Help Me Raise $5000 for a Retreat For Wounded Veterans & Their Battle Buddies

A few of you may remember a few weeks ago that some co-workers and I, on a dare I might add, entered a pig wrestling event. I only agreed to do so if all of our co-workers collectively made donations to Defenders of Freedom. It was a huge success.

The goal is to put the pig up on the tire.

That's me in the red t-shirt behind the lady in yellow.  Yeah, I had the back end.  :)

I'm coming out of retirement to jump into a mud pit and wrestle one more pig on September 10th. This time I'm doing it in order to raise $5,000 for airfare to fly a group of Wounded Veterans and some of their battle buddies to Texas for a 4 day retreat. The Ranch, food, etc are being donated by a husband and wife who are incredible American Patriots and huge supporters of our active duty military personnel, Wounded, Veterans and their families.

The retreat is scheduled for mid October 2011 so we only have a few weeks to get this done.

I know times are financially tough right now for many of us and there are many requests for donations but please "sponsor" my pig wrestling event by donating what you can. $5.00, $10.00, $25,00, $100.00, etc.

If you've ever been around a Wounded Veteran or any Veteran you know that a few days together with battles buddies is about the best "medicine" there is.

Thank you for your consideration and please "share" this on facebook and/or your blog. For those who have friends, family, co-workers, etc who may want to donate please "share" on facebook or share this link direct to Defenders of Freedom.   If donating via the Defenders of Freedom website (versus facebook) once you 1) select an amount, 2) Add to cart, 3) click on "check out" please remember to 4) type Retreat towards the bottom of the page in the "How did you find out about Defenders of Freedom" line.  By typing Retreat there you will ensure that 100% of your donation goes towards this project.

If you prefer to donate by check you may do so via the following address:

Defenders of Freedom
706 Stratford Lane
Coppell, TX 75019

Please be sure to note "Retreat" on the memo line of your check.  All donations are tax deductible.


This fund raising event is endorsed by:

Ranger Up - (best darn t-shirts on the planet)
Blackfive -  (love my B5 guys!)
This Ain't Hell (Jonn's got a crush on me and I LOVE IT!  Plus he and TSO are more than awesome!)

SSG James Christen - Celebrating a Life Taken Way Too Soon

SSG James Christen, a former 173rd, 2-503 Battle Co and HHC Co Paratrooper who was currently serving with 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii was killed in action on July 19, 2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  SSG Christen's vehicle was hit by an IED.

Throughout the day and well into the night of Thursday August 18th former battle buddies and friends of James and Lauren made their way to Arlington, VA.  Most were on flights that were delayed.  Some arrived without luggage.  Others were delayed in cities on their way to Virginia.  But no one complained. 

Lauren talking with Jesse Murphree

Well into the night and Friday morning the group remembered James with one story after another.  Lauren, who is one of the strongest women I have ever met, added in a few stories of her own.  The laughs were endless as everyone recalled what an incredible wit and gift for sarcasm James possessed.

Lauren was enveloped in love but gave back as much as she got.

Towards the end of the evening (actually into Friday morning) Lauren's father, Bruce, told the story of the first time he met James.    

Bruce telling about his first meeting with James

We laughed and laughed.  I guess James really didn't make such a stellar impression that first meeting.  But Bruce gave him another shot.  Within months they were married.  Lauren and James were married for 8 years before his most untimely death in Afghanistan.  They were truly best friends.

Everyone I know who knew James has a huge hole in their heart right now.  Please keep Lauren, her family, James' family and all of the extended family, friends and his battle buddies in your prayers.  Above all please ALWAYS remember James for the Hero he is.  He gave everything he had for the nation.  The least we can do is remember him.

So today we will all gather at Arlington National Cemetery to lay James to rest and say our final good byes.

I Met Them - A Guest Post by Colin E. Kimball

I Met Them

The trip began with a wake up at 0300. A few last minute details of signing a condolence card, pressing a shirt, making a pot of coffee and gathering my wife and son for a wheels up departure at 0500. My Brother-in-Law arrived at the house on time and we departed in the midst of a soaking rain shower the likes of which we had not seen in several months of drought that has encumbered the State of Texas. To me it was if the Lord above was sharing his tears with us for the loss of so many brave young men and in my heart I know that to be true.

