Blog-ah

Ranger killed

AP reports that Spc. Christopher Gathercole, of Santa Rosa, Calif., was hit by small arms fire and died Monday near Ghazni, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Lewis's 2-75th Ranger Regiment.

*** Corrects day of return in 3rd graf to “Thursday”***
4/2 SBCT “main body” begins return from Iraq

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – The first flight of 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division’s Soldiers returning with their units from the brigade’s 15-month deployment to Iraq is expected to arrive on Thursday, May 29.

Approximately 250 Soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, part of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, will return to Fort Lewis and will be welcomed home by family and friends in a ceremony currently scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Soldiers Field House.

The majority of 4/2 SBCT’s Soldiers are scheduled to return to Fort Lewis over the next three weeks. The Soldiers who arrive home on Thursday make up the first flight of the brigade’s “main body” flights, on which most of the brigade’s Soldiers will return. A small “advance party” returned earlier this month to prepare for the rest of the brigade’s return, and a “trail party” will remain overseas until all of the brigade’s Soldiers and equipment have left the theater.

David Hardt

Visible and invisible wounds of war

You may look at a soldier who suffers from PTSD and think, “He seems perfectly normal.” For some the wounds are deep and penetrating, and for others the wounds are as clear as day. This Memorial Day weekend had me thinking back to the middle of May 2007, when I found myself shuffling through the monotonous days dealing with the actuality that we had been extended till September. In addition to being extended, we found out that our brother company down the road, fighting honorably, lost six men by roadside bomb. This was just the start of the death of that month. I took time to glance at what I wrote that day; reading that brought back a great deal of reflective emotion. The article on May 17, 2007, showed my further deterioration as a man and as a solid solider.
Today there are men all over this country doing the same thing, grieving and trying to find answers. The question is: Will we ever find the answers that we seek? The answer for everyone will be different. Some men seek the answer to why they survived the close IED while their brother next to them died or possibly the lucky sniper who took down the guy standing only inches away. Some deal with the painful guilt of killing young and old Iraqis, finding out later that the people they had killed were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some face nightmares that are so bad they cause them to fear sleep. Some men must drug themselves just so they can go to sleep. For some, going to the mall is like going on a mission — always on guard, ready to react. Men lose their trust in people or even the government for that matter. Men distance themselves from loved ones, finding it impossible to relate anymore. For some the tour is not over; it will never end. In the movies you see the credits acknowledging those who have contributed; in my mind my movie has no end, and the only credits I see are of those young boys, fathers, mothers who have fallen in battle.

Last week I barely scratched the surface of what I experienced on my first tour. The tragedy in my case is I am one who fell through the cracks in the mental health department, and later when things got increasingly worse and I felt things were spinning out of control, I found myself getting swallowed up in the unit’s training. The stigma from then hasn’t changed much, but men are becoming brave and saying, “I need help.” Last week I talked about how angry and disappointed I was in how things were going, but there’s one thing I have learned: I am not the only one who is scared to death that we men who have came out of the fold and are dealing with being ostracized are going to get a half-ass treatment and then kicked to the curb, because we are no longer combat effective. Last week I said that I was way past sitting in a circle and expressing my feelings, but guess what? I am sitting there along with some awesome, brave, hurting men. I found it rather funny that the health professionals knew who I was and that they had read my articles. In fact, as I walked by the conference room I noticed that there was a copy of The Ranger on the table, and the page was turned to my article.

Regardless if they know me or not, I am no different from those who are in that circle. I am there for one thing — to find answers. And some of those answers are coming from those in that circle. At this point in my life I am doing my best to follow the advice: “Take what you can from every moment you’re there.” That doesn’t mean sit there like a journalist and get stories, but rather learn to heal and try to find the answer. I have a long way to go, and I know that the men who are in that circle are on the very same lonely road. While on an early morning run this Memorial Day, I spent some time at the local cemetery. The flags were placed at the graves of the men who had served and some who had given their lives for this country. As I walked through the cemetery, I found myself thinking about all of the struggles and suffering these men had been through and how some of them probably dealt with the same demons I deal with. As I made my way out of the cemetery, I found myself doing what I do well, and that is talking to myself. “Who will tell these heroes’ stories,” I mumbled to myself. It was like a light had turned on in my head: “Who will tell the story of those like me?” I ran home and sat down at my computer. I tapped my finger on the keyboard, and then on the blank screen I typed the words, “Who will tell my story?”

