thought that it needed to be heard again. I thought that it needs to be
sent out to the public so that they can read. I am a soldier myself and
know exactly how this soldier feels. You have a lot more contacts on
the
civilian world than I do so I am hoping that you might send it out one
day on your list so that all Americans can see the picture of a good
soldier and the little things that a military man sees. Thank you for
your time and consideration of this letter."
SGT Scott Madden (Redwhtblu@juno.com)
"A SOLDIERS ACCOUNT"
Dear America:
I am writing this letter to extend thanks to all the American
people who still, despite the
recent headlines undermining the ethics and morality of the military,
understand that our jobs and way of life are necessary to preserve the
"American" way of life. I once thought that "America" viewed us as
most
media portrays us; immoral, unethical, and uncivilized. My recent
travels led me to conclude that the opposite is true. You, the
American
people, that honor and respect what we do, deserve a public "thank
you."
Just a few weeks ago, a tragedy embedded itself in the tall
evergreen forests at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk,
LA. As a tank slowly slalomed through the trees after sunset on January
14, 1998, the tank commander fell victim to the inherent danger of the
military. SGT(P) Donald Wayne Slover passed away that night as he was
guiding his tank through the thickest of trees, fog, and rain. The
tank's edge clipped and uprooted a tree, which sent it crashing to the
ground. The medics, arriving on site only minutes later, felt SGT(P)
Slover's last pulse.
As one of two military escorts, I was required to accompany the
remains from the training area to the burial site, ensuring the proper
and unimpaired delivery to the next of kin. The obligation required a
two day journey from Fort Hood, TX, to Williamsburg, KY, via Fort Polk,
LA. Loading, unloading, and transportation of the remains required our
physical presence. This particular trip entailed a three hour van ride,
a connecting flight in Atlanta in route to Knoxville, and a 1 hour drive
to Williamsburg, KY.
Upon boarding our initial flight out of Houston we informed the
flight attendant of our duties. After explaining that it was necessary
for us to depart the plane first upon landing (so as not to
delay the cargo personnel unloading the casket), two gentlemen offered
their seats in the first row of the plane for our last row seats. This
gesture left me speechless. I'm not so sure they even knew our purpose
for having to be first off the plane, but with no questions
immediately
sacrificed their front row seats.
After arriving in Atlanta, we were escorted by airport personnel
off the plane and down to the tarmac. Standing in our dress green
uniforms, we watched as the airline employees carefully unloaded the
casket onto the cargo truck. The truck drove off to the departing gate
and we made our way back inside the terminal. We met the cargo truck
at
the departure gate and again were escorted down to the tarmac to
supervise the loading of our final flight. Following the loading, we
turned and headed back to the terminal. As we made that walk, I
noticed that we were being watched by the crowd awaiting the outbound
flight. Not thinking much about it at the time, I scurried out of the
cold and awaited the boarding call.
We boarded the plane and again informed the flight attendant of
our duties and departure requirements. The flight was booked, every
seat filled, and she told us that she would make an announcement upon
landing that we were to exit the plane first. Having been on full
flights before, I was for certain that this announcement would be
ignored. Passengers are normally elbow deep in the overhead
compartments
as soon as the wheels touch the ground. I was 100% positive I would be
the last person off that flight. But I took my seat in the back of the
plane, my partner 10 rows in front, and with all of my military skills
tried to devise a plan that could project me to the front of that plane
upon landing. I concluded that even generals would have a rough time
planning such an operation.
As the plane touched down in Knoxville, the flight attendant
gave
the standard "keep your seat-belts fastened until the captain turns off
the seat-belt sign" announcement. She then led into the fact that two
military escorts were on-board and that everyone must remain in their
seats until we departed the plane. The plane parked and to my
astonishment, not a soul moved. I'd never witnessed such absolute
silence in my life. Many of the passengers turned their heads to the
rear of the plane but not a sound was made as myself and the other
escort
donned our jackets, grabbed our bags, and headed down the aisle. I
realized then that all eyes were on us. As we neared the exit an older
gentleman leaned toward us and broke the silence with something I will
never forget, "God bless you both." he said.
I am, sir, most truly blessed. I have been afforded the
opportunity to work alongside some of the greatest sons and daughters
of
our nation. We know and understand that each day presents the
possibility of injury and/or death and we take all precautions to
prevent
them. But we sacrifice that possibility because you depend on us. We
train through the roughest of conditions, with minimum sleep and
limited
resources, anywhere at anytime, to ensure we are always ready. We, sir,
are most honored that you entrust us to defend your country.
So I'm writing this letter to say thanks. Thank you Delta
Airlines, thank you gentlemen for your seats, thank you sir for your
blessings, and thank you America for your support. You see... we as
soldiers don't expect you to understand the ways in which we live,
train, and fight; we just ask for a thank you from time to time. A
little appreciation from the people we're defending weighs more than a
chestful of awards and medals.
SGT(P) Donald Wayne Slover gave his life training to defend the
very code of morality and ethics he exemplified and believed in.
SGT(P) Slover believed in the Army and his country. I worked alongside
SGT(P) Slover for over a year. He was good at his job and he loved it.
He never complained and always did what was asked of him. SGT(P)
Slover always maintained the courage of his convictions. I hope he
lied
to rest knowing he was appreciated. If not, we failed as a nation and
we
owe it to him.
SGT(P) Slover...thank you! You will be missed!
Daniel Ashley
1-10 Cavalry
READY AND FORWARD