It's been a week since I returned home from Ft. Campbell, KY visiting with my 1st son, Dan, a new US Army officer assigned there. It has taken me that long to collect my thoughts about my experience and then to take the time to write them down. I experienced a truly moving moment while my family was among the heroes of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The situation was not dramatic, just confirming of the quality of soldiers we have defending our country.
My son, Dan, was escorting me and my #2 son, Matt, through Dan's new area of assignment, the 506th Infantry Regiment, at Ft. Campbell. We wanted to snap some photos of the two of us around the regimental monument as I was assigned to the 506th in the '70s. As we pulled into the regimental headquarters area, Dan noticed that his Battalion Commander, Battalion Executive Officer and the Alpha Company Commander were gathered outside the HQ building. Now this was a Sunday morning around 11 am and this was not a regularly scheduled duty time.
After my son introduced me to the conclave I asked what brought them all together at this particular time. The Battalion Commander explained that one of the soldiers in Alpha Company had a family problem and it required the attention of the gathered officers. They were reluctant to discuss the details of the matter and I didn't push it any further. What made such an impression on me was that the high ranking officers of this soldier's unit thought enough of him to take the time out of their weekend to help him through this particular situation.
A Battalion Commander is charged with the responsibility for caring for at least 600 soldiers. Up until recently, I worked for a large corporation and you would be hard pressed to find a manager or supervisor responsible for 20 people, much less 600 souls, that would show the same commitment by helping an employee out on the weekend. The presence of those officers was like having a company CEO, COO and company president giving up time on their weekend to help out one of their employees. I don't think you would ever see that happen in the corporate world but that is standard operating procedure for our wonderful soldiers. It might not be what they wanted to do but it is part of their duty and responsibility to care for their comrades.
The end of the movie "The Bridges of Toko-Ri" (from a novel by James Michener) made a significant impression on me years ago when the admiral, played by Frederic March made a reflecting comment. After the aircraft carrier he was on lost one of their aviators ( naval flyers don't like to be called pilots) and crew the admiral asked, "Where do we get such people?" This was after one of the aviators was shot down and the other crewmen tried to retrieve the disabled aviator but they all died in the attempt. Those who lost their lives showed no regard for their personal welfare and only focused on the welfare of their comrades.
When I reflected on the situation at my son's new unit, I asked this same question, "Where do we get such people?" Fortunately, they are right here in our homes.
Like any father I have always considered my sons to be "special". It's a natural thing but I have found that my boys are exceptional and I can't tell you how proud that makes me feel. As I mentioned earlier, My #1 son, Dan, is an infantry lieutenant assigned to Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. This is the same battalion that was featured in Steven Ambrose's historical recounting "Band of Brothers". They were a band of brothers then and the tradition still lives on. I couldn't be prouder of him with his assignment as I provided very meager service with the same regiment during the 1970s. My #2 son, Matt, is attending Ohio University (Go, Bobcats!) and won a highly coveted Army ROTC scholarship. He will serve his country as an Army officer too upon graduation in 2010.
Dan is scheduled to deploy overseas in early 2008. You might be able to imagine the thoughts that run through my mind having fostered the concept of duty and honor within my boys. Have I put them in harm's way? Have I falsely pointed them toward service to an ungrateful nation? I think you can understand the kinds of questions I ask myself daily. I take full responsibility for pointing them in the direction they are traveling. I know deep in my heart that it is right though not easy.
Let me clarify that I refer to my sons as #1 and #2 in a strictly chronological manner and is no reference to my regard for them as I consider them both class A. Each of them was told early that as an American they have a responsibility to their country to earn the rights and privileges afforded by this wonderful land. I taught them this and this was reinforced by their mother and the evidence of my military service, both their grandfather's military service in WW2, and their great grandfather's service in WW1. Military service is not the only way to reinforce your commitment to this great country but it is a significant way for a young man to make his mark. Some will argue that comment and I give them every right to do so as I have earned MY right to make that comment.
My sons were National Honor Society members in high school and both were summer exchange students in Germany. I encouraged them to learn about other cultures and diverse points of view. Dan graduated from Kent State University Magna Cum Laude and you would be hard pressed to find a university in our area with more diverse social and cultural viewpoints. That helped him understand that the "fabric" of our country is woven with many materials so to speak. I tried to make sure that they had a view of all sides of our society. In high school, Dan and Matt lettered in varsity sports and earned the coveted Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America. I am also proud of the fact that they possess a wonderful sense of humor and consider themselves "regular guys". You couldn't tell them apart from any other kids and they are overwhelmed by text messages, hip hop music and computers. They just understand what a commitment is and what "Duty, Honor and Country" means. I just wish those qualities weren't so rare among our young citizens.
I am truly blessed. My sons are my heroes and they are your heroes too if you cherish being an American.
Proud dad,
Mike Huff