Along the route from Dallas to Shreveport, we encountered many Harley riders, replete with either American Legion, VFW or Patriot Guard emblems on display. We knew where they were headed. Like us, they also rose early in the O dark thirty hours to honor one of so many who fell from the sky in a far away land. We arrived at the home of the Gold Star Father still in my shorts and tee shirt, to extend our family condolences and present him with a special memento that could be used to honor his son in the hours ahead and hopefully one day restore his pride that is currently masked by the pain of his loss. A young Master Chief Petty Officer, whose distinct shoulder rank insignias did not fit his boyish appearance opened the door to greet us. I was taken aback by his youthful appearance that masked any pretence of an experienced elite warrior. Initially, I thought he was a Junior ROTC Cadet whose hair was a little past the Navy Grooming Standards, but when I shook his hand, I knew what he did for a living. Immediately after we arrived, a contingent of Navy Officers drove up in a mini-van as I stood by the Master Chief who held the door and granted all access. Due to the assemblage of honored guests who had travelled from far away places, my wife and I quickly concluded our greetings and departed so that men of honor could express their sympathy to a Gold Star Father and a sole surviving sibling.

After changing into a suit and tie, we travelled over to the Church to pay our respects to Chief Petty Officer Robert Reeves. The roads around the church were blocked by Police who came from as far as Baton Rouge. Additionally, hundreds of motorcycles lined the street as a secondary blockade for the Police. Patriots every one of them, came to protect the family from seeing vile protesters that sometimes show up, and to also pay their personal respects to a fallen warrior. The protesters never showed their face. Thank the Lord and the many patriots assembled for that! Large American Flags were posted on every fence post around the church, and small flags, planted the night before, lined the street from the church to the street of the Gold Star Father. Scores of Patriots stood at attention holding flags and lined the walkway from the parking lot and on both sides of the steps that lead to the Cathedral like church up on the top of the hill.

In the past, I have attended weddings and funerals in this prominent church that on this day was being used to honor and remember a very courageous Man and a local fallen son. Inside the church, it was standing room only. To say that the assemblage of sailors was impressive is an understatement, and I will leave it at that. Hollywood could not have scripted such a scene. One Officer delivered the first eulogy. The rank and collection of medals on his uniform were of the type rarely seen and they denoted that this was a man of considerable responsibility, travels and valor. But more than that, the intellect that he conveyed in a few words, far exceeded anything I have ever seen from a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. The grace and compassion he exhibited to the grieving family was so touching that if I had not seen him do it, I would have thought he was a Chaplain and not a leader of elite warriors. This valiant Officer reminded us all of the following “There is no Happiness without Freedom, and there is no Freedom without Courage” a quote from the ancient Greek philosopher Thucydides.

When the ceremony concluded, along with my wife, son, and Brother-in-Law we walked to the reception area to meet the men who knew Rob well. There is something about the subtle yet profound confidence that each of these men display by way they greet others, shake your hand, and hold themselves. They are Gentlemen in the truest sense of the word. Simply put, they do not call attention to themselves or wear their profession on their sleeve for the world to see, unless you see them in uniform. If you met one on the street you would never know what they do, but when you see them in a group, the subtle clues of their understated confidence become obvious. They have nothing to prove to anyone because they have already proven it to themselves. We should all take a lesson from these men and the level of commitment they have to us and each other.

I never knew Rob personally. His mother, God rest her soul, was a close friend of my Mother-in-Law. I did not know until we began our long journey that my Brother-in-Law knew Rob, and he took him on his first plane ride in his Cessna when Rob was 13. When telling this story to several of Robs team mates, more than one stated, “so you’re the one.” Obviously, there is a story here in the life of a man of many untold stories. A special man, who is one of many special men, that are greatly missed by many people. Rob went on to earn to his pilot’s license in his spare time which I am sure was a great skill for a man of his profession to have. My Brother-in-Law learned a powerful lesson on how the little things we do can sometimes impact another person’s life in meaningful ways.

