Where Are They Now?
VETERANS DAY 2023
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars as approved by legislation, Public Law 380, on June 01, 1954. It was former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961, who issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation.”
I will never forget what Rev. Fr. Keith said in his sermon several years ago. He reminded us that Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day. Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who have died while in military service.
The other military holidays we celebrate are the Armed Forces Day, which honors those currently serving in the U.S. military, and the Women Veterans Day, which is recognized by a growing number of U.S. states that specifically honor women who have served in the U.S. military.
As we observe Veterans Day, I recollect my active days in the Regular Army.
On my way to the battle zone in Iraq after the 9/11 attack, I saw American Veterans in boots, carrying guns, wearing tactical bulletproof vests, and Kevlar helmets. The men and women who played a substantial role during the Iraq War etched an indelible memory, and vision of patriotism into my mind. I was part of this amazing team, it sank in as I watched the other soldiers and saw myself in the same gear, heading for the battle zone.
Two years after I hung up my hat as a soldier, I decided to go back to the battle zone. This time, as a civilian contractor supporting the American troops. The
coalition forces were still at war. The good was still in pursuit of the evil terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in Syria. One day as I watched a man who was built like the Hulk from across the table in the chow hall, he reminded me of my own team during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was in full battle rattle before he laid down his safety gear. Full battle rattle means close to 50 pounds’ worth of gear, including a flak vest, Kevlar helmet, gas mask, ammunition, weapons, and other basic military equipment. I remembered the soldiers I had worked with in previous units.
I wondered where they were and what they were doing? I also missed my fellow soldiers from the battle zone. We served together and trusted the Divine Providence in going through the storm. We were always in full battle rattle until the Commanding General (CG) authorized a soft cap inside the concrete T-walls that surrounded us.
Major Hargrow was the Adjutant General of our Brigade Commander, 101 st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB). She was about 5’4”, lean like a machine, with an indomitable spirit of loyalty. The Brigade Commander depended on her acute, intelligent reporting in the daily battle update briefs. She also had a good sense of humor. Her innate ability to know exactly how to make her team laugh was enlightening after a long day of stress and anxiety. She was a perfect figure for my book, Silent Freedom. Her faith was like mustard seed, and she could melt someone’s heart whenever she spoke. She was very funny too. She was quiet and a bomb.
I also remembered SSG Warren. I would not want to make him angry. He fought without mercy. I would feel bad for the enemy if they faced off with SSG Warren.
The youngest in our team was PFC D. That was what we called her. SSG Warren watched her like a hawk and made sure she was not harassed by soldiers from other units. PFC D was beautiful and carefree, and I do remember what she told me. She joined the Army so she could go to college using the GI Bill. I cheered her dreams to improve her quality of life. She was lean and beautiful and could have been a fashion model in Manhattan, New York wearing the best clothes by amateur fashion stylists and designers. She said that might come later and she would fulfill her dreams one at a time. Suddenly, I saw a mature woman in her answer.
PFC Crump was another character I would remember for a very long time. One day, our paths crossed at Camp Liberty, Iraq while I was with my buddy Lydia on one of our breaktimes. Our excitement lasted about 20 minutes, we hugged each other and I congratulated her with her promotion to SGT. She said she worked for the CG, and I told her she deserved the elite position because she was an awesome soldier. We said goodbye and she invited me to her office inside the Al Faw Palace, the coalition forces headquarters. When SGT Crump and I parted ways, my mind went back to the leadership of the CAB. Command Sergeant Major Glidewell was brawny and epitomized a true leader. He would not micromanage you as long as you did your job, and did it well. He did not mingle with the ordinary dogs as he used to call them in our colloquial conversation, instead of saying troops. He mixed in with big dogs; dogs that worked hard and were loyal. I smiled with that thought. CSM Glidewell was the one who hired me into the brigade. I cannot think of many people who disliked him.
I have also thought of the other pack rats from the CAB’s different battalions. SFC P used to come to our Brigade S1 shop where my team worked and submit his daily personnel accountability report, which was required by higher headquarters. He was an outstanding NCO; polite, smart, a true professional in work and in deed. He always looked spiffy with a clean-cut haircut and clean uniform. Even back in the U.S., SFC P had impressed us with his ‘Khaki’ that looked fresh from the dry cleaners, and a spit shine pair of black boots. He always stayed longer than he was supposed to at the brigade S1. He chatted with female troops in the shop. He also got along well with our Warrant Officer and SFC Schroeder, and always stayed to have a few laughs with them.
There was a CSM from other battalions who did not win my favor. He always visited our office and repeated the same stories over and over again. We called it “BS” in the Army. One day I told my troops in the front desk I was out, and I locked my door to stop him from entering. I did it several times until he got the idea. He finally got the message and stopped bothering me. But he was respected by his troops and I would not dare to make him angry.
I also remembered the approximately 30,000 men and women assigned and attached to the 101 st in Iraq in 2003. They were the bravest citizens who
served the military and defended our freedom.
I will not forget the citizens who have served the military in all kinds of conflict before us. I salute them all. Many citizens served our nation. For some, it is a calling to be part of something greater than any individual. It is a calling from the heart and willingness to go back to the battlefield if called to fight for freedom. I do remember a fulfillment of the affirmation when taking an oath of enlistment: “I [state your name full name], Do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So, help me God.” I affirmed and abided by what I signed for. My comrades-in-arms did too.
There are over 148,000 immigrants who have served and earned citizenship through the military, in all its service branches in the last 20 years. The military
service has indeed provided a pathway to American citizenship. There have been over 760,000 immigrant service members in the U.S. over the last century. And, there are about 19 million living U.S. veterans.
With all that is happening in the world, I remember also when I took an affirmation to become a United States citizen, before I served our country and became a veteran. The naturalization oath of Allegiance to the United States of America goes: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have therefore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
I was very happy when finally, I became a citizen of the United States of America. I felt the responsibility to defend it at any cost. I can feel that I am not alone with this sentiment. Although it breaks my heart to see disloyalty based on what I have been witnessing around the capitol most recently.
As I finished my food in the chow hall, I wondered what my former S1 team had been doing these days. I remembered SGT B, SGT Coleman, and SPC Parker. They were also part of the team. They amazed me with their flexibility while in combat zone.
Where are they now? Where are all the troops that I served with in peace and at war in Operation Iraqi Freedom? As a Veteran when you retire you never really retire. Your heart stays with your troops, your military family, and you never forget the bond.
On this veterans day, we thank you vets for your service. Please stay well and stay safe!
To everyone, if you see something, say something.
Remember, “The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, but the inexperienced keep right on going and suffers the consequences.”
(Proverbs 22:3)
From the Silent Freedom Team
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