U.S. Army 1968-1861, Vietnam 1969-1970
Helicopter Crew Chief/Door Gunner.
"I was never afraid to die, because I had Jesus in my heart."
Showing posts with label Afghanistan and Iraq War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan and Iraq War. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Capt. Joshua A. Mantz
Life and Death and Life in Iraq
This is a soldier’s story, a tale of life and of death and of life’s return.
It is the story of one soldier, Capt. Joshua A. Mantz, who was shot in Iraq. Technically, he was dead, a flat-liner for a full 15 minutes - long past the time many doctors use as their mark for ordering a halt in life-saving efforts, since brain damage can start within just a few minutes without vital signs.
But it also is the story of how Captain Mantz will journey to Washington this week, where he will speak of the battlefield physicians who brought him back to life, and thank the counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who balanced discipline with empathy and pushed him through rehabilitation.
Five months after he was revived, Captain Mantz returned to his unit in Iraq to finish a tour of platoon command, and he is preparing to deploy again, most likely early next year.
The 27-year-Qld from Sunbury, Pa., got to practice his compelling narrative this past weekend, when he met Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who was visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kan., with a stop at nearby Fort Riley, to deliver a challenge to cut wasteful Pentagon spending.
Captain Mantz was wounded in Baghdad on April 21, 2007, when he was a first lieutenant and leader of a Scout Platoon in the 1-8 Cavalry operating in Baghdad. He was guiding his soldiers on the edge of the rebellious Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, when the soldiers crossed into range of an adversary sniper using high-powered, armor-piercing bullets.
A round entered through the left arm of Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, and exited through his chest, but only after severing his aorta and delivering a mortal wound.
The force and heat of the round caused the bullet to fuse with Sergeant Harper's body armor. A chunk of bullet and melted armor plate the size of a human fist ricocheted into Captain Mantz's upper right thigh, severing his femoral artery, another of the deadliest combat wounds possible. But first the adrenalin of combat kicked in.
"1 didn't know that 1 was shot," Captain Mantz said. "I was simply confused and knew that something was wrong. 1 experienced tunnel vision, as my attention immediately focused on the face of Staff Sergeant Marlon Harper. I looked into his eyes with crystal clarity and watched as his lifeless body fell to the ground. 1 experienced auditory distortion, in that 1 could hear nothing except for the muted shot of the sniper round, and hear my own voice call for my medic. 1 also experienced slow-motion time. 1 could feel my body absorb the shock of the round as it hit my body. 1 could feel myself moving backwards."
Captain Mantz dragged Sergeant Harper out of the way and began to perform first aid on him while calling for assistance. "When my medic arrived, no more than 15 seconds later, 1 briefly passed out," Captain Mantz said. "1 regained consciousness when my men carried me into the nearest Bradley Fighting Vehicle and drove to FOB Loyalty," the forward operating base that was their home in Baghdad.
‘I could feel myself starting in die’
During the 10 -minute ride, the medic cinched-up a tourniquet and helped Captain Mantz stay conscious. "But 1 had to fight for every breath that I took," Captain Mantz said.
The convoy was met by a team of Army medical personnel who within seconds were administering CPR and electronic defibrillation.
"But by this time I could feel myself starting to die, and I became desperate in my struggle to stay conscious," he said. "We're taught in Combat Lifesaver Training that the body will pull blood to the chest cavity during a catastrophic injury in order to protect the vital organs. I could actually feel this happening. It started with my legs. I could feel the blood creeping up from my legs to my chest cavity. When all the blood was gone, my legs locked-off. As the feeling crept up my body, it became harder and harder to breathe. The blood-creeping sensation moved to my quads, and they locked off. The feeling then crept to my stomach, and it locked-off. When the feeling moved to my stomach, it felt as if! was running wind sprints around a 400-meter track while breathing through a straw.
"I started to repeat three names in my head over and over again: My mom, my sister Melissa, and my sister Kendra. For the last 60 seconds of my life, I rapidly repeated these three names in my head. They helped me hold on a little longer and knew I had to fight for them. But the feeling then crept to my chest, and I knew I was done. I calmly said my last thought, took my last breath, and died."
There is one question Captain Mantz said he gets every time anyone hears his story: Did he see a tunnel of white light? The sound of angels? A gateway to the afterlife?
"I had no out -of-body experience," he said. "Either that means it doesn't exist or it means I need to change the way I am living."
The medical team working on Captain Mantz did not quit. "I don't know what possessed the brigade surgeon and his team to continue working on a dead guy for 15 straight minutes - many doctors will 'call it' after 6 minutes because that's usually the point at which brain damage sets in - but they kept going," Captain Mantz said.
When they restored a faint pulse, Captain Mantz was loaded onto a Black Hawk helicopter for a short flight into the Green Zone and more advanced emergency care. There, the military hospital team went through nearly 30 units of blood during a complicated vascular surgery. Blood was in short supply, and the medical team pulled soldiers into the surgery ward, drawing blood straight from their arms and putting it right into Captain Mantz. (He was ordered to take tests for a year to check for blood infections or disorders from the unprocessed transfusions, and he is fine.)
"Our military surgeons are gods in their profession," he said. "With the proper resources, they can, and do, bring soldiers back to life against impossible odds."
When he was stabilized, Captain Mantz was flown first to the larger military hospital at Balad, Iraq, north of Baghdad, and then to the military facility in Landstuhl, Germany, where it was determined that he had suffered no brain damage.
Recovery
Then he was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where he underwent follow-up surgery before being transferred to the Warrior Transition Brigade, a unit at Walter Reed designed to assist soldiers in recovering from physical and mental wounds, and returning to service or moving on to the civilian world.
He arrived at Walter Reed shortly after The Washington Post had disclosed shoddy conditions there, prompting Mr. Gates and the Army to replace the facility’s top officers.
Captain Mantz had only compliments for new leadership at Walter Reed, which he described as "a utopia" of Army medical care.
Scrutiny has fallen on the broader effort to help wounded soldiers, however. Clifford L. Stanley, the new Under Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, recently forced out the civilian deputy in charge of Pentagon¬-wide programs to care for wounded troops because of concerns the program was not functioning as well as it should.
And the New York Times studied one Army trauma care center at Fort Carson, Colorado and interviewed more than a dozen soldiers and health care professionals who described significant and troubling shortcomings in care.
In response to that article, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army’s Vice Chief of Staff, visited the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson. He said that more than 80 percent of the soldiers who had passed through these units said they had positive experiences, he pledged that any problems would be examined.
Captain Mantz said one reason he wanted to return to Walter Reed this week was to offer his thanks for the care he received, which he credits with allowing him to return to his combat unit less than five months after his catastrophic injury.
"I wanted to redeploy for two reasons," he said. 'The first reason was for my men. The sniper round that hit us on 21 April took out the platoon leader - me - and the senior scout of the platoon - Staff Sergeant Harper - in a matter of seconds. One month later, the platoon sergeant was struck by an lED and was medevaced out of theater.
