Yanek Returns from African Duty

Bill Yanek, executive vice president of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) of Topeka, Kan., returned to the United States last week after serving for seven months at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa, according to GANA's Glass Reflections.

Yanek, who was promoted to Lt. Colonel during his time in Africa, serves in the Army National Guard's Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. During his last week in Djibouti, Navy Seal Team Six launched its rescue operation of two hostages in Somalia from the Lemonnier, bringing world press to the base.

"It's great to be home," says Yanek in the Reflections. "U.S. military efforts don't always get the publicity that other parts of the world do, but are equally important. My time there certainly altered my world video of how the U.S. can impact that region. That being said, I am ready to re-engage on more local matters of importance, such as elementary school and youth athletics."