I will never forget Rob and Jonas, his close friend from childhood, who with Rob and more than a score of other valiant warriors fell from the Sky in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Nor will I forget the many valiant men I met on that day, especially the young Master Chief who greeted me at the door and schooled me on the intricacies’ of Military Heraldry as practiced by the United States Navy. Chief if you read this, I am grateful for what you do and for your help with my freshman sized questions on Navy protocol. I will endeavor to use the information you shared to honor your fellow sailors in the most meaningful way I can. Master Chief, I purposefully never asked your name, not to be rude, but out of respect for what you do. Please know that I pray that your endeavors are greeted with victorious results. I am always and forever grateful for the work that you, your team mates, and all the men and women who wear the uniforms of the United States do for us.

There is a Navy recruiting poster that featured a prominent portrayal of Rob when he was in the challenging training it takes to earn the privilege of wearing the Trident of Navy Special Operations. The title of the Poster is “Courage.” Thucydides wrote about men like Chief Petty Officer Robert Reeves and Lieutenant Commander Jonas Kelsall and I take great comfort knowing that the courage Rob and Jonas demonstrated enriched their life with happiness and gave freedom to all of us. There were many other courageous folks present, including patriots outside and Robs “coworkers.” I was fortunate to have met them.
 
 

When the Wounded Warriors from Down Range Arrive at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

There won't be any photos in this post out of respect for the Wounded Warriors and their families.  I didn't take any photos.  As you read this post I hope you will understand why I didn't.

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of being at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) for a few days.  One morning I  witnessed the arrival of the Wounded Warriors from down range - Afghanistan and Iraq.  I won't lie, I had a lot of trepidation about this.  As it turned out it was one of the most difficult and poignant, yet heart warming events I've experienced.

The night before, while MaryAnn and I made her normal rounds in the hospital to visit the Wounded Warriors who were going out to the states the following day, word was that there weren't many casualties scheduled to arrive from down range the next day.  I knew that was great news!

The following morning was about as beautiful a day as one could ask for.  Blue skies.  Crisp temperatures.  Even for Germany that was a blessing in early July.  MaryAnn and I were up at the crack of dawn, literally, in order to get to the hospital to meet some of the outpatient Wounded Warriors for breakfast.  They ended up over sleeping but I got to spend a few minutes with them and say my good byes which was the point of breakfast anyway.

After leaving the Wounded men MaryAnn and I casually walked over towards the emergency room entrance and took a seat on a bench within eye shot of the emergency room but far away from where the ambulance buses, or ambuses for short, would come in and the staff would receive the wounded.  MaryAnn began to explain to me what I could expect to see; who would be dressed in what way (staff from ICU, man power staff, etc).  The man power staff are those who, in groups of eight, take the litters from the ambus and place them on the gurneys so the Wounded Warriors can be wheeled into the hospital.  MaryAnn explained that they are required to have eight people from man power because the litters can weight up to 750 pounds with the Wounded Warrior and the medical equipment he/she has with them.  I'm sure my jaw dropped open when she told me that.

We waited and waited and waited.  MaryAnn commented that the flight seemed to be unusually late that day but that you never really know when the flight(s) will arrive.  We noticed that several gurneys were rolled out from the emergency room exit and were placed under the awning where the ambulance(s) would arrive.  They kept bringing more gurneys.  Ugh!  I began to realize that the "word" there weren't many casualties from down range may have changed.

Finally the LNOs, hospital medical staff, PAO staff, chaplains, etc began to gather; Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, men in uniform from other nations.  They were all talking but no one was talking in a loud voice.  Many were comparing "notes" on clipboards.  My assumption was that they were comparing names, degree of injury and where that patient would be taken, branch of the military, etc. 

Long after we arrived an ambus (a bus sized ambulance) pulled up and everyone went into action.  There was so much going on I couldn't keep up with it.  A gurney was pulled to the ambulance.  Four people from man power stood on each side of the gurney.  The medical staff member who had attended the Wounded Warrior on the flight from Afghanistan or Iraq exited the ambus and came around to be with his patient.  He'd been up for HOURS caring for his patient in flight but had no hesitation in quickly getting to his patient.

