central African nation. When Hutu nationalists gained power and political control in the country, the mass killing spread throughout the region.
Gato, originally from Kigali, Rwanda, was born two years after the infamous 1994 genocide of Tutsi people. His mother, a civilian-turned-soldier during the genocide, told stories about the horrors of that time: Grenades and machetes were used on the civilian population. People had their necks cut with machetes and pregnant woman had their unborn children cut out of their abdomens. Even young children were smashed in human press machines. Gato said his mother still refuses to discuss many of the experiences she went through during that time.
From April to July the genocide was rampant, and although the control was gained by July, the damage upon the country and its people was extensive.
LIVING THROUGH THE AFTERMATH
Gato wasn't alive to witness the genocide, but that doesn't stop him from seeing the aftereffects of the politically charged murders within the current Rwandan society. Among the effects is knowing he has relatives he will never meet because they were killed in the genocide.
Despite being from the Tutsi tribe himself, Gato said he doesn't understand the differences and distinctions from tribe to tribe. Gato said his mother made it a point not to share with him the distinctions between tribes - she didn't want him to learn about the discrimination that caused the country to become divided, he said.
Instead, every year in April, to pay remembrance and respect to those killed, villagers dig bones up from mass graves. The ritual pays respects and condolences not only to the Tutsi people lost, but to the Hutu as well. The last time Gato saw the ritual was in 2005, before he left to come to the United States.
"It wasn't just the Tutsi people that died," Gato said. "We remember everyone."
A HOPE TO HELP OTHERS
After eight weeks in BCT, Pvt. Reagan Liddon said he has heard about the history of Rwanda and about how it relates to Gato. Despite the tragic history Gato's family and country has had, Liddon said Gato takes time to enjoy life, even in basic training.
"He's actually really funny," said Liddon. "He's serious when he needs to be serious, and he likes to get stuff done. He's really outgoing and smart. He wants to better himself."
Liddon said Gato embodies the phrase "one team, one fight" and Staff Sgt. Wayne Davis, one of Gato's drill sergeants, said Gato is an outstanding Soldier. He believes Gato's experiences have contributed to his maturity. Davis said Gato has already begun to help others starting with those within his basic training unit.
"His helpfulness towards his battle buddies is one his strongest qualities," Davis said. "He doesn't like to see anyone fail. He does what he's told, and he does it well. He doesn't hesitate to ask questions, and he's a good team-player."
Growing up in the aftermath of a country torn by genocide, Gato looks toward his future in the Army saying he joined to further his education. He hopes to take his education and experience in the military and use it to help others. Gato will attend advanced individual training to be a motor transport operator but hopes to finish his education and become a pharmacist. He said helping others is what motivates him.
"If I could do something to help someone, I'll do it," Gato said. "I think if you give your life in the Army for people to have peace, that's an accomplishment."
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