I was the phone with Patti Patton-Bader the other day talking about some Soldiers Angels issues. We talked about soldier X. He was, in my mind, a lost cause. Patti felt otherwise. And it turns out that she was right and I was wrong. It was a good reminder for me. I have worked long hours for certified heroes; however, I've probably spent the most energy and political capital I've ever had to get a soldier in prison (for murder) his meds for his wounds from Iraq - the warden denied them at first. I did it because he was a Soldier and his commander told me that he was worth it. Now, I'm gearing up to go to war for another soldier who committed a crime and needs our help. I also have to remember my own struggles and how far we've all come. I've had a lot of people in my corner but even sometimes my own wife doesn't understand why we do what we do. No one who serves in combat comes out of it unchanged. We all handle things differently and some have a greater capacity than others. It's just the way it is. Being angry and bitter, in my opinion, is the easy way out. Some of us use those lessons to help others as much as we can. Team Rubicon is a good example. Toby Nunn at Soldiers Angels is another. Of course, the team at the Warrior Legacy Foundation does, too - led by a grunt's grunt with a huge heart (but an even bigger sense of humor), David Bellavia. The boys at Ranger Up. This Ain't Hell (the BlackFive Farm Team). Our team here too is involved in so many behind the scenes operations...and many others (apologies for leaving anyone out). Which brings me to people who haven't served in combat but have an enormous capacity for giving. Soldiers Angel MaryAnn in Germany is probably the premiere example. The USO Girls too. I have depended upon the spouses at SpouseBuzz many many times, and Some Soldiers Mom as well. Gold Star Dad, Robert Stokely, is another stalwart. We have a must read letter from Robert after the Jump and it's got some back story for Laughing Wolf's post below. 11 FEB 1300 hours: My cell phone rang as I was in the middle of me supervising my Staff Prosecutor presenting evidence in a Driving Under the Influence case. I step outside to take the call. She was hysterical, calling out to me Mr. Stokely, Mr. Stokely, please help me.... I did not know who was calling me and it was a struggle to even get her name and for now I will call her TS. She was crying, sobbing out of control. Finally, she told me her husband was with Bravo 2/121 48th BCT based in Newnan / Coweta County GA where I live and serve as the prosecutor. I am also privileged to serve as the Family Readiness Group Co-Chair for Bravo 2/121. The unit has been in Afghanistan since last June, and the going has not always been smooth. Last Thursday was anything but smooth. When TS called me it was dark there and her husband and many other soldiers were in their sleeping quarters. As I got her to calm down she told me something terrible had happened but she was not sure what. Sobbing and sounds that were words that made no sense. I got her to calm down again - firmly speaking to her to slow down, breathe, breathe, breathe deep. Then I asked her to tell me slowly what she heard, what she knew. Still sobbing and with a quivering voice she began to tell me she heard a loud noise as she was talking to her husband who was with Bravo 2/121 in Afghanistan. Then immediately after the loud noise, someone shouted to him "The ****** ****** blew himself up and we got to get to our trucks." She sobbed and cried in anguish again.... I said with a little more firm voice "Calm Down, we have to work through this." She settled down. Then I said " Tell me what you heard next". She then told me the phone was still on, an open line and she could hear sounds - screaming, shouting, etc. Then she heard the words suicide bomber. I told her to hold on and immediately called my Rear D and reported something bad had happened at (omitted for op sec reasons). I switched back to TS - "What are you hearing?" It is calmer now she said - the line is still open. I thought about calling my Co-Chair, whose son is at the same camp. It was a hard decision to make - if I call her she may become frantic at the least extremely worried. But I decided I had to make the call to prep her to brace for bad news, but at same time brace for calls from other spouses and family. In today's war, news travels fast. Within a few minutes my Co-chair called me - she had heard from her son, a brief message - "Mom, I am o.k. got to go." She was re-assured. Then the calls started coming in to her and she relayed to me. Now, with TS on the phone, and my Co-Chair, I am switching between conversations and adding a third one to Rear D giving them info I am acquiring - names and scope of injuries, all coming from down range from soldiers, mainly through their spouse by phone, email, text... Five soldiers down, one looks serious I tell Rear D. And it was accurate. In the course of several hours, the info being relayed to me through an open line, family of the wounded, and others to my Co-chair was more accurate and in real time than even our Rear D could acquire. How could that be? Well Rear D had to call into command, who at...
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Posted
Feb 17 2010, 12:55 AM
by
BLACKFIVE