Friday, April 25, 2014

Brian Collett

SP4 Collett
This is a short Q&A with a well-respected friend of mine. I've known Brian since he was in his early teens. I am very proud of the path he has chosen and I admire him a great deal. When he made his decision to join, I told him he was my hero. I meant that then, and I stand by it now. Thank you Brian for stepping up in service to our country, and thank you for being a friend.


Personal info 

-- My name is Brian Collett. I'm 22 years old and from San Jose, California. 

Tell me a little about your background.. School, interests, hobbies

-- I graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 2010. I joined the United States Army in August of 2011. I absolutely love to play and watch baseball. I enjoy San Francisco Giants games as well as watching minor league teams. I'm currently recruiting guys from Fort Bragg to get together and play pick up baseball games.   

Any family serve in the military? When, where, etc…

-- Yes. I have relatives on both sides of my family who served. As far as I can remember it's been all Army. Currently I have a cousin stationed at Ft. Hood and an uncle who is deployed. 

What made you decide to join the Army? Did you consider any other branches?

-- The Army gave me exactly what I wanted. I considered joining the Navy. 

What unit, etc are you in?

-- I am part of the 28th Combat Support Hospital, 44th Medical Brigade Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Where have you been stationed? Your thoughts on those bases?

-- I have been to a few other bases, but Fort Bragg has been my only official duty station. 

Any promotions, badges, medals, etc?

-- I am currently a Specialist(E-4)

What was your initial impression of the Army?

--At first It's a little overwhelming trying to take in the whole culture of the army. There's a lot to learn and you don't really stop learning. But once you've been in for a bit you get the hang of how things operate. It's truly something different than civilian life. 

Was basic hard or easy for you?

--Basic was easy. I was always in the right place, in the right uniform, at the right time. I did what I was told. That's all they ask of you. 

What has been the most enjoyable aspect of military life?
The least enjoyable?

--The most enjoyable part of military life is living and working with like-minded soldiers. There are times we disagree and bump heads, but at the end of the day you know the guy next to you has your back and you have his. The least enjoyable is standing in formation and listening to officers talk. Haha.

What are your military goals?

-- I want more than anything to become a Non-Commissioned Officer. They have the biggest and most intimate impact on Soldiers. They are responsible for preparing and grooming future NCOs. They hold a certain standard and I want to be part of it. 

Do you think you will be called for combat duty?

-- As a Pharmacy Technician it is unlikely I will be called for combat duty. My job is a support MOS(Military Occupational Specialty).  If I do change my MOS to a combat MOS I'm sure it'll happen eventually. 


Tell me about some of the positive people you serve with or under?
 What about some of the negative?

-- I learn so much from the good leaders over me. I see how they conduct themselves. I see how they treat soldiers. I aspire to like them. I also have a friend here who is a chaplain. He's a very godly man and an outstanding soldier. It's been a blessing to be able to interact with him often. I also see bad leaders and I tell myself I'll never be like that when I'm in a leadership position. 

Do you have any favorite historical military person? What about them interests you?

-- Major Richard "Dick" Winters. He was a man of faith and incredible courage. 

In your experience, how are you generally treated by civilians?

-- For the most part I'd say we're treated well by civilians. The ones who treat us the best are the retired vets. I feel like they love to see and talk to soldiers. They are always kind and leave us with some kind of good advice. 


Any final thoughts you’d like to share? 

I absolutely love this army and this country. I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to serve with America's men and women in uniform

We salute you SPC Collett. Thank you for your service!


Saturday, April 19, 2014

USS Iowa Remembered

25 years ago today, April 19th, 1989, the USS Iowa suffered an explosion in the number two 16 inch gun turret. As a result, 47 crewmen lost their lives. Today, we honor those who perished and vow to never let the sacrifice they made in service to the Navy and our country be forgotten.