"I went back to the same unit," he said. "One of the best moments of my life was landing on that helicopter. They didn't know I was coming back. I looked like a ghost walking around the comer. They just swarmed me. It was amazing."
"I needed to know that I could go outside the 'wire' and be mentally capable of performing my job as an infantry officer. You can say that you're 'fine' all you want back in the States, but the true test happens when you have to perform. I needed to know that I wouldn't freeze up. And as it turned out, I was scared to death on my first patrol. I could barely move and was completely incapacitated."
He went out again with his troops, "and was perfectly fine on every subsequent patrol. I soon learned that I'd be able to continue to perform as an infantry officer, and that gave me an immense amount of closure."
Helping Others by Sharing His Story
Captain Mantz currently is assigned as aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. David C. Petersen, the deputy commanding general of the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, and is expecting to return to Iraq as a company commander early next year. In the meantime, he has decided to tell his story as often as anyone will listen.
A few weeks ago, Fort Riley hosted a counseling session for spouses and parents of those killed in combat. Captain Mantz was approached by a mother whose son had been killed by a high-powered improvised explosive. She said the explosion had severed both of his legs at the waist, and she had been tormented wondering what her son, a hard-charging, type-A personality, had felt and thought in his last moments.
"The question that bothered her for the last three years was, "I wonder if my son lost the will to live because he knew his legs were gone and knew he couldn't walk ever again. 1 wonder if he gave up.' 1 was able to look her straight in the eye, and tell her that I used to think the same thing. I used to think that I’d rather die than lose a limb in combat. But as soon as I was shot, that thought went completely out of the window. I couldn't have said to the doctor fast enough, "Take my leg! I'll figure the rest out later!' As I answered her question, I could see it in her eyes that 1 gave her a little bit of closure. And that was a question that only I could answer."
"I never thought I’d get an answer to that question until that mother walked up to me that day," Captain Mantz said. "Your experiences are valuable in ways you may not realize yet. I strongly encourage you to talk about them. You'll never know who you're going to help."
This is a soldier’s story, a tale of life and of death and of life’s return.
It is the story of one soldier, Capt. Joshua A. Mantz, who was shot in Iraq. Technically, he was dead, a flat-liner for a full 15 minutes - long past the time many doctors use as their mark for ordering a halt in life-saving efforts, since brain damage can start within just a few minutes without vital signs.
But it also is the story of how Captain Mantz will journey to Washington this week, where he will speak of the battlefield physicians who brought him back to life, and thank the counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who balanced discipline with empathy and pushed him through rehabilitation.
Five months after he was revived, Captain Mantz returned to his unit in Iraq to finish a tour of platoon command, and he is preparing to deploy again, most likely early next year.
The 27-year-Qld from Sunbury, Pa., got to practice his compelling narrative this past weekend, when he met Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who was visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kan., with a stop at nearby Fort Riley, to deliver a challenge to cut wasteful Pentagon spending.
Captain Mantz was wounded in Baghdad on April 21, 2007, when he was a first lieutenant and leader of a Scout Platoon in the 1-8 Cavalry operating in Baghdad. He was guiding his soldiers on the edge of the rebellious Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, when the soldiers crossed into range of an adversary sniper using high-powered, armor-piercing bullets.
A round entered through the left arm of Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper, 34, of Baltimore, and exited through his chest, but only after severing his aorta and delivering a mortal wound.
The force and heat of the round caused the bullet to fuse with Sergeant Harper's body armor. A chunk of bullet and melted armor plate the size of a human fist ricocheted into Captain Mantz's upper right thigh, severing his femoral artery, another of the deadliest combat wounds possible. But first the adrenalin of combat kicked in.
"1 didn't know that 1 was shot," Captain Mantz said. "I was simply confused and knew that something was wrong. 1 experienced tunnel vision, as my attention immediately focused on the face of Staff Sergeant Marlon Harper. I looked into his eyes with crystal clarity and watched as his lifeless body fell to the ground. 1 experienced auditory distortion, in that 1 could hear nothing except for the muted shot of the sniper round, and hear my own voice call for my medic. 1 also experienced slow-motion time. 1 could feel my body absorb the shock of the round as it hit my body. 1 could feel myself moving backwards."
Captain Mantz dragged Sergeant Harper out of the way and began to perform first aid on him while calling for assistance. "When my medic arrived, no more than 15 seconds later, 1 briefly passed out," Captain Mantz said. "1 regained consciousness when my men carried me into the nearest Bradley Fighting Vehicle and drove to FOB Loyalty," the forward operating base that was their home in Baghdad.
‘I could feel myself starting in die’
During the 10 -minute ride, the medic cinched-up a tourniquet and helped Captain Mantz stay conscious. "But 1 had to fight for every breath that I took," Captain Mantz said.
The convoy was met by a team of Army medical personnel who within seconds were administering CPR and electronic defibrillation.
"But by this time I could feel myself starting to die, and I became desperate in my struggle to stay conscious," he said. "We're taught in Combat Lifesaver Training that the body will pull blood to the chest cavity during a catastrophic injury in order to protect the vital organs. I could actually feel this happening. It started with my legs. I could feel the blood creeping up from my legs to my chest cavity. When all the blood was gone, my legs locked-off. As the feeling crept up my body, it became harder and harder to breathe. The blood-creeping sensation moved to my quads, and they locked off. The feeling then crept to my stomach, and it locked-off. When the feeling moved to my stomach, it felt as if! was running wind sprints around a 400-meter track while breathing through a straw.
"I started to repeat three names in my head over and over again: My mom, my sister Melissa, and my sister Kendra. For the last 60 seconds of my life, I rapidly repeated these three names in my head. They helped me hold on a little longer and knew I had to fight for them. But the feeling then crept to my chest, and I knew I was done. I calmly said my last thought, took my last breath, and died."
There is one question Captain Mantz said he gets every time anyone hears his story: Did he see a tunnel of white light? The sound of angels? A gateway to the afterlife?
"I had no out -of-body experience," he said. "Either that means it doesn't exist or it means I need to change the way I am living."
The medical team working on Captain Mantz did not quit. "I don't know what possessed the brigade surgeon and his team to continue working on a dead guy for 15 straight minutes - many doctors will 'call it' after 6 minutes because that's usually the point at which brain damage sets in - but they kept going," Captain Mantz said.
When they restored a faint pulse, Captain Mantz was loaded onto a Black Hawk helicopter for a short flight into the Green Zone and more advanced emergency care. There, the military hospital team went through nearly 30 units of blood during a complicated vascular surgery. Blood was in short supply, and the medical team pulled soldiers into the surgery ward, drawing blood straight from their arms and putting it right into Captain Mantz. (He was ordered to take tests for a year to check for blood infections or disorders from the unprocessed transfusions, and he is fine.)
"Our military surgeons are gods in their profession," he said. "With the proper resources, they can, and do, bring soldiers back to life against impossible odds."
