The intent of this symposium – the second one in the last six months – is to understand and prioritize these issues as families navigate the maze of benefits throughout hospitalization, recovery, rehabilitation and transition back into the Army or their civilian community.
The discussions were udoubtedly helpful to improving how we assist our injured Soldiers to adapt and overcome, but to learn the stories of these young heroes is humbling.
SSG Holsey
Holsey isn’t looking to leave the Army. In fact, a second tour in Iraq wouldn’t bother him.
He recently reported to the basic non-commissioned officer course. At weigh-in Holsey noticed his peers eyeing his leg. The stares didn’t bother him. “I made people comfortable, I would say stuff like, ‘I’m gonna put my other leg on later,”’ Holsey said
1LT Folkerts
He was told he might never have use of his hand again. “I told them, ‘No, no I’m gonna keep fighting,’” Folkerts said. The lieutenant painfully sat in Walter Reed, hearing updates from his buddies still in Iraq. He felt guilty for not being there. Slowly, he regained some feeling in his hand.
For a time, he dodged the situation. “I kind of refused and almost denied that I had problems last year because I didn’t want to talk to anybody about it,” said Folkerts, who moved into an apartment on Fort Riley after leaving Walter Reed.
But he grew tired of feeling down about himself. So he visited family on weekends. Slowly, he began to accept and be comfortable with his disabled left arm.
“Just to be back in my unit and back in uniform and actually contributing really helped me out because I felt like I was part of the team again,” Folkerts said. Also helpful was sharing an apartment with two officers who returned from Iraq.
SPC Sele
An hour into the trip, Sele heard an IED detonate under the fuel tankers. The commander ordered him to guard the tankers as engineers determined whether the tankers could still be driven.
Then, from his perch atop the Humvee Sele spotted a small car approaching. “Hey, I got a suicide bomber coming in,” Sele shouted.
He was ordered to shoot.
Sele’s fire killed the driver, flattened the tires and silenced the engine. But the momentum of the vehicle continued towards the fuel tankers.
As Sele fought to get out of his harness, he heard the beeping sound of a detonator.
The explosion of both fuel tankers launched him a half mile. “Till now I still hear that beeping sound,” Sele said.
SSG Noel
He remembers waking up in a fog and hearing people scream “Get him out! Get him out!” He tried to move his arms and legs but couldn’t. Then he blacked out. His next memory was rolling out on a gurney from a tent hospital.
The IED had broken two of his ribs, one femur, both ankles, his scapula, cut his spleen and collapsed a lung. Everyone else died.
Following surgery to install a titanium support in his backbone, he should be able to leave the wheelchair behind. Noel hopes to return to Texas with his son, who is currently living with his grandmother in Washington state.
The spirit of these young men is simply amazing. I don’t know where America finds them, but I’m damned glad that we do. Sgt Hook out.
I’ve oft wrote about America’s unsung heroes, and I’m not talking about your Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors, or Coastguardsmen. No, I speak of those married to them, of their children, and of their parents. So, in the spirit of this weekend’s SpouseBUZZ Live consortium, I thought to publish this article written by a deployed Soldier’s wife.
In a reaction to worsening violence in Baghdad, the Defense Department is extending the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s tour in Iraq for up to 120 days.
The 172nd has spent the past year headquartered in Mosul, and had already begun its redeployment to Alaska when word came of the redeployment to Baghdad.
The decision to extend your Soldiers was certainly a punch in the gut to their families…
The Army comes through, just when you need it most
By Michelle Cuthrell
Published October 20, 2006
Posted in Local, News
As an unofficial member of the U.S. Army, I’m used to standing in lines.
Hurry up and wait is just one of those realities in the military — and one I usually confront with a tap in my toe and frustration on my face.
But Wednesday night was a totally different story.
For the first time in my life as a military spouse, I stood in a line on a military base excited, smiling and completely content to wait on my feet for an hour and 15 minutes while the line crept slowly forward to the front of Murray Hall. I would even call the experience pleasant, if line standing can be classified as such.