Tung Thanh Adams
Fire Controlman 3rd class 
Alexandria, VA
Robert Wallace Backherms
Gunner's Mate 3rd class 
Ravenna, OH
Dwayne Collier Battle
Electrician's Mate, Fireman Apprentice
Rocky Mount, NC
Walter Scot Blakey
Gunner's Mate 3rd class 
Eaton Rapids, MI
Pete Edward Bopp
Gunner's Mate 3rd class 
Levittown, NY
Ramon Jarel Bradshaw
Seaman Recruit 
Tampa, FL
Philip Edward Buch
Lieutenant, Junior Grade 
Las Cruces, NM
Eric Ellis Casey
Seaman Apprentice 
Mt. Airy, NC
John Peter Cramer
Gunners Mate 2nd class 
Uniontown, PA
Milton Francis Devaul Jr.
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Solvay, NY
Leslie Allen Everhart Jr.
Seaman Apprentice 
Cary, NC
Gary John Fisk
Boatswains Mate 2nd class 
Oneida, NY
Tyrone Dwayne Foley
Seaman 
Bullard, TX
Robert James Gedeon III
Seaman Apprentice 
Lakewood, OH
Brian Wayne Gendron
Seaman Apprentice 
Madera, CA
John Leonard Goins
Seaman Recruit 
Columbus, OH
David L. Hanson
Electricians Mate 3rd class 
Perkins, SD
Ernest Edward Hanyecz
Gunners Mate 1st class 
Bordentown, NJ
Clayton Michael Hartwig
Gunners Mate 2nd class 
Cleveland, OH
Michael William Helton
Legalman 1st class 
Louisville, KY
Scott Alan Holt
Seaman Apprentice (SA)
Fort Meyers, FL
Reginald L. Johnson Jr.
Seaman Recruit 
Warrensville Heights, OH
Nathaniel Clifford Jones Jr.
Seaman Apprentice 
Buffalo, NY
Brian Robert Jones
Seaman 
Kennesaw, GA
Michael Shannon Justice
Seaman 
Matewan, WV
Edward J. Kimble
Seaman
Ft. Stockton, TX
Richard E. Lawrence
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Springfield, OH
Richard John Lewis
Fire Controlman, Seaman Apprentice 
Northville, MI
Jose Luis Martinez Jr.
Seaman Apprentice 
Hidalgo, TX
Todd Christopher McMullen
Boatswains Mate 3rd class 
Manheim, PA
Todd Edward Miller
Seaman Recruit 
Ligonier, PA
Robert Kenneth Morrison
Legalman 1st class 
Jacksonville, FL
Otis Levance Moses
Seaman 
Bridgeport, CN
Darin Andrew Ogden
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Shelbyville, IN
Ricky Ronald Peterson
Seaman 
Houston, MN
Mathew Ray Price
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Burnside, PA
Harold Earl Romine Jr.
Seaman Recruit 
Brandenton, FL
Geoffrey Scott Schelin
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Costa Mesa, CA
Heath Eugene Stillwagon
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Connellsville, PA
Todd Thomas Tatham
Seaman Recruit 
Wolcott, NY
Jack Ernest Thompson
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Greeneville, TN
Stephen J. Welden
Gunners Mate 2nd class 
Yukon, OK
James Darrell White
Gunners Mate 3rd class 
Norwalk, CA
Rodney Maurice White
Seaman Recruit 
Louisville, KY
Michael Robert Williams
Boatswains Mate 2nd class 
South Shore, KY
John Rodney Young
Seaman 
Rockhill, SC
Reginald Owen Ziegler
Senior Chief Gunners Mate 
Port Gibson, NY

 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

December 13, 1967

At 6:27 AM, on Wednesday, December 13, 1967, I drew my first breath. Every breath I have taken since that one has been as a citizen of the greatest country on Earth. The freedoms and opportunities that I have enjoyed, exist, in large part, because of the people who have fought and died for them.

On December 13, 1967, in a country halfway around the world, 22 of these men drew their last breaths in defense of these freedoms. I knew none of them. I only learned of their existence about 3 years ago when I was able to visit the Traveling Wall, a 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. I was overwhelmed.

These 22 men died in various ways, helicopter crashes, small arms, mortar attacks, accidental homicide, friendly fire, and others. The way they died is not very important when placed next to the way they lived. I've read many remembrances and tributes from families, friends, those they served with and those they led. Some served long careers and some served very short tours. They were drafted, they enlisted and some were career men. They served in a variety of branches and units. Very few similarities exist between them. One outstanding similarity does exist though, they served with honor.

None of them knew how much of an impact their last mission would have, when they set out that day. It left 22 families with a gaping hole in their hearts. It left countless friends in mourning. It changed the lives of many people who loved and respected them. It still affects many of them today. It was no small matter. This fact has weighed on me.

They deserve to be honored. They should never be overlooked, much less forgotten. They served and died with honor and they shall be remembered as such. It is with great respect that we call attention to these 22 souls who gave their lives for the cause of freedom.

Thank you for your service to our country. Know that your sacrifice was not in vain. Know that we breathe freely because of your commitment to that cause.

We salute:

Robert E Bennett III
Robert D Berta
Bruce H Bumgarner
Donald R Burgess
Grady I Carriker Jr
Clifford R Carter
Thomas W Cotton
Melvin E Crossman
John E Davis
Calvin D Dawkins
John W Fitzgerald Jr
Paul G Hamilton Jr
Lloyd L Hitchens
Richard D Jenks
Douglas R Johnson
Verne L Johnson Jr
Gene F Lee
Luis M Marquez-Lopez
Michael R McCord
Sim S Steverson
Kenneth R Stubblefield
James G Whaley