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A tribute for service members and families
michaelyon.blogspot.com./ ^
| 11/25/05
| michael lyon
Posted on 11/27/2005 8:20:29 PM PST by paltz
Friday, November 25, 2005
A tribute for service members and families
Many people say this is the most important photograph of the Iraq war. Some have called it "a national treasure." The image most completely embodies my experience throughout Iraq.
Countless people have asked for reprints, but I wanted to give the matter some thought. I did not want to diminish the symbolism of this photograph, and the American soldiers who risked their lives to save this little girl.
I more than espoused this belief, I lived it: I have not accepted advertisements on this site, and my first 7 months of work in Iraq were completely without compensation. When I reached the point where my equipment was ruined and my resources exhausted, I had to choose between stopping the work altogether or rethinking my independence. I solved both problems by accepting reader support.
When these soldiers finally returned to the United States after a year of hard fighting they asked my permission to present a copy of the photograph to Bruce Willis at “The Punishers’ Ball.” Of course, I agreed. I respect these men beyond simple description, and when I saw the photo so tastefully framed, I realized that it made a beautiful gift.
It occurred to me that even national treasures have practical costs associated with them. No one protests the admission fees or government supports that maintain and preserve their legacy. Museums don't diminish the value of art when they sell prints in a gift shop. I'm not claiming to be Picasso, and this blog is hardly the Louvre, but my readers have convinced me that this image inspires them and I've learned to listen to my readers.
I’ve decided to offer a limited number of signed photographs, available in two formats.
All will be signed and numbered by me. If you have difficulty with PayPal, or just prefer to send a check, please use the address provided with my profile section.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Show and Tell: A Photo Essay
I visited at least 50 schools all over Iraq.
These wonderful children greeted American soldiers at a school near Khanaqin close by the Iranian border.
The teachers could hardly contain the kids.
Iraqi kids love to talk with soldiers.
These kids have better school manners than I ever did!
Education is paramount in Iraq.
“Too much math!”
In this region, young girls and boys attend the same school.
Lost in a dream.
Missing a tooth?
Iraqi kids, showing they can count in English: I always felt like a movie star.
Some Iraqi girls are as confident as the boys.
Iraqi commanders consoling a child after an “event." From the news yesterday “Bomb in Khanaqin” I wonder how many of these children I may never laugh with again.
These children and their families are our allies.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Punishers' Ball
Deuce Four
On Ice: “The Punishers” are Back in Town
After a hard year of fighting and nation-building in northern Iraq, the Deuce Four has finally and completely returned home to the United States, where they threw a party to mark the occasion. Distinguished guests flew in to attend what was officially called the Redeployment Ball.
I flew from Iraq and stayed in the beautiful home of Command Sergeant Major Robert and Sandy Prosser. A clear stream runs through the Prossers’ backyard, and the salmon would soon be swimming up to spawn, trailed by the Bald Eagles that sometimes perch high in the trees above the stream. When I suggested to CSM Prosser that I might like to try to catch one of the salmon by hand, he said that it could lead to imprisonment or worse. I stayed away from the stream.
Approximately 1,200 guests attended the Ball, including luminaries like Bruce Willis and his brother David. The Deuce Four also welcomed producer Stephen Eads who worked with Bruce on many blockbusters, such as The Sixth Sense and Armageddon, to name a couple of their outstanding film projects. Also in attendance was the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jim MacMillan, who was nearly shot to pieces up in Mosul while with the Deuce Four. Luckily Jim came back with thousands of excellent photos but only one hole in his helmet from an enemy machine gun bullet.
But for this night, the luminaries were satellites orbiting war heroes, including those half-dozen soldiers who, like CSM Prosser, had recently received a Silver Star, and the 181 soldiers awarded Purple Hearts for wounds they received in combat.
Some of my neighbors in Mosul, gathering for a last night together.
Recon (pictured above) took heavy losses in Mosul, but inflicted much heavier. I will always remember and respect these men. This is one of the few photos not taken by Walt Gaya, shown kneeling far right. I was present when he was awarded his second Purple Heart for his second wound in Iraq. The bald-headed man in the middle, SFC Bowman, provided some much-needed counsel during critical moments in Iraq. SSG Mesa, standing on the far right, amazed the soldiers when he spoke Arabic in Mosul. Mesa is actually from Guam.
Some of Recon's finest weren't in the group shot but they were at the Ball in spirit.
This man, SSG Holt: what he did in Mosul might have earned him a Medal of Honor, had it killed him. Fortunately, he survived and received a Silver Star. Someday, I’ll tell his story.
With all those soldiers and loved ones in attendance, and the added glamour of movie stars, there was great interest by the press to attend the Ball, but no tickets to be had. Although the Pulitzer-winning photographer Jim MacMillan was present, Jim came to pay respects, not shoot photos. With no reporters or photographers on duty, it fell to me to record the evening. I asked Walt Gaya to take my camera and photograph the event. Walt was one of my neighbors in Iraq whose skills and interest in photography were the subject of one of my dispatches. Walt is still sporting a severely damaged eye from combat in Mosul, so any less-than-perfect photographs owe their imperfections to shrapnel.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer as shot through the shrapnel-charged eye of my friend Walt Gaya, whose plans to become a photo-