Hey, I’ll sing a song backwards while standing on my head and writing love notes to the Army if it means that at the end of that line are tickets for my son and myself to fly to Anchorage for a weekend. For free.
For all the complaining I occasionally do about the military (”the Army stole my husband,” “I hate deployment” and “Matt brought a third party into our marriage and I’m telling!” have all been household phrases in my home at one time or another), the commanders, rear detachment and base organizations at Fort Wainwright sure have reached out to Stryker families this year — and not just in a “we’ll do the least we can and scrape by at bare minimum” kind of way.
They’ve applied for grants that have given each family eight hours of free respite childcare each week, plus five hours of free care every Tuesday and Thursday night. They’ve set up a Family Assistance Center with staffed personnel nearly any time of day, and brought in teams of counselors (Family Life Consultants) to consult with anyone at any time.
They’ve set up free bowling nights for Stryker families, set up free humor and motivation-inspiring events for spouses. They’ve even turned the Last Frontier Club into a family-friendly place where burnt-out single parents can bring their kids to play laser tag and crawl through playland tubes when they just can’t take another round of “who can beat Mommy the hardest with his He-Man, just-like-Daddy’s sword” any more.
Some people tell me that that’s the least the Army can do for keeping our spouses overseas for an additional four months, or for deploying them overseas at all. But my husband signed up to serve, and he considers his job an honor, and that means that everything the Army does for us beyond providing a paycheck, some health care and a form of communication is just icing on the cake.
The Army does not owe it to me to provide free childcare nearly any day of the week. They do not owe it to me to send their rear detachment team out to hang up my Christmas lights because my husband isn’t here to do it for me. And they certainly do not owe it to me to arrange an incredible all-expenses-paid trip to Anchorage for a weekend of shopping and fun with a plane ride down and a train ride back to cheer me up in the middle of an extension.
But the team at Fort Wainwright does it anyway. Because they want to. Because they choose to. Because that’s a gift they can give us during a stressful time for our families. It’s just that, in the middle of that heartbreak and chaos, I haven’t always been able to view it as one.
I’m done “surviving” the Army. Today, I am going to start appreciating not only the roof the Army puts over my head, but the hard work and sacrifices the Army’s home-front personnel make every single day so that I can live a more comfortable life while my husband serves overseas. And I’ll do it one joyful line standing at a time.
Michelle Cuthrell is a local freelance writer. Her columns about life as a military spouse at Fort Wainwright will appear while her husband, a lieutenant with the 2-1 Infantry Battalion, is deployed with the 172nd Stryker Brigade.
Like I said, America’s unsung heroes. Sgt Hook out.
Some old fashioned smash mouth bar brawling going on over at Smash’s place. What’s it over? What else, Baby Boomers.
Smash sez…
You may be the most insufferable, self-centered, and irresponsible generation in American history. Oh, one-on-one, some of you are tolerable. But as a group, I can’t stand you. You seem to be generationally incapable of moving beyond the past, dealing with the present, or planning for the future.
At this moment, your generation dominates American politics. And just look at the mess you’ve made of it! As a nation we have become so divided, so tribalistic about our affiliations, that it is now almost impossible to have an intelligent discussion about any issue of substance. And it’s all your fault.
While I think that my favorite squid makes some valid points, I suddenly find myself in a bit of a panic in that I’m not really sure to which generation I belong. Then again, I’m not really sure why we tend to feel so compelled to identify ourselves with a specific generation, but we do and I’m feeling a bit lost.
I’ve read where the Baby Boomers are defined as those born from 1946-1964. I was born in 1964, and I do like listening to the WHO, the Beatles, and Led Zepplin so I’m curious as to whether I’m a boomer or not. This is important considering Smash’s wish for all Baby Boomers…
I hope you all die before you get old.
Then again, the definition of Generation X is said to be those born in 1965 and beyond, with many arguing that 1964 was the begining of the GenXers. I’m not a big fan of grunge music though so I can’t help but ask, “Who am I, who, who?”