I made a very wide walk around the perimeter to watch as they removed the patient from the ambus - being extremely careful not to be in any one's way.  The patient was moved to the door of the ambus.  I realized what MaryAnn meant about the "up to 750 pounds" with all of the medical equipment.  This Soldier was surrounded by and covered with so many machines I could barely see him/her.  With great precision and extreme care the man power team began to pull the litter from the ambus and pass it gently down the line to the next person on the team.  Once each of the eight member team had the litter in hand a muffled command was heard then the littler was placed on the gurney.  Immediately those "dressed" as identifiable from the ICU moved to the gurney and they, along with the medical flight person, raced into the hospital.

The ambus door was closed and the vehicle drove off but the staff remained in place indicating more incoming.  *sigh*

Sometime later a van pulled up at the emergency room.  About 6 or so "ambulatory" military personnel exited the van and moved around to the back to retrieve back packs and/or small duffel bags.  They were taken into the hospital by the LNOs via a different door than the emergency room.  These troops may have any myriad of reasons for being sent to LRMC from down range.  For example I met a Soldier a day or two before who was sent to LRMC for a biopsy on a suspicious growth.  I'm thrilled to report that the day after I returned from my trip I learned that his biopsy came back negative.  He was sent back down range.

The medical and other staff remained so we did, too.  A little while later another ambus pulled up and the staff all timed and synchronized movements.  It seemed so effortless.  My emotions bounced between thinking how incredibly professional and intensely careful they were (and they WERE) to thinking about how often they have done this and why.  The latter caused a huge knot in my stomach.

A gurney was moved in to place.  A litter appeared at the door of the ambus. The man power team passed the litter down the line without so much as a bump or jerk.  The litter was placed on the gurney. Someone with a clip board quickly moved forward but was finished with their task in mere seconds and the gurney was quickly rolled into the hospital via the emergency room door.  Repeat, Repeat. Repeat. 

On about the third repeat I noticed that once the litter was on the gurney the Chaplain would step forward, lean down and say something to the Wounded Warrior.  Even the Chaplain didn't dawdle.  As quickly as he stood up the gurney was whisked away into the hospital.

While I stood there waiting for the next ambus to pull up I reminded myself that on the other side of the hospital the same type of movement was taking place but in reverse.  The only difference was that those Wounded Warriors were being loaded into ambuses to be taken to the airfield at Ramstein Air Base to begin their journey back to the USA where they would be reunited with their loved ones and friends. In way too many cases, they would begin the long journey, not only of healing but, of learning to live so differently.  It was sobering.

The door was closed on the ambus but the remaining staff stayed in place.  There were still more gurneys lined up.  It's impossible to express in words what my emotions were at the sight of those remaining gurneys.  I kept purposely distracting myself by looking at the unit patches of the LNOs still standing by - attempting to identify the units.  Anything to keep my mind off of the fact that there were MORE Wounded Warriors coming.

I found myself feeling guilty that there were so many family members and friends thousands of miles away who would give most anything for the opportunity to lay their eyes on these men if only for a few seconds.  But I had asked to be there and I wasn't going to run away.  I wanted to be there to watch the staff.  Not to "look at" the Wounded Warriors.  As a matter of fact I made it a point NOT to look into the face of any of them.  I just felt it would be disrespectful to do so.

In time the final ambus (or so we thought) pulled up.  The same orchestrated movements began again with the same precision and ease.  As the second patient was lowered to the gurney the Chaplain approached along with a Soldier from another nation.  My guess is that he was there to translate for the Chaplain.  What a huge confirmation that we are not in these wars alone.

It was well after lunch at this point.  We had expected the first ambus to arrive around 8:30 AM but it didn't arrive until much later.  We were hungry so we decided to grab some lunch in the hospital before heading back to the outpatient barracks to unpack boxes, inventory, re-stock the shelves, etc.  After we finished lunch, and as we were walking down one of the long hallways in the hospital, we heard the public address system ask for all man power to make their way to the emergency room.    That only means one thing - more inconming wounded.  I felt my shoulders sink as we continued to walk to the outpatient barracks and I said a silent prayer for the Wounded Warriors and their families.

Here are some links that relate to this post.  None of the photos were taken during the time I was in Landstuhl.