When he was stabilized, Captain Mantz was flown first to the larger military hospital at Balad, Iraq, north of Baghdad, and then to the military facility in Landstuhl, Germany, where it was determined that he had suffered no brain damage.
Recovery
Then he was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where he underwent follow-up surgery before being transferred to the Warrior Transition Brigade, a unit at Walter Reed designed to assist soldiers in recovering from physical and mental wounds, and returning to service or moving on to the civilian world.
He arrived at Walter Reed shortly after The Washington Post had disclosed shoddy conditions there, prompting Mr. Gates and the Army to replace the facility’s top officers.
Captain Mantz had only compliments for new leadership at Walter Reed, which he described as "a utopia" of Army medical care.
Scrutiny has fallen on the broader effort to help wounded soldiers, however. Clifford L. Stanley, the new Under Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, recently forced out the civilian deputy in charge of Pentagon¬-wide programs to care for wounded troops because of concerns the program was not functioning as well as it should.
And the New York Times studied one Army trauma care center at Fort Carson, Colorado and interviewed more than a dozen soldiers and health care professionals who described significant and troubling shortcomings in care.
In response to that article, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army’s Vice Chief of Staff, visited the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson. He said that more than 80 percent of the soldiers who had passed through these units said they had positive experiences, he pledged that any problems would be examined.
Captain Mantz said one reason he wanted to return to Walter Reed this week was to offer his thanks for the care he received, which he credits with allowing him to return to his combat unit less than five months after his catastrophic injury.
"I wanted to redeploy for two reasons," he said. 'The first reason was for my men. The sniper round that hit us on 21 April took out the platoon leader - me - and the senior scout of the platoon - Staff Sergeant Harper - in a matter of seconds. One month later, the platoon sergeant was struck by an lED and was medevaced out of theater.
"I went back to the same unit," he said. "One of the best moments of my life was landing on that helicopter. They didn't know I was coming back. I looked like a ghost walking around the comer. They just swarmed me. It was amazing."
"I needed to know that I could go outside the 'wire' and be mentally capable of performing my job as an infantry officer. You can say that you're 'fine' all you want back in the States, but the true test happens when you have to perform. I needed to know that I wouldn't freeze up. And as it turned out, I was scared to death on my first patrol. I could barely move and was completely incapacitated."
He went out again with his troops, "and was perfectly fine on every subsequent patrol. I soon learned that I'd be able to continue to perform as an infantry officer, and that gave me an immense amount of closure."
Helping Others by Sharing His Story
Captain Mantz currently is assigned as aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. David C. Petersen, the deputy commanding general of the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, and is expecting to return to Iraq as a company commander early next year. In the meantime, he has decided to tell his story as often as anyone will listen.
A few weeks ago, Fort Riley hosted a counseling session for spouses and parents of those killed in combat. Captain Mantz was approached by a mother whose son had been killed by a high-powered improvised explosive. She said the explosion had severed both of his legs at the waist, and she had been tormented wondering what her son, a hard-charging, type-A personality, had felt and thought in his last moments.
"The question that bothered her for the last three years was, "I wonder if my son lost the will to live because he knew his legs were gone and knew he couldn't walk ever again. 1 wonder if he gave up.' 1 was able to look her straight in the eye, and tell her that I used to think the same thing. I used to think that I’d rather die than lose a limb in combat. But as soon as I was shot, that thought went completely out of the window. I couldn't have said to the doctor fast enough, "Take my leg! I'll figure the rest out later!' As I answered her question, I could see it in her eyes that 1 gave her a little bit of closure. And that was a question that only I could answer."
"I never thought I’d get an answer to that question until that mother walked up to me that day," Captain Mantz said. "Your experiences are valuable in ways you may not realize yet. I strongly encourage you to talk about them. You'll never know who you're going to help."
Friday, May 14, 2010
Message From a Pilot
My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "we have an H.R. on this flight:' (H.R. stands for human remains.)”Are they military?" I asked.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said.
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia', he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words on his own.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our pre-flight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin.
‘I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', he said. He then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia.
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when he asked me if there was anything I could do.
'I’m on itl, I said. I told him that I would get back to him.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and this following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent the message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father.
The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft,' we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking and I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping.
Words of God Bless you, I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of America.
I respectfully ask that you pass this on, so others too can take a moment to realize just how much our military sacrifices for us, why they do what they do and that our country is nothing without our military and freedom!
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said.
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia', he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words on his own.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our pre-flight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin.
‘I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', he said. He then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia.
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when he asked me if there was anything I could do.
'I’m on itl, I said. I told him that I would get back to him.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and this following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent the message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father.
The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft,' we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking and I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping.
Words of God Bless you, I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of America.
I respectfully ask that you pass this on, so others too can take a moment to realize just how much our military sacrifices for us, why they do what they do and that our country is nothing without our military and freedom!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Mike Monsoor PO2, U.S. Navy
Petty Officer PO2
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)
April 5, 1981 ~ September 29, 2009
He was awarded "The Congressional Medal Of Honor" for giving his life in Iraq as he jumped on, and covered with his body, a live hand grenade, saving the lives of a large group of Navy Seals that was passing by!
During Mike Monsoor's funeral at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California, the six pallbearers removed the rosewood casket from the hearse,
and lined up on each side of Monsoor's casket were his family members, friends, fellow sailors, and well-wishers. The column of people continued from the hearse, all the way to the grave site.
What the group didn't know at the time was, every Navy Seal (45 to be exact) that Mike saved that day was scattered throughout the column!
As the pallbearers carried the rosewood casket down the column of people to the grave site, the column would collapse which formed a group of people that followed behind.
Every time the rosewood casket passed a Navy Seal, he would remove his Gold Trident Pin from his uniform, and slap it down hard, causing the Gold Trident Pin to be embed into the top of the wooden casket! Then the Navy Seal would step back from the column and salute! It was said that you could hear each of the 45 slaps from aross the cemetery.
Now for those who don't know what a Trident Pin is, here is the definition!
After one completes the Basic Navy Seals Program which lasts for three weeks, this is followed by Seal Qualification Training which is 15 more weeks of training. This is necessary to continue improving basic skills and to learn new tactics and techniques, required for an assignment to a Navy Seal Platoon.
After successful completion, trainees are given their Naval Enlisted Code, and are awarded the Navy Seal Trident Pin. With this gold pin they are now officially Navy Seals!
By the time the rosewood casket reached the grave site, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from the 45 Trident Pins that lined the top!
This was a fitting end to an eternal send-off for a warrior hero!
~
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)
April 5, 1981 ~ September 29, 2009
He was awarded "The Congressional Medal Of Honor" for giving his life in Iraq as he jumped on, and covered with his body, a live hand grenade, saving the lives of a large group of Navy Seals that was passing by!
