Happy Veteran's Day

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Tom Crane

On this Veteran's Day, we stop for a minute to honor those who have served in our nation's armed forces.  During the two wars, the day assumes greater significance.  I have written in this space about my friend, 1SGT Carlos Saenz who was killed in Iraq when I was serving there.  I know to some people, the Veteran's day thing and Memorial Day both can seem likes days of sadness and mourning.  Yes, these days call for some mourning.  But, I have to say to those civilians with little or no military experience, it is terrible to lose someone.  But, we gain something, too. 

For most of us, serving overseas in a war zone is one of the most positive experiences we will ever have.  My friend, 1SGT Saenz was a very fine soldier.  He inspired all who worked with him.  If we measure success in life by making a difference, 1SGT Saenz lead a very fulfilling life his last 12 months on this earth.  I do not doubt that 1SGT Saenz and the other 4500 casualties of the two wars are looking down now on us with some satisfaction.  They gave their all up to the very last minute of their lives.  How many of us can claim we truly gave our very best effort in toward some great endeavor?  

Back when I played high school football, the coach was always fussing at us to give 110% every game and every practice.  The thing about serving in a war zone is that 99.9% of the players on our team do give 110% everyday.  My time in the war zone was intense and tense, everyday.  No job was too trivial, no job too small.  It all counted.  I am proud to say that we gave our all.  Everyone of us. 

HBO produced a wonderful series several years ago, Band of Brothers.  It recounted the experience of one infantry company from training in the US to deployment to the European theater.  The show captured the strong sense of comraderie and selflessness in a good military unit.  It was based on the book of the same name written by Stephen Ambrose.  The book captured one detail that spoke to me.  One soldier in the Band of Brothers was "Popeye" Wynn.  Popeye Wynn served with distinction during the war.  He was the soldier who apologized to his commander for getting wounded.  After the warm he returned home to Virginia.  His post-war life did not live up to his wartime success.  He said himself that the war brought out the best in him.  

The remarkable thing about good military service is that it will bring out the best in men and women.  Serving others makes you better than you are.  In Iraq, we served on a team of 150,000.  For a great many of us, it will be best thing we will ever do.  

Tags: , , ,

Memorial Day: Thank a Vet

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Tom Crane

 I published this last year.  A tribute to a friend and colleague we lost in Iraq. 

We all have different memories of Memorial Day.  Some remember hot dogs and trips to the lake.  Some remember a grandfather or uncle who served in World War II or Viet Nam.  I remember 1SGT Saenz.  We all met at Ft. Jackson on March 13, 2005.  We numbered a little over a hundred members of the  Individual Ready Reserve.  We reported to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for in-processing and reintroduction to the US Army.  We knew we would be deploying to Iraq.  Then MSGT Saenz had a huge laugh and a booming voice.  He  laughed a lot.  

Those first few days, some Reservists were angry about being called up. Some were happy to serve from the get-go.  MSGT Saenz seemed pretty happy to be where he was, preparing for responsibility in a war zone.  Later, as I learned, he performed very well and inspired his soldiers.  

He died in the dusty streets of Baghdad.  We were all leaving Iraq in just a couple of weeks when his HMMWV was struck by an IED.  He was out on a convoy training members of the incoming unit.  Some of his regular team members were not with him on that run. He died doing what he did very well: serving others. 

We should all serve our country half as well as 1SGT Saenz.  Rest easy, Top.  You did well. 

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cnsaenz.htm

Tags: , , ,

Memorial Day: Thank a Veteran

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Tom Crane

 We all have different memories of Memorial Day.  Some remember hot dogs and trips to the lake.  Some remember a grandfather or uncle who served in World War II or Viet Nam.  I remember 1SGT Saenz.  We all met at Ft. Jackson on March 13, 2005.  We numbered a little over a hundred members of the  Individual Ready Reserve.  We reported to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for in-processing and reintroduction to the US Army.  We knew we would be deploying to Iraq.  Then MSGT Saenz had a huge laugh and a booming voice.  He smiled and laughed a lot.  

Those first few days, some Reservists were angry about being called up. Some were happy to serve from the get-go.  MSGT Saenz seemed pretty happy to be where he was, preparing for responsibility in a war zone.  Later, as I learned, he performed very well and inspired his soldiers.  

He died on the dusty streets of Baghdad.  We were all leaving Iraq in just a couple of weeks when his HMMWV was struck by an IED.  He was out on a convoy training members of the incoming unit.  Some of his regular team members were not with him on that run. He died doing what he did very well: serving others. 

We should all serve our country half as well as 1SGT Saenz.  Rest easy, Top.  You did well. 

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cnsaenz.htm

Tags: , , ,