MaryAnn writes about what it is like inside the ambus upon arrival at Landstuhl

A photo taken during arrival one day during the past few years

A photo taken of Wounded Warriors departing LRMC for the USA

I'm Still Here

Projects at work have me buried but love my job and will find a way to the rainbow.

Spending my evenings canning.  Haven't done that in years and am loving it.

I do have a couple of posts in the works.  Sorry for the delay but will be "back" soon.

Remembering 1LT Benjamin Hall, KIA Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan July 31, 2007

Please take a moment to remember and honor 1LT Hall today

1LT Benjamin Hall

28 December 1982 – 31 July 2007

Laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

Secton 60 Site 8648

1LT Hall was a platoon leader of Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, which is based in Vicenza, Italy during Operation Enduring Freedom VIII (OEF 8).  He had been in Afghanistan only 70 days when he was killed in action

"Everything he knew was the military," John Hall said. "His mother told him to be anything other than a soldier he said he wanted to serve his country."

The military is in the Halls' blood. John Hall is a retired Army colonel. Both of Hall's grandfathers served in World War II; his great-grandfather in World War I; and his great-great-grandfather was a Union soldier in the Civil War.

The 2005 Michigan Tech University graduate was a mentor to the cadets who served under him.  Professors and cadets at MTU remember him as "a solid foundation like a rock that everyone could depend on."  1LT Hall graduated at the top of his class and in the top 5% of all ROTC graduates nationwide.

"When the moment of truth came he was found out in the front exposed and leading his men" said LTC Todd Johnston said in 2007 during 1LT Hall's memorial service at Caserma Ederle in Italy.

Please take a minute to click on the two links at the bottom of this post to read more about what 1LT Hall's family, battle buddies and friends have to say about this amazing young man taken way too soon.

1LT Benjamin John Hall was born 28 December 1982 in Texas. The son of an Army Officer, 1LT Hall frequently moved from station to station living in both Europe and the United States. One of Ben’s greatest accomplishments as a child was earning the right to be an Eagle Scout.

After graduating from high school in 2001, he went on to higher education at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan earning his degree in International Relations in 2005. In June of the same year, 1LT Hall was commissioned into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry.

In April 2006, Ben Hall arrived to Vicenza, Italy and to the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, where he was assigned to 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry. He was then assigned to be the Platoon Leader for 2nd Platoon, Destined Company.

While serving as Platoon Leader, 1LT Hall participated in three Germany training deployments, multiple local training area deployments and he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII.

1LT Ben Hall’s awards include the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Expert Infantryman’s Badge. 1LT Hall has been submitted for the Bronze Star Medal in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII.
SOURCES for blog post:
Fredericksburg dot com
ArlingtonCemetery dot net

Gold Star Wife & Mother Receive Unexpected Gift From Men They've Never Met & Who Never Met Their Husband and Son

While at work today (25 July 2011) I received a text message that said, "Call me".  Since the text was from a Soldier I stepped outside to call and make sure nothing was wrong.  I can assure you that nothing was wrong.  As a matter of fact so very much was right. 

At first I wasn't sure what was coming, especially when 1SG Jon Hill began with, "I know you're probably going to cry when I tell you this story."  At the moment I didn't realize the excitement in his voice so I braced for the worst.

Before I get to the content of the phone call I probably should back up a few years.  During OEF XIII the 173rd, 1-91 Cavalry out of Schweinfurt, Germany was deployed to eastern Afghanistan.  A part of the Cavalry unit was assigned to an area near the village of Kamu in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  While on a patrol on 27 July 2007 men of the 1-91 came under attack by the enemy.  SSG Ryan Fritsche and MAJ Thomas G Bostick, Jr were killed by enemy fire.

FOB Naray was renamed FOB Bostick in honor and memory of MAJ Bostick.  OP (Observation Post) Fritsche was named in honor and memory of SSG Fritsche.

After a 15 month deployment the 173rd was replaced by 4th BDE, 4th ID out of Fort Carson, CO.  3-61 Cavalry (of 4-4) replaced 1-91 (of the 173rd) Cavalry in the AO.  Parts of 3-61 Cavalry were sent to COP Keating and OP Fritsche which over looked COP Keating.  1SG Hill and his men wanted to know about the Heros for whom OP Fritsche and COP Keating were named.  They did as much research as they could and one day made contact via email with SSG Fritsche's mother, Volitta.  As it turns out she had written a book about her son and sent them a copy to read.  Volitta has a website here.