During Mike Monsoor's funeral at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California, the six pallbearers removed the rosewood casket from the hearse,
and lined up on each side of Monsoor's casket were his family members, friends, fellow sailors, and well-wishers. The column of people continued from the hearse, all the way to the grave site.
What the group didn't know at the time was, every Navy Seal (45 to be exact) that Mike saved that day was scattered throughout the column!
As the pallbearers carried the rosewood casket down the column of people to the grave site, the column would collapse which formed a group of people that followed behind.
Every time the rosewood casket passed a Navy Seal, he would remove his Gold Trident Pin from his uniform, and slap it down hard, causing the Gold Trident Pin to be embed into the top of the wooden casket! Then the Navy Seal would step back from the column and salute! It was said that you could hear each of the 45 slaps from aross the cemetery.
Now for those who don't know what a Trident Pin is, here is the definition!
After one completes the Basic Navy Seals Program which lasts for three weeks, this is followed by Seal Qualification Training which is 15 more weeks of training. This is necessary to continue improving basic skills and to learn new tactics and techniques, required for an assignment to a Navy Seal Platoon.
After successful completion, trainees are given their Naval Enlisted Code, and are awarded the Navy Seal Trident Pin. With this gold pin they are now officially Navy Seals!
By the time the rosewood casket reached the grave site, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from the 45 Trident Pins that lined the top!
This was a fitting end to an eternal send-off for a warrior hero!
~
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Welcome Home A Hero - DFW International Airport, TX
Joe and Bert are my Vietnam veteran frieds I met at DFW Airport. The following letters are re-printed withtheir permission.
Robby
---------
My name is CPT Ross Hertlein, US Army. I have never really been to Texas or experienced much of the state, however I have to say that I have a strong desire to retire to a state that has the kind of people that support our military in the way you do. My first experience with DFW was R&R from Iraq in 2007 and recently I had my second experience in 2009 from Afghanistan. The greeting I have gotten each time is amazing. Nowhere else in the country has the reaction to my uniform been so warm and grateful. The people of Texas that are in the airport truly make me proud to serve my country and it makes doing my duty easier knowing we have the support of those at home. I never expected that after 8 years of war that the people would still care about the Soldiers coming home and going back to combat. Obviously you have not forgotten what we are doing and going through. It is not just the people in the USO but all the people in the airport. One generous flight attendant at a desk let me use her personal cell phone to call my wife when I asked her to direct me to a pay phone. The handshakes, cheers, and helpful people of all ages really makes me think that Texas is the kind of place I want to raise my family. I know this is a long letter but I just wanted to say thank you with all my heart and tell you not to stop what you are doing.
You are so appreciated. Thank you and God bless you and the people of Texas.
Sincerely,
CPT Ross M. Hertlein
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
-----------
My son flew in to DFW for RR from Iraq a few days ago. He graduated from high school a semester early to join the Army, left home two months after his 18th birthday, and just turned 21 in Iraq on November 9th. He told us how the greeting you and others gave him at the airport meant so much to him. He especially talked about the fire trucks blowing water all around the plane and the rows of people waving flags. I want to thank you and others for your efforts at welcoming our troops home. It means so much to the soldiers AND their families.
Following the tragic shootings at Ft. Hood, it was healing to me to see such support and appreciation.
Thank you,
Alice Bartschi
Salt Lake City, UT
---------------
Joe!!
Thank you so much!! These pictures keep him close to my heart it means alot thank you for what you do. =)
Stevie Cannell
--------------
I live, walk, and breathe among the bravest of heros. I am an ARMY Wife Hear me Roar..
Thank you so much for sending these photos and information to us!!! We certainly appreciate your time in both taking these wonderful pictures and forwarding them on with all of the extra information (as well as a big Thank YOU for YOUR time as part of our armed forces!) I know that Christopher and Rafe are excited to share their stories and patches at their Tiger Scout meeting tonight! And I am hopeful we can make it to DFW on the 1st for SPC Limperopoulos' return to Iraq.
Thank you and God Bless!
Beth Downs
------------
Thank you so much for sending the pictures so quickly!
I've taken student groups to the airport about once a six weeks for the past 4 years, so I'm sure I'll see you again.
Have a great week, and thanks for all you do.
Kathryn Laster
Lake Highlands High School
-------------
Joe, thank you so much for the wonderful pictures. I have sent them to all the people who wanted to be there but could not. They will bring many pleasant memories through the years. My wife couldn't make it but she is happy to have the pictures.
Again, THANKS A MILLION.
Gratefully:
Virgil Dennis
-----------
Thanks for sending the photos, they look wonderful.
It is our company's mission to serve the military, active and retired. Our team is always up to the task of taking care of the service members in any way that we can.
Thanks again,
James E. Moore
Senior Vice President
AAFES
----------
Thank you so much....Yes that is my hero in the picture you sent me. How nice of you to do that for me and for all of the other soldier's loved ones.
SSG James R Gilman U S Army 3rd Stryker brigade BN 296th Ft Lewis,Wa
Have a great Veteran's Day.
Tanya Gilman
-----------
Thank you so much. You guys were a blessing to so many and continue to be. It was a privilege to have been able to meet you and sit with you for awhile. I am thoroughly enjoying my family, as you may have guessed, as well as just being back in a greaty country like ours. I do hope to see you all again upon my return to Dallas!
Blessings!
MAJ Chris Bassett
-----------
Blessings to you, Donna and Bert, and all you dear folks who stand together in greeting our soldiers. You do a marvelous job and you are to be highly commended for your excellent work. You are the true American heroes!!!
I can only imagine the marvelous sense of joy, dignity, honor and respect you bring to our soldiers as they return home and see you there at the airport waiting for them. This is literally a slice of heaven for them because I believe in heaven that honor-giving is a way of life. And honor-giving is its own best reward as the LORD smiles on the selfless kindness you show to our troops.
All the Best to you,
David Pautsch
--------------
My daughter was there today and was sent off with such a feeling of appreciation for the sacrifices she has chosen to make for her country. As a mother, a proud mother, I wanted to thank you and all the volunteers for taking the time out of your lives to make her feel special to each of you as she is to her family. I can't tell you how much my heart hurt today sending her off to harm's way but when she told me about the welcome she got and the send off I thought it required for me to do my part and say THANK YOU for helping MY soldier today.
PFC Zepeda Vanessa
Lori Rabago
San Antonio, Tx - 121009
----------
Hi Joe,
I was wondering if you had any photo's from when our Cub Scout Pack 308 group attended to welcome home our troops on Sunday, November 29th. I think you took a picture of our pack in front of the table which held all the goodie bags the boys put together for the troops. You came up to me after everybody had taken their pictures and introduced yourself and gave me your card asking permission to post their picture on your website (which I verbally agreed to).
I also wanted to mention that I have really enjoyed looking at your pictures of our soldiers and other organizations that have come in the past to support our troops. The letters also warmed my heart as it really puts into perspective how much just this small effort on our part can really mean to them.
This is the second year in a row our pack has come out to support our troops and I can tell you that it's very much going to be an annual event we will feel honored to continue participating in!