This Memorial Day I was consumed with sadness over those who went before us and fought the fight and may have never had their stories told — the story after the war and what men go through. While in Iraq I wrote about fighting the fight and taking it to the enemy. Today, I started to write about what may be invisible to those who see me. Everyone has a different way of healing; this is mine.

I want to thank everyone for the overflow of e-mails I have received. The advice and encouragement have been uplifting. Some of you men have encouraged me to be the voice for those who have been forgotten. I am honored to do that responsibly, but I encourage every man to fight for what you deserve — just as you fought honorably abroad.

Matt McCool

The Tehachapi News has a piece on Fort Lewis's own Matt McCool.

William Troy's Memorial Day Editorial

We found this today....click here.

David Hardt on PTSD & Courage

It’s been awhile since I have really harped on anything, but last week I found myself getting revved up for good reasons. Since I am a so-called journalist, I spend a lot of time reading political sections of the newspaper as well as spending endless hours watching news. In doing that, I occasionally find direction for my column. Since my reason for writing is to responsibly share the story of the soldiers, as well as my own, I diligently pick and choose the subjects that I want to attack or, shall I say, investigate. The reason for that is because every time I get talking about hot topics there is always someone who just wants to shut me up and encourage me to stay in my lane. I have good news. I am in my lane, and anyone is welcome to join me — that is, if you can take the heat. In the last few months support for my writing has increased — as evidenced by the positive e-mails I receive and people coming up to me when I am out. The level of attack has almost ceased, causing me to worry that I’m not doing my job of bringing truth to the table about life in uniform. My goal is to write responsibly. The topic I am discussing this week will definitely encompass this word.

I opened the paper the other day and read that the government has started to implement a one-stop shop to possibly cure or at least help those of us who have PTSD. When I first read this it was almost like a joke. I commented to my wife, “Hey, from what I am reading, they’re going to treat us all the same, sit us in a circle like we are in AA, and we will just talk it all out.” My wife looked at me and laughed, “You in a circle talking it out; that would be entertaining.” In an effort to write responsibly, I have to admit that for some talking it out will suffice, and for others, listening to a recording of ocean waves crashing down will do the trick. But on a serious note, let’s be real about it. Some of us are far beyond that.

The Army Times has reported:
“Almost 59,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Army post-deployment health assessments have found that 20 percent of active-duty and 40 percent of reserve-component troops had symptoms of PTSD, and some experts say the real numbers could be much higher.”

Since I am included in these numbers, I have a front seat to what is really going on, and let me tell you, what I am seeing and experiencing is angering me and slowly discouraging me. I do my best to see both sides of the picture, because I am truly seeking treatment for my issues, but there are days when I just wonder: “Are men not seeking treatment because they know it is a joke or because they are afraid that they won’t be taken seriously?” I am very careful about asking people what they feel about programs they are in. Because each person’s road to healing is different, I don’t want to have a negative impact on someone’s progress. The people I have talked to are ones who have fallen through the cracks due to lack of attention. So whose fault is it? Should blame fall on the service member for not pushing to get help, or do we look at the heath care professionals who daily are packed with service members shuffling through the program and possibly lose track of those who are priority issues.

If you get anything from reading this article, my desire is for you to realize that if you are a service member who is seeking help you are the architect of your progression.

I met a man the other day who had just gotten out of treatment downtown; he was full of excitement that he had made the decision to reach out and seek help. As I stood across from him, I found him saying the same things that go through my head daily. For once in a long time, I connected to someone who was dealing with the same thing I was dealing with. I was moved to tears because his voice was full of conviction that what he was doing was the right thing regardless of what his peers were saying. This young man is making his way to the Warrior Transition Battalion. I hope to talk to him again someday. He mentioned that it was hard at first; he felt like he spent most of his time trying to convince people that he had an issue. People around him continuously thought he was faking it or that he was trying to get out of the Army. But it just so happened he really had issues. He made it clear to me that I am solely responsible for getting everything done; no one does anything unless you request it.

That was a couple of months ago. From that experience I learned a great deal about what he was talking about. I made a promise to friends and family that I was going to push the envelope in this healing process. I want treatment, but at the same time, I want those who are working with us to know we are not just a file number or a scheduled event on the calendar. Never in a million years did I think I would be a voice for those who shuffle through the halls of mental health, but if this is God’s big plan for me, then I am open and ready to do what I can do to help others to not sit silently in a corner and be forgotten but rather speak up and get what they deserve, and that is complete health care rendered with compassion and a sincere desire to help.
 