On October 3, 2009 many of you will remember when an estimated 300 or more of the enemy attacked COP Keating and OP Fritsche in the early morning hours.  Eight Americans lost their lives that day and many other's lives were changed forever.  Many of you who read this blog came together in a matter of a couple of days to donate personal items such as socks, pillows, running shoes, toiletries, t shirts, etc. because all 56 survivors of the battle, known to the Army as the Battle of Kamdesh but to most of us as the Battle of COP Keating, lost all of their belongings as a result of most of the buildings burning.

The battle raged throughout the day.  Buildings caught on fire one after another.  Men were volunteering to give blood on the battle field so that the wounded could survive until they were medevaced.  Because of the intensity of the battle and the smoke from all of the fires it was impossible for medevac helicopters to arrive until night fell. 

Now back to the phone call I received from 1SG Hill today.  1SG Hill was SFC Hill during OEF IX.  He and his men were assigned to COP Keating and OP Fritsche.  One day after they arrived another Soldier, SSG John Francis, of 3-61 Cavalry was looking through a building and discovered this:

A beautiful white marble Memorial Stone that had been carefully wrapped in paper but, somehow, seemed to have been accidentally left behind when 1-91 left.  That would be understandable since the only access to OP Fritsche was on foot through high altitude and rough mountain terrain or via insertion by helicopter.  1SG Hill estimates the stone weights between 50 and 60 pounds.  SSG Francis called the discovery to the attention of 1SG Hill and others.  They agreed to place the stone at the entrance to the upper OP where the American's came and went.

After the fighting had subsided on 3-4 October 2009, 1SG Hill was at COP Keating.  He tells me that he cannot explain why but something kept pulling him back to the building that used to be the barracks for his platoon and him at COP Keating.  Although, as he described it, the building (made of mud) was like a furnace because of the intense heat from the fire that destroyed all of the contents, he continued to do a "walk through" of the building.  The roof was about to cave in,  but 1SG Hill decided to enter the building and check for anything that may have made it through the fire that should not be left behind for the enemy.  He walked in the darkness of the building moving his foot from side to side "feeling" through the ashes for anything that might be there.

Suddenly 1SG Hill felt his boot hit something.  With his light source he bent down, reached into the ashes and pulled out a Memorial bracelet with SSG Fritsche's name on it.  (Yeah, that's when the hairs stood up on my arms, too).  1SG Hill exited the building and radioed up to OP Fritsche to ask the men who were up there searching and destroying any information that didn't need to be in the hands of the enemy to be sure and extract the marble Memorial Stone.  As 1SG Hill told me today, there was no way he was leaving that stone behind for the enemy to deface and flaunt on the internet. 

The survivor's of 3-61 Cavalry were taken back to FOB Bostick.  The marble stone was taken with them.  Once at FOB Bostick the stone was carefully wrapped in layers of bubble wrap and placed in a Conex for shipment back to Fort Carson.

I'm not really clear why it took so long for the rest of this story to pan out.  I know the Conex's can take months to return to a unit's home base but....

The Conex arrived and SSG Francis retrieved SSG Fritsche's Memorial stone.  Again, I'm not really sure about the timeline on that.  1SG Hill told me today that for the past several months SSG Francis has been working diligently to get the Memorial stone in the hands of SSG Fritsche's widow and his mother who live in Indiana.

Not long before 1SG Hill called me today he received this email from SSG Fritsche's mother:

"Thanks to a soldier at Ft. Carson, Colorado named John Francis and the US Army, this 55/60lb marble memorial stone that was created by an unknown person or entity to mark the entrance of OP Fritsche in the mountains of Afghanistan near the Pakistan border has arrived at the post office in Martinsville to find its final resting place in Ryan’s home town.

John’s (SSG Francis) scout unit was sent to OP Fritsche in 2009 to search for enemy Taliban. The soldiers found this stone wrapped up laying in a building in a place that you can only be air dropped in or fight your way on foot up the rugged mountain side. They had no idea who had it made or how it found its way to such a remote place but they cleaned and mounted it at the entrance of OP Fritsche in honor of a fallen brother that they had never met.