God Bless you for your wonderful work!
Lupe Croniser
Pack 308 Event Coordinator - Allen, TX
--------------
What a wonderful surprise to open your e-mail and see our son! Thank you so much, I know you will be blessed for your efforts. I can't imagine how you keep up with all of this.
Zach's humvee was hit with a anti-tank grenade on his door on 4/21/07. After 5 hospitals and 6 month recovery, praise the Lord, he was up and running again. This picture is his 2nd tour, what a brave man to go back again, we are so proud of him and I will certainly pass on your appreciation. Zach's life was saved because they had uparmored the doors two months previously, I am so grateful to God for sparing his life. I know that there is more work and a purpose for him on this earth.
Thank you for your purpose! You certainly warmed my heart today.
Jeannie Ferrell
-------------
It was quite a shock coming around the corner in DFW to see a few hundred people waiting to greet us - girl scouts, boy scouts, cheerleaders, veterans, blue star mothers, people handing out candy, shaking hands, clapping, it was overwhelming.
I had spent 9 months in country at that point, and this was really my first encounter with the civilized world again. This service is amazing. I was overcome with the generosity, appreciation and support from everyone there. They didn't have to be there, they were there because they wanted to come thank us. It really meant alot to me.
In the excitement, a man handed me a small slip of paper with a website on it and told me the pictures from the event would be later posted online. I lost the little slip. I've had trouble tracking down the pictures. I found a website that had a large collection from 2006, and then this site welcomehomeahero.com. but the newest pictures are from early october.
I appreciate your help and for everything you guys have done in welcoming home soldiers. It really means alot to us. It was unexpected and meant alot.
Thank you,
PFC Hamblin
----------
Joe,
OH MY! I cannot thank you enough. YES! You captured my boy. I can't believe it. I'm SO glad I emailed you. I LOVE the pics of the plane with the water arch too. My husband is going to be so excited to see these too.
I'm all filled up now. Thanks and have a GREAT weekend!!! Thanks for what you are doing in welcoming our soldiers onto American soil!!!
Karen & Jim Green
-------------
Hello MR. Schneider,
Sir, I do want to thank you for the thoughtfulness that you are giving to the returning troops. As an Air Force veteran you understand what deployment means. As you know It means a lot to see all of the welcoming family members and US Citizens and for you to document it, well that is very special. Most of us are so busy trying to locate loved ones and are just overwhelmed in general, that a lot just goes by. Your great photographs will keep the memories alive for ever.
You hit the nail on the head with my photo. Yes, I am Photo 167C Airborne. I see what you mean about the name tags, very difficult! I will be back through DFW in a few months and I will try to thank you in person. I know you must have expenses, so if I can help in any way please let me know and again thank you for what you are doing to preserve a very special moment for us and for our country.
Sincerely,
SGT. John Tucker
82 Airborne, Ft Bragg
---------------
Mr Schneider sir,
1st of all, thank you so much for your service to your country and the heart that you have for our military! I can tell the passion you have for them is not all that common. (getting better though I might add!)
As you know from my wife and the pictures you took of my son that what you are doing is priceless! I wish I lived somewhat close to DFW so that I could spend some time with you and be among the welcoming committee there. I still have tears and chills just from watching the video and the pictures of our son arriving. One of the things that he said when he arrived and was part of that was that he was so overwhelmed.
Thank you again for what you are doing and I/we will keep you in our prayers and hopefully meet up with you someday and thank you personally.
God Bless You!
Jim Green II (Army MP '78-'81)
------------
Oh my goodness! Thank you! Thank you! We are so thrilled to have these pictures! I would rather have a picture than a hundred dollar bill on a normal day and these are priceless. I can't wait to show all of our family!! Thank you for this treasure. It has been such a blessing to have him home if only for a few short weeks and God has answered our prayers on keeping him safe so far and we trust He will continue to do so.
Thank you so much!
Julie Goodson
----------
Bert,
My pastor ended his sermons yesterday with the picture of the dad and son hugging.
His message was on how much our Heavenly Father loves us and keeps watching and waiting for us. He shared about the troops at DFW and the great work all the folks do each day welcoming home our heros.
There wasn't a dry eye anywhere in the sanctuary. What a blessing you, Joe, Chuck, Donna, Max and all the rest are to so many people!
See you soon,
Ben
Robby
---------
My name is CPT Ross Hertlein, US Army. I have never really been to Texas or experienced much of the state, however I have to say that I have a strong desire to retire to a state that has the kind of people that support our military in the way you do. My first experience with DFW was R&R from Iraq in 2007 and recently I had my second experience in 2009 from Afghanistan. The greeting I have gotten each time is amazing. Nowhere else in the country has the reaction to my uniform been so warm and grateful. The people of Texas that are in the airport truly make me proud to serve my country and it makes doing my duty easier knowing we have the support of those at home. I never expected that after 8 years of war that the people would still care about the Soldiers coming home and going back to combat. Obviously you have not forgotten what we are doing and going through. It is not just the people in the USO but all the people in the airport. One generous flight attendant at a desk let me use her personal cell phone to call my wife when I asked her to direct me to a pay phone. The handshakes, cheers, and helpful people of all ages really makes me think that Texas is the kind of place I want to raise my family. I know this is a long letter but I just wanted to say thank you with all my heart and tell you not to stop what you are doing.
You are so appreciated. Thank you and God bless you and the people of Texas.
Sincerely,
CPT Ross M. Hertlein
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
-----------
My son flew in to DFW for RR from Iraq a few days ago. He graduated from high school a semester early to join the Army, left home two months after his 18th birthday, and just turned 21 in Iraq on November 9th. He told us how the greeting you and others gave him at the airport meant so much to him. He especially talked about the fire trucks blowing water all around the plane and the rows of people waving flags. I want to thank you and others for your efforts at welcoming our troops home. It means so much to the soldiers AND their families.
Following the tragic shootings at Ft. Hood, it was healing to me to see such support and appreciation.
Thank you,
Alice Bartschi
Salt Lake City, UT
---------------
Joe!!
Thank you so much!! These pictures keep him close to my heart it means alot thank you for what you do. =)
Stevie Cannell
--------------
I live, walk, and breathe among the bravest of heros. I am an ARMY Wife Hear me Roar..
Thank you so much for sending these photos and information to us!!! We certainly appreciate your time in both taking these wonderful pictures and forwarding them on with all of the extra information (as well as a big Thank YOU for YOUR time as part of our armed forces!) I know that Christopher and Rafe are excited to share their stories and patches at their Tiger Scout meeting tonight! And I am hopeful we can make it to DFW on the 1st for SPC Limperopoulos' return to Iraq.
Thank you and God Bless!
Beth Downs
------------
Thank you so much for sending the pictures so quickly!
I've taken student groups to the airport about once a six weeks for the past 4 years, so I'm sure I'll see you again.
Have a great week, and thanks for all you do.
