Notes from Norman

CHANGE OF COMMAND ADDRESS

O. K. I’ll admit it. I’m a proud father. My son is an officer in the United States Army. I just had to share his remarks when he recently relinquished battalion command – Norman

by Lt. Col. William E. Bales

It was the 22^nd of June 2006, Fort Bliss Texas, and there we were.

Distinguished Guests, Fellow soldiers thank you for joining us and supporting these soldiers today. COL Buhidar, thank you for your kind words and great leadership. Todd, welcome to the battalion and I wish you all the best. But today is not about either one of us. It is about the great continuity within our Army. The continuous readiness of the soldiers who stand on this field to answer the nations call to arms. And this ceremony celebrates that continuity.

When I stood on a field at Fort Hood, Texas 2 years ago to begin this great adventure, I knew three things: that there is an Almighty God of Heaven who works out the plans he has for us, plans for good and not for evil; that I have the greatest Army family ever; and that today is the best day of my life. As I said then, not because of any significant event, but because each day a man gets to stand in the presence of his heroes is the best that we can hope for this side of eternity. Today, those same three truths are firmly intact.

In his book Carnage and Culture, Victor Davis Hanson writes about the torpedo bomber pilots of the battle of Midway, who took inferior aircraft against a superior force, knowing that they would be decimated and have little effect on the Japanese fleet. But they knew that their sacrifice would enable a greater chance of success for their comrades in the dive bombers attacking from above. Of them he writes, “Even their names seem almost caricatures of an earlier stalwart American manhood – Max Leslie, Lem Massey, Wade McCluskey, Jack Waldron – doomed fighters who were not all young 18-year-old-conscripts, but often married and with children, enthusiastic rather than merely willing to fly their decrepit planes into a fiery end above the Japanese fleet, in a few seconds to orphan their families if need be to defend all they held dear. One wonders if an America of suburban, video-playing Nicoles, Ashleys, and Jasons shall ever see their like again.”

In this formation there are 3 Nicoles, 2 Ashleys, and 14 Jasons. I wager that every one of us in this formation has at some time played some sort of video based entertainment. But I have seen the answer to what Dr. Hansen seems worried about. That before you stands a next great generation of heroes and you need to know some of their stories.

In this formation are 22 single parents, including some of our key leaders. They did not ask to raise their children alone, but they rise every morning before most of us think about getting up, take their children from their slumber and take them to carefully chosen care givers, and they fall in for formation. They make special arrangements for their children’s care each time they go to the field or are called to war. They could leave the Army with an honorable discharge, but they choose the sacrifice of service over any other option. You are my heroes.

In this formation is a young soldier who came from a difficult past. He was expelled from school in 8^th grade, spent quite a bit of time in trouble as a young man, then joined the Army. He continued to struggle as he adapted to his new life as soldier, husband and father. One day, he asked if he could talk with me. Usually when that happens, there is a perceived problem with a leader, some serious financial hardship, or other trouble. He said to me, “Sir, you seem to have it together with this Army thing. I just can’t seem to get the hang of it. Can you tell me what I need to do to be a better soldier?” No complaining about leaders, no asking me to bend over backwards to get him out of a jam. Just an honest request to be a better servant of the nation. Today, he is a Specialist and one of our most aggressive and trusted maintainers. I don’t know about his judgement of character if he thinks I have it together, but you are my hero.

There is a soldier in our formation who came to the unit an uncertain and timid young lady. Within a short time, a person in position of authority harrased, abused, and assaulted her. With great trepidation, she brought her story forward, even as this experience negatively affected her behavior and duty performance. Courageously, she testified against him and sent him to jail, removing him as a threat to our formation. Under great stress, she improved her duty performance and was recently recognized and awarded for her superior duty performance. You are my hero.

There is a soldier in our formation who was referred to by some as worthless and a dirt bag. His chain of command sought his separation. A great command sergeant major pulled this young man aside, and took personal interest in teaching him how to straighten out his uniform, get to work on time, and improve his work ethic. His efforts were rewarded when this young man went from dirt bag chapter case to one of our finest new Sergeants. Tragically, shortly after his promotion, his father was brutally murdered. This horrific event stunned him emotionally, but he never stopped soldiering. And when he found out that he had inherited an enormous sum of money, we were certain he would depart the service and enjoy his new found wealth. To my amazement, he reenlisted. When asked why, he said, “Because this has been the greatest experience of my life. This is what is best for me. This is where I belong.” You are my hero.

There is a young soldier in our formation who came to us following his unit’s tour in Afghanistan. Because of his unique skill with a weapon, he was selected as a sniper for his battalion. He executed his duties with diligence and competence. He saved hundreds of his comrades lives on dozens of occasions by killing enemy personnel before they could harm his fellow soldiers. But the experience of being personally responsible for the deaths of many other human beings has taken a great toll on him. When he hears the sound of gun shots, or even a car backfiring, he is unable to sleep and unable to function the way he wants to. He fights through the pain and anguish every day to do his duty and he expressed to me that his only desire was to be able to continue to be a soldier and get back to the way he was. A brave American who traded his peace of mind for the lives of his fellow man and the service of his country. You are my hero.

There is a soldier in our formation, who was a Bradley gunner in Iraq. Executing his mission day in and day out in one of the most dangerous areas of that region. During a rapid response mission, his Bradley Linebacker struck an enormous improvised explosive device so powerful, that it ejected the turret out of the Bradley onto the road beside it. With the driver killed, the Bradley commander incapacitated, and himself wounded, he continued to attempt to report his situation from his seat in the now separated turret. No one would have questioned his leaving the service after that time. He and his family have endured a long rehabilitation and great mental anguish. A few months ago, he was passing a 1^st Cavalry Division motor pool where he saw a Bradley turret removed for maintenance. His emotional response, completely understandable, required other soldiers to assist him until he could come back to himself. And yet, he took on a new MOS, and recently reenlisted to stay in our Army. You are my hero.

So, Dr. Hanson, wonder no more. The American Army, and this battalion, filled with Nicole’s, Ashleys. Jasons, Bobs, Patricias, Jose’s, Steves and Judy’s have proved that they are more than capable, more than committed to the continued preservation of the nation. As I walk away, I carry their memories and stories seared into my heart. They will go with me every day. And their presence with me from now until the ending of the world will make every day the best day of my life.

May God bless and prosper each of you in your continued service to our great nation. This is Defender 6 Ancient off the net, I’ll see you on the high ground.

posted by Norman @ 1:50 PM