Like others, I’ve not slept since reading Smash’s post, I’ve got to figure this out so that I can get the right t-shirt, properly aligning myself with those greedy bastards not willing to make sacrifices for the good of others, or with the cynical crowd feeling dwarfed and overshadowed by those Boomers not willing to sacrifice for the GenXers.
Any suggestions?
I wonder if there is a secret handshake for either group, that just might tip the scales for me. Sgt Hook out.
Back in March of 2003, inspired by LT Smash and a lifelong desire to call myself a writer, I opened an account with Blogger though honestly, not really sure of what I was getting into. I fumbled through setting up the template and struggled to name the damn thing, eventually coming up with Sgt Hook. It didn’t take me long to discover the rest of the blogosphere and realized that I was entering into a whole new world, or at least a sub-culture. With a little help from newfound friends Kate and Lisa, I eventually moved to my own domain and redesigned the place.
My early postings focused mostly on my experiences as a soldier, describing what life was like for those who serve and their families. That hasn’t changed very much. I also tried to share soldiers’ stories that I thought ought to be made known, frustrated that they weren’t covered enough in the MSM. That hasn’t changed much either. From the early days, my readers have provided amazing support to just about anydamnthing I’ve asked. That hasn’t changed at all. I am sincerely thankful for each and every one of you. I am humbled by the wonderful support you’ve showed these past three plus years. Thank you.
Without any further ado…
Would the visitor from Round Lake, Illinois who stopped by on October 28, 2006 at 9:25:39 pm for one minute and five seconds, using Comcast.net please stand up and be recognized as the 500,000th visitor to Sgt Hook.
If you don’t mind, could you leave a comment describing why you stopped by and what, if anything, you like about Sgt Hook?
The prize. That’s right, both the 500,000th visitor and the referrer have won a fabulous prize for helping to make this milestone history. Each of you has won a lunch with Hook and a month’s free advertising via Blogads on Sgt Hook. Shoot me an email and we’ll work out the details.
Again I want to thank everyone for continuing to stop by and support this old soldier. I am humbled. Sgt Hook out.
I managed to get out of work before the sun had set yesterday (a first in a long while) and as I was making the 20-minute drive home I noticed that the leaves on the trees have started to change; not as vibrant and breathtaking as the trees of New England, but beautiful nonetheless. And then it hit me, Fall has arrived.
Fall happens to be my favorite time of year. I love the crispness of the air, the transformation that occurs all around us, and of course, sports. Admittedly, I can’t watch baseball all summer long, though I enjoy going to a game now and then, but when the playoffs and World Series start, I’m, *ahem, hooked. Likewise, football kicks into high gear this time of year and I can definitely watch football all season long. But what really grabs hold of my heart, is Thanksgiving; I love this holiday for all that it represents, for upon which season it falls, and for the feast, family, and friendship associated with it.
Oh, I almost forgot, along with the trees changing colors, the air turning colder, the Thanksgiving feast, and the days growing shorter, comes chili. I love to make, and sample, large pots of warm, tasty chili during the fall season. In fact, I’m putting together a pot of my secret chili recipe as we speak (or type), to enter into our unit’s chili cook-off competition tomorrow (later today). When the competition was originally announced, there were very few entrants, but when I put the challenge out there, for anyone to beat the CSM’s chili, the competition suddenly became stiff. Not to worry, I aim to find out if any of my Soldiers have what it takes to outcook my chili.
It is currently just after 0100 (local) and I’m only half-way through my creation. I’ve heard rumors that a few of my cooks have teamed up and are in the chow hall now, brewing up a pot of chili that will knock your socks off. This is going to be good.
Corporal David M. Unger was killed on October 17, 2006 when an IED exploded near his vehicle just outside of Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, TX. CPL Unger died defending freedom and fighting for the preservation of our way of life. Corporal David M. Unger was laid to rest yesterday in Leavenworth, Kansas. John attended the funeral, as did the Patriot Guard Riders.