Kathryn Laster
Lake Highlands High School
-------------
Joe, thank you so much for the wonderful pictures. I have sent them to all the people who wanted to be there but could not. They will bring many pleasant memories through the years. My wife couldn't make it but she is happy to have the pictures.
Again, THANKS A MILLION.
Gratefully:
Virgil Dennis
-----------
Thanks for sending the photos, they look wonderful.
It is our company's mission to serve the military, active and retired. Our team is always up to the task of taking care of the service members in any way that we can.
Thanks again,
James E. Moore
Senior Vice President
AAFES
----------
Thank you so much....Yes that is my hero in the picture you sent me. How nice of you to do that for me and for all of the other soldier's loved ones.
SSG James R Gilman U S Army 3rd Stryker brigade BN 296th Ft Lewis,Wa
Have a great Veteran's Day.
Tanya Gilman
-----------
Thank you so much. You guys were a blessing to so many and continue to be. It was a privilege to have been able to meet you and sit with you for awhile. I am thoroughly enjoying my family, as you may have guessed, as well as just being back in a greaty country like ours. I do hope to see you all again upon my return to Dallas!
Blessings!
MAJ Chris Bassett
-----------
Blessings to you, Donna and Bert, and all you dear folks who stand together in greeting our soldiers. You do a marvelous job and you are to be highly commended for your excellent work. You are the true American heroes!!!
I can only imagine the marvelous sense of joy, dignity, honor and respect you bring to our soldiers as they return home and see you there at the airport waiting for them. This is literally a slice of heaven for them because I believe in heaven that honor-giving is a way of life. And honor-giving is its own best reward as the LORD smiles on the selfless kindness you show to our troops.
All the Best to you,
David Pautsch
--------------
My daughter was there today and was sent off with such a feeling of appreciation for the sacrifices she has chosen to make for her country. As a mother, a proud mother, I wanted to thank you and all the volunteers for taking the time out of your lives to make her feel special to each of you as she is to her family. I can't tell you how much my heart hurt today sending her off to harm's way but when she told me about the welcome she got and the send off I thought it required for me to do my part and say THANK YOU for helping MY soldier today.
PFC Zepeda Vanessa
Lori Rabago
San Antonio, Tx - 121009
----------
Hi Joe,
I was wondering if you had any photo's from when our Cub Scout Pack 308 group attended to welcome home our troops on Sunday, November 29th. I think you took a picture of our pack in front of the table which held all the goodie bags the boys put together for the troops. You came up to me after everybody had taken their pictures and introduced yourself and gave me your card asking permission to post their picture on your website (which I verbally agreed to).
I also wanted to mention that I have really enjoyed looking at your pictures of our soldiers and other organizations that have come in the past to support our troops. The letters also warmed my heart as it really puts into perspective how much just this small effort on our part can really mean to them.
This is the second year in a row our pack has come out to support our troops and I can tell you that it's very much going to be an annual event we will feel honored to continue participating in!
God Bless you for your wonderful work!
Lupe Croniser
Pack 308 Event Coordinator - Allen, TX
--------------
What a wonderful surprise to open your e-mail and see our son! Thank you so much, I know you will be blessed for your efforts. I can't imagine how you keep up with all of this.
Zach's humvee was hit with a anti-tank grenade on his door on 4/21/07. After 5 hospitals and 6 month recovery, praise the Lord, he was up and running again. This picture is his 2nd tour, what a brave man to go back again, we are so proud of him and I will certainly pass on your appreciation. Zach's life was saved because they had uparmored the doors two months previously, I am so grateful to God for sparing his life. I know that there is more work and a purpose for him on this earth.
Thank you for your purpose! You certainly warmed my heart today.
Jeannie Ferrell
-------------
It was quite a shock coming around the corner in DFW to see a few hundred people waiting to greet us - girl scouts, boy scouts, cheerleaders, veterans, blue star mothers, people handing out candy, shaking hands, clapping, it was overwhelming.
I had spent 9 months in country at that point, and this was really my first encounter with the civilized world again. This service is amazing. I was overcome with the generosity, appreciation and support from everyone there. They didn't have to be there, they were there because they wanted to come thank us. It really meant alot to me.
In the excitement, a man handed me a small slip of paper with a website on it and told me the pictures from the event would be later posted online. I lost the little slip. I've had trouble tracking down the pictures. I found a website that had a large collection from 2006, and then this site welcomehomeahero.com. but the newest pictures are from early october.
I appreciate your help and for everything you guys have done in welcoming home soldiers. It really means alot to us. It was unexpected and meant alot.
Thank you,
PFC Hamblin
----------
Joe,
OH MY! I cannot thank you enough. YES! You captured my boy. I can't believe it. I'm SO glad I emailed you. I LOVE the pics of the plane with the water arch too. My husband is going to be so excited to see these too.
I'm all filled up now. Thanks and have a GREAT weekend!!! Thanks for what you are doing in welcoming our soldiers onto American soil!!!
Karen & Jim Green
-------------
Hello MR. Schneider,
Sir, I do want to thank you for the thoughtfulness that you are giving to the returning troops. As an Air Force veteran you understand what deployment means. As you know It means a lot to see all of the welcoming family members and US Citizens and for you to document it, well that is very special. Most of us are so busy trying to locate loved ones and are just overwhelmed in general, that a lot just goes by. Your great photographs will keep the memories alive for ever.
You hit the nail on the head with my photo. Yes, I am Photo 167C Airborne. I see what you mean about the name tags, very difficult! I will be back through DFW in a few months and I will try to thank you in person. I know you must have expenses, so if I can help in any way please let me know and again thank you for what you are doing to preserve a very special moment for us and for our country.
Sincerely,
SGT. John Tucker
82 Airborne, Ft Bragg
---------------
Mr Schneider sir,
1st of all, thank you so much for your service to your country and the heart that you have for our military! I can tell the passion you have for them is not all that common. (getting better though I might add!)
As you know from my wife and the pictures you took of my son that what you are doing is priceless! I wish I lived somewhat close to DFW so that I could spend some time with you and be among the welcoming committee there. I still have tears and chills just from watching the video and the pictures of our son arriving. One of the things that he said when he arrived and was part of that was that he was so overwhelmed.
Thank you again for what you are doing and I/we will keep you in our prayers and hopefully meet up with you someday and thank you personally.
God Bless You!
Jim Green II (Army MP '78-'81)
------------
Oh my goodness! Thank you! Thank you! We are so thrilled to have these pictures! I would rather have a picture than a hundred dollar bill on a normal day and these are priceless. I can't wait to show all of our family!! Thank you for this treasure. It has been such a blessing to have him home if only for a few short weeks and God has answered our prayers on keeping him safe so far and we trust He will continue to do so.
Thank you so much!
Julie Goodson
----------
Bert,
My pastor ended his sermons yesterday with the picture of the dad and son hugging.