 

Clover Park sophomores to recreate Arlington National Cemetery

LAKEWOOD-Twenty-seven sophomore boys from Clover Park High School will recreate Arlington National Cemetery on the front lawn of the high school in honor of soldiers who have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The project fulfills the students' annual service learning and community service project, said Bryan Winkler, Clover Park High School teacher and Phoenix Academy sophomore advisor. "More importantly, the project has challenged these boys to think outside of themselves, improve their surroundings and work together towards a common goal."

Parker Paint donated 5,000 wooden paint stirring sticks and supplies. The sticks will be painted white and students will write the names of local, state and national soldiers who have lost their lives serving our country. As a tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the sticks will be spaced two-and-a-half feet apart-the exact stride length of the guards who watch over the tomb.

Students will set up the memorial Thursday, May 22 and it will be in place through Memorial Day.

In addition to honoring military men and women, students have spent time researching the Arlington National Cemetery and how it became a national shrine. More than half of the students involved in the project are connected to the military.

"These students are learning that the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers impact their families, the community, and our nation," said Winkler. "The impact and education from this project will travel beyond these students now and in the future. It will help to remind them that our way of living should not be taken for granted."

Memorial ceremony for Fort Lewis Soldier

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - Family, friends, Soldiers and the Fort Lewis community
will remember Pfc. Aaron J. Ward, in a memorial ceremony to be held
Wednesday, May 21 at 2 p.m. in the North Fort Chapel.

According to the Department of Defense, Ward, 19, of San Jacinto, Calif.,
died May 6 of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by small arms
fire during a cordon and search operation in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Ward
was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, which is part of the
504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade. The company
deployed to Iraq in May, 2007.

According to unit records, Ward enlisted April 17, 2007 at San Diego, Calif.
He reported to Fort Leonard Wood for initial entry training on July 18,
2007.

Upon graduation, he reported to Fort Lewis on Jan. 1, 2008, where he was
assigned to the 170th Military Police Co. He was posthumously promoted to
his present rank from his previously held rank of Private.

David Hardt

Last week I wrote about putting on the breaks and taking time to appreciate the things around you, and I have. Instead of pounding the streets day after day trying to get in those 50 miles a week, relentlessly getting in shape, getting ready to compete in the 10-mile trails, I start to look at the one person who has been there supporting my addiction — my very pregnant wife, Alicia. I could write an entire book on men dealing with their loved ones who are pregnant. The biggest thing I would advise young men to do is to take time to learn how to be a father before becoming a father. How do you do that, one may ask. Well, everyone has his own way of going about it. I find myself doing the following.

n Going on walks or field trips without dogs or camera.
n Reading or playing music to the baby.
n Giving backrubs. This is very important because any pregnant woman will tell you that her back is taking the brunt of the baby’s weight. When I give my wife a backrub it takes her mind off of things.
n I have been more attentive to her emotions. You have to pay close attention to the hormone roller coaster. My wife can be happy one moment, and in the next she’s giving me the evil eye.
n Cleaning the house. Cleaning the house can be a task for anyone, especially for a pregnant woman. Just stepping in and doing dishes and maybe even doing the laundry takes away the stressors.
n Adapting is really important. Hanging out with Alicia is like hanging out with a pro football team after a game — really, really hungry. It doesn’t matter what time it is; I get up and find some food or, to be more specific, her favorite dark chocolate. Once I brought her milk chocolate, and that is when the evil eye appeared. Whoops.
n Last and, in my opinion, the most important thing — spending time talking about the future and how we hope to lead little Madison in this fast and unpredictable world.

As the months have passed during this pregnancy, there have been many things that have occurred in my Army life — some very stressful and complicated. Daily I must sort things out and do reality checks. Coming back from Iraq was like coming back to a new world and a new life. Some good things have transpired, and some really bad things have crossed my path. The most important thing at this time is to learn how to be a father, and doing that has helped me to be a better husband. I know there are many things to learn about being a father. I know that I will have my daily ups and downs, but who doesn’t? I pray every day that the difficulties of my time in the Army and my experiences in Iraq in some way will make me stronger and wiser and will help me to lead by example. My wife is my mission from now on — like it should have been in the first place.

Chess Champion

Fort Lewis has a soldier headed to the big time in chess. Click here for the TNT's report.