CPL Unger, who graduated from Leavenworth High School in 2003, would have celebrated his 22nd birthday on Halloween. He leaves behind a wife, Laura Unger, and a son and daughter. You can pass along your sympathy and gratitude by signing an online guest book here.
Halfway down the road to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler’s Green.
-Author Unknown
Words cannot adequately express my heartfelt sorrow for the loss of this young hero, especially to his wife and children. Thank you for doing all that you could to defend us; to keep us bathed in the warm light of liberty. I’ll see you on Fiddler’s Green Corporal. Sgt Hook out.
KABUL, Afghanistan- Afghan and Coalition forces detained five terrorists associated with the Haqqani network during an early morning operation in the vicinity of Shah Vazir Kala in the Khowst Province today.
After requesting a peaceful surrender, in which several occupants came out, the combined force entered the compound. The compound contained several men, women and children, and the combined force secured the area without incident.
“Terrorists continue to conduct illegal activities with women and children surrounding them, unnecessarily placing these innocent civilians in danger,” said Col. Thomas Collins, Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan spokesman.
Caldwell noted that Iraqi Army units continue to take the lead in their areas of operations. On Tuesday in Ramadi, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, assumed responsibility in its area of operations. Now six of 10 Iraqi Army divisions, 30 of 36 Iraqi Army brigades, and 90 of 112 Iraqi Army battalions are in the lead, he said.
“We operate in support of them,” he said. “All across Iraq, we continue to see an increasingly capable Iraqi Security Force continuing to take the lead.”
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Army News Service, Oct. 26, 2006) – Forty four Indiana National Guard soldiers climbed aboard a plane headed for Arizona yesterday morning, joining up to 6,000 National Guard members from across the nation in support of the border patrol mission, Operation Jump Start.
This first significant deployment of Indiana troops to the border is just part of the job for Guard members, according to Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana’s adjutant general.
“Answering the call and supporting our state and nation – whether overseas, on hurricane duty in the South, the Southwest border, or our own back yard – is a responsibility our Soldiers and Airmen train for every day,” he said.
Iraqi Forces, with Coalition advisers, conducted three separate raids and detained eight suspects responsible for sectarian murders and kidnappings, as well as Improvised Explosive Device attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
In a raid in the Adhamiyah area of Baghdad, Iraqi Soldiers detained two suspects responsible for sectarian attacks against civilians and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
In two other raids in Southwestern Baghdad, special Iraqi Army forces detained four suspected terrorists involved in IED, rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Two persons suspected of sectarian attacks against Iraqi civilians were also detained.
PANJSHIR PROVINCE , Afghanistan — More than 1,900 Afghan students at the Rohka District K through 12 School now have fresh, clean water available at their school thanks to the efforts of provincial officials and their partnership with U.S. forces here.
Panjshir Director of Education Riza Rizai, school officials and Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team members helped dedicate the well in a ceremony held in front of hundreds of students, faculty, local residents and guests in the schoolyard, Oct. 21.
“Thank you to the PRT for providing a reliable source of water for the students,” said Mr. Rizai in his opening remarks. Students previously drank water drawn from a nearby irrigation ditch.
The well for the children ties in with the vision for reconstruction throughout the valley, as Governor Haji Bahlol established education as his number one priority for reconstruction efforts in the Panjshir Province.
“In the United States , education is important for the future, and it is clear that it is taken seriously here as well,” said Mr. Fletcher Burton, Panjshir PRT director. “These children will shape that future.”
This site is a collection of my writings, thoughts, and ramblings and in no way reflects the official positions of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. OPSEC trumps everything.
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In view of a recent tendency to identify characters in fiction with real people, it seems proper to state that there are no real people in this volume: both the characters and their names are ficticious. The names or designations of any military units are ficticious. There are no living people nor existing military units presented in this book.
-Ernest Hemingway
Halfway down the road to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
-Author Unknown
The Blog of War
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