His message was on how much our Heavenly Father loves us and keeps watching and waiting for us. He shared about the troops at DFW and the great work all the folks do each day welcoming home our heros.
There wasn't a dry eye anywhere in the sanctuary. What a blessing you, Joe, Chuck, Donna, Max and all the rest are to so many people!
See you soon,
Ben
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Rose A. Hazlett
I was very fortunate to have many praying for me during my deployment in the military to Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom. I became who I am today -- a proud Hispanic American nurse patriot and leader because of the prayers, time, energy and devotion that these prayer warriors have invested in me. With their help, I was able to have a successful deployment. To achieve my dreams of success I need Jesus. In my life, I have learned that nothing shall be impossible to me, yet I am nothing without Jesus.
One of my most life-challenging experiences in the military occurred during this deployment at Landstuhl, Germany where I served for a year. This was my first military nursing experience in an environment filled with injured and wounded. Our country is blessed with wonderful youth that are serving in an admirable manner. I did not take care of one military person who was not grateful or thankful for their care. Despite injuries, their primary concern was to return to their units in the desert where they had left their fellow military personnel. We are blessed to live in a country where many willingly give up their freedoms to put on a uniform to fight for those at home. The men and women in uniform protect the freedom of our country with a courageous spirit that is truly admirable and awe-inspiring.
It is easy to put on a uniform and report to duty knowing that there are many praying for you. My most life-rewarding experience has been to be married to my husband. My husband is my hero. My husband is the epitome of the same values that I adhere to in the military: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage. My husband is the reason for my success because of his life as a righteous praying man. I have been on many missions that would not have been possible or successful without his support and prayers. During my Operation Desert Storm deployment, he took care of Courtney, our daughter, when she was only three years old. During this deployment, he took care of Courtney, now 16 years old, and our 12 year old son Creighton. My husband is one man that I know who takes his responsibility seriously as the spiritual leader in his home by placing the needs and requests of his family on the throne of God on a continual basis. I know that God answers the prayers of a righteous man, because he is the one that I called to ask for prayer during times of trial and desperation. My husband is the one who helped me to walk securely in God's love and protection because of the umbrella of his prayers sheltering my life. Due to his devotion and prayers I am able to walk as a successful wife, mother, and soldier.
One of the most significant awards I have received during my military career was a Meritorious Service Award for my role in an Army Reserve active duty training mission called "Golden Medic 2001." I am especially proud of this award because I was nominated not by my superior officers but by a junior officer serving under me, Amanda Parham-Roshell, lLT, AN. I had personally trained and mentored this young lieutenant, just as others had once done for me.
In nominating me for the award, she wrote: “LTC Hazlett went above and beyond the call of duty because she single-handedly taught each junior officer the ins and outs of operating a field hospital. Without her knowledge, experience and great leadership skills, our mission would have failed. Because our mission was a success, LTC Hazlett earned respect from all those under her command."
During this deployment, I received a coin for establishing the first breast cancer clinic at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I was a presenter at a women's health conference in Europe. I addressed cancer as a healthcare issue. I also received an award for establishing the first contingency units in the hospital for the war. However, my most notable and important recognition came from a chaplain with the
11th Signal Brigade. He presented me with a chaplain's coin for Christian leadership example.
In life, there are many paths to follow, but only one path has been ordered by God. As a wife, mother, nurse, PhD candidate and a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserves I know that God has ordered my steps. If it hadn't been for God's protection, I would have proceeded down quite a different path. I have come a long way from my roots in South Texas.
I grew up without knowing my parents. My brother and I were reared by our maternal grandparents after our mother's death when I was three years old. My father killed her in a jealous rage and was imprisoned. My grandparents were illiterate and not fluent in the English language, but my grandfather gave us loving care. Our household was run on pride, responsibility and the love of a man who accepted a parenting role at the time when most men his age were poised to live out the remainder of their days in leisure.
My military career started as a Navy seaman recruit in 1975. I transferred to the Army in 1983 after completing a BSN degree from the University of Texas at Austin. I received my master's in nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1988 and I'm currently working on my doctorate. In addition, 1 have completed all the military schools in a career progression: Officer Basic School, Officer Advance School, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and Command and General Staff College.
I have gained much from the educational benefits the military has to offer. By covering the cost of my tuition, the military has enabled me to continually advance my education in a way that would have been impossible on my own. Even now, after all my educational benefits have been exhausted, the state of Texas is paying for mv doctoral studies under the Hazelwood Act, which was established to assist Texas veterans.
Today I am proud to say that I have successfully completed my second mobilization as an Army nurse in my career. In 1991 I answered Operation Desert Storm's call, and in 2003 I responded to our present situation: Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was stationed at a medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany. During the war in Iraq, we were the primary medical center for treating soldiers coming from the front lines. We were very busy. It has been a very different experience for me. These soldiers are outstanding, very dedicated to our country. They are real heroes!
As a Christian, I want to be a leader and role model for the next generation. We desperately need to make strides with this generation. We must be active and diligent in voicing our concerns. We need to leave them a world that is better because we were in it. We need to get on the front lines and pray as never before for our youth. They need to see a responsible generation of adults that love them. Our youth need to see a generation of godly role models.
While the military lifestyle is not for everyone, I am living proof that serving in the armed forces can help open doors to education, career advancement and personal fulfillment that might otherwise have remained closed to many. My own success story could have easily gone in the other direction without the mentors, leadership opportunities, and faithful praying Christians. Consequently, I am a strong advocate for educating our youth and praying for them, because I know firsthand the difference it can make.
Army Nurse Rose A. Hazlett, BA, BSN, MS, is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and a member of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
One of my most life-challenging experiences in the military occurred during this deployment at Landstuhl, Germany where I served for a year. This was my first military nursing experience in an environment filled with injured and wounded. Our country is blessed with wonderful youth that are serving in an admirable manner. I did not take care of one military person who was not grateful or thankful for their care. Despite injuries, their primary concern was to return to their units in the desert where they had left their fellow military personnel. We are blessed to live in a country where many willingly give up their freedoms to put on a uniform to fight for those at home. The men and women in uniform protect the freedom of our country with a courageous spirit that is truly admirable and awe-inspiring.
It is easy to put on a uniform and report to duty knowing that there are many praying for you. My most life-rewarding experience has been to be married to my husband. My husband is my hero. My husband is the epitome of the same values that I adhere to in the military: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage. My husband is the reason for my success because of his life as a righteous praying man. I have been on many missions that would not have been possible or successful without his support and prayers. During my Operation Desert Storm deployment, he took care of Courtney, our daughter, when she was only three years old. During this deployment, he took care of Courtney, now 16 years old, and our 12 year old son Creighton. My husband is one man that I know who takes his responsibility seriously as the spiritual leader in his home by placing the needs and requests of his family on the throne of God on a continual basis. I know that God answers the prayers of a righteous man, because he is the one that I called to ask for prayer during times of trial and desperation. My husband is the one who helped me to walk securely in God's love and protection because of the umbrella of his prayers sheltering my life. Due to his devotion and prayers I am able to walk as a successful wife, mother, and soldier.