In 2009 OP Fritsche and Camp Keating were both brutally attacked and the US lost 8 young men that day. Both bases were ultimately destroyed and abandon, but John’s First Sgt ask that the stone be brought back to safety with his unit.

July 27th marks the 4th anniversary of Ryan’s death. John has made it possible for the stone to arrive in Martinsville in memory and honor of that day.

Roger Coffin of Martinsville who is charge of the Morgan County War Memorial Park said it would be an honor for the stone which has traveled so far to find a permanent home in the War Memorial Park.

We invite anyone who would like to share this moment in memory of Ryan to meet with us at the Post Office at 1pm when we pick it up. Bette Nunn from the Reporter-Times and Roger Coffin will also be there.

Thank you and God Bless you John (SSG Francis) and First Sgt Hill for making this possible."

I just spoke with Volitta Fritsche, SSG Fritsche's mother.  I wanted to ask her if there was anything she would like for me to add to this story.  She said she wanted SSG Francis, 1SG Hill and all those involved in this to know how much she and her family appreciate them.  She looks forward to the day she will finally get to meet these men - strangers - who told her they brought the Memorial stone home because it was in honor of one of their brothers.

So today the memory of a fallen brother they didn't even know came full circle in Martinsville, Indiana thanks to the men of 3-61 Cavalry.  What I find even more interesting is that July 27th (just 2 days from now) is the day that Ryan's family was told. back in 2007, that he had been killed in action.  Mrs, Fritsche told me that the Army considers his "anniversary" to be July 29th because that is the day he was recovered but to the family July 27th will always be the day they remember as the day the husband, son and brother they loved so much was taken from them.  Way too soon.  Way too soon.

If anyone reading this knows men from 1-91 who served at OP Fritsche during OEF VIII please contact me.  I want to help Mrs. Fritsche and Ryan's widow, Brandi, find out who had the stone made in honor and memory of her son.

Brandi (Ryan's widow), TJ (Ryan's brother) and Volitta outside the Post Office today

Please take a minute to remember and honor Ryan.  Then do it again on Wednesday the 27th.  It is the very least we can do.

10 February 1984 – 27 July 2007

Bravo Troop , 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment

From the 173rd Airborne Fallen Heroes site:

SSG Ryan Fritsche was born on February 10, 1984 in Martinsville, Indiana. He entered into the U.S. Army on June 13, 2002 as an 11B. After basic training he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Meyer where he served in the ‘OLD GUARD’ as a fire team leader. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on August 01, 2006. On January 10th, 2007, SSG Fritsche came to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry and was assigned to the S-3 Section as the Schools NCO. He performed his assigned duties with meticulous care and attention, successfully sending Soldiers to various schools in preparation for OEF VII. Once in Afghanistan, SSG Fritsche became the assistant air NCO, helping with all critical air operations in TF Saber’s AO. After a month and a half at that position, SSG Fritsche gained the opportunity to join an Infantry Platoon and assumed duties as a squad leader for 2nd Platoon, Bravo Troop.

SSG Fritsche performed his duty whenever and wherever they needed him. Whether it was garrison duties as the schools NCO, assisting with all air operations on FOB Naray, or on the front lines in an Infantry platoon, SSG Fritsche worked with unprecedented vigor. He was hand-selected by the CSM to take on the responsibility of one of the Squadron’s most active squads in the Task Force. His quick progression to a line unit is only overshadowed by the fact that SSG Fritsche lost his father prior to his deployment and then lost his grandmother a week after arriving in Afghanistan. Even with the burdens of his personal tragedies, SSG Fritsche performed his duty unwaveringly. It was these examples of professionalism and loyalty that brought respect to those who came in contact with him.

SSG Fritsche loved his job and being in the Army. However, aside from work, SSG Fritsche enjoyed the outdoors, often mountain biking, hiking, or swimming during his free time. His PCS move to Germany brought on the new excitement of exploring the various castles scattered throughout the German countryside.

SSG Fritsche’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with 1 Knot, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Basic Airborne Parachutist Badge.