One of the most significant awards I have received during my military career was a Meritorious Service Award for my role in an Army Reserve active duty training mission called "Golden Medic 2001." I am especially proud of this award because I was nominated not by my superior officers but by a junior officer serving under me, Amanda Parham-Roshell, lLT, AN. I had personally trained and mentored this young lieutenant, just as others had once done for me.
In nominating me for the award, she wrote: “LTC Hazlett went above and beyond the call of duty because she single-handedly taught each junior officer the ins and outs of operating a field hospital. Without her knowledge, experience and great leadership skills, our mission would have failed. Because our mission was a success, LTC Hazlett earned respect from all those under her command."
During this deployment, I received a coin for establishing the first breast cancer clinic at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I was a presenter at a women's health conference in Europe. I addressed cancer as a healthcare issue. I also received an award for establishing the first contingency units in the hospital for the war. However, my most notable and important recognition came from a chaplain with the
11th Signal Brigade. He presented me with a chaplain's coin for Christian leadership example.
In life, there are many paths to follow, but only one path has been ordered by God. As a wife, mother, nurse, PhD candidate and a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserves I know that God has ordered my steps. If it hadn't been for God's protection, I would have proceeded down quite a different path. I have come a long way from my roots in South Texas.
I grew up without knowing my parents. My brother and I were reared by our maternal grandparents after our mother's death when I was three years old. My father killed her in a jealous rage and was imprisoned. My grandparents were illiterate and not fluent in the English language, but my grandfather gave us loving care. Our household was run on pride, responsibility and the love of a man who accepted a parenting role at the time when most men his age were poised to live out the remainder of their days in leisure.
My military career started as a Navy seaman recruit in 1975. I transferred to the Army in 1983 after completing a BSN degree from the University of Texas at Austin. I received my master's in nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1988 and I'm currently working on my doctorate. In addition, 1 have completed all the military schools in a career progression: Officer Basic School, Officer Advance School, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and Command and General Staff College.
I have gained much from the educational benefits the military has to offer. By covering the cost of my tuition, the military has enabled me to continually advance my education in a way that would have been impossible on my own. Even now, after all my educational benefits have been exhausted, the state of Texas is paying for mv doctoral studies under the Hazelwood Act, which was established to assist Texas veterans.
Today I am proud to say that I have successfully completed my second mobilization as an Army nurse in my career. In 1991 I answered Operation Desert Storm's call, and in 2003 I responded to our present situation: Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was stationed at a medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany. During the war in Iraq, we were the primary medical center for treating soldiers coming from the front lines. We were very busy. It has been a very different experience for me. These soldiers are outstanding, very dedicated to our country. They are real heroes!
As a Christian, I want to be a leader and role model for the next generation. We desperately need to make strides with this generation. We must be active and diligent in voicing our concerns. We need to leave them a world that is better because we were in it. We need to get on the front lines and pray as never before for our youth. They need to see a responsible generation of adults that love them. Our youth need to see a generation of godly role models.
While the military lifestyle is not for everyone, I am living proof that serving in the armed forces can help open doors to education, career advancement and personal fulfillment that might otherwise have remained closed to many. My own success story could have easily gone in the other direction without the mentors, leadership opportunities, and faithful praying Christians. Consequently, I am a strong advocate for educating our youth and praying for them, because I know firsthand the difference it can make.
Army Nurse Rose A. Hazlett, BA, BSN, MS, is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and a member of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Good Day for the Marine Corps by Peter Bronson
A GOOD DAY FOR THE MARINE CORPS
OUTNUMBERED 8-1
By Peter Bronson
(Please pray for our Marines and others serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.)
“Our vehicles came under a barrage of enemy RPGS (rocket propelled grenades) and machine gun fire. One of our humvees was disabled from RPG fire, and the Marines inside dismounted and laid down suppression fire so they could evacuate a Marine who was knocked unconscious from the blast.” That’s not from an episode of The Unit or 24. It’s not from an anti-war movie. It’s not from any newspaper or TV news report I could find.
The quote comes from a “designated marksman who requested to remain unidentified.” He was reporting what happened recently in the city of Shewan, Afghanistan. The story was told in a Marine Corps News report by Cpl. James M. Mercure. It will give you goose bumps and make you want to stand up and salute the nearest flag. Here’s more, because it’s a lot better than anything I could write today:
“Sewan had been a thorn in our side throughout the Marines’ deployment here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, because it controls an important supply route into the Bala Baluk district. Opening the route was key to continuing combat operations in the area.”
“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone.
The corporal said “It was roughly 250 insurgents against 30 of us. It was a good day for the Marine Corps. We killed a lot of bad guys, and none of our guys were seriously injured.”
Such an amazing story of heroism and victory would have been on Page One in every paper in the country during World War II. Just 30 Marines giving eight hours of hell to 250 insurgents is the kind of story that would make a good movie, if that kind of movie still could be made.
But we need to hear news like that, because a good day for the Marine Corps is a good day for freedom. And that’s a good day for America.
OUTNUMBERED 8-1
By Peter Bronson
(Please pray for our Marines and others serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.)
“Our vehicles came under a barrage of enemy RPGS (rocket propelled grenades) and machine gun fire. One of our humvees was disabled from RPG fire, and the Marines inside dismounted and laid down suppression fire so they could evacuate a Marine who was knocked unconscious from the blast.” That’s not from an episode of The Unit or 24. It’s not from an anti-war movie. It’s not from any newspaper or TV news report I could find.
The quote comes from a “designated marksman who requested to remain unidentified.” He was reporting what happened recently in the city of Shewan, Afghanistan. The story was told in a Marine Corps News report by Cpl. James M. Mercure. It will give you goose bumps and make you want to stand up and salute the nearest flag. Here’s more, because it’s a lot better than anything I could write today:
“Sewan had been a thorn in our side throughout the Marines’ deployment here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, because it controls an important supply route into the Bala Baluk district. Opening the route was key to continuing combat operations in the area.”
“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said. “A small group of Marines met a numerically superior force and embarrassed them in their own backyard. The insurgents told the townspeople that they were stronger than the Americans, and that day we showed them they were wrong.”
During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. He selflessly exposed himself time and again to intense enemy fire during a critical point in the eight-hour battle for Shewan in order to kill any enemy combatants who attempted to engage or maneuver on the Marines in the kill zone.
The corporal said “It was roughly 250 insurgents against 30 of us. It was a good day for the Marine Corps. We killed a lot of bad guys, and none of our guys were seriously injured.”
Such an amazing story of heroism and victory would have been on Page One in every paper in the country during World War II. Just 30 Marines giving eight hours of hell to 250 insurgents is the kind of story that would make a good movie, if that kind of movie still could be made.
But we need to hear news like that, because a good day for the Marine Corps is a good day for freedom. And that’s a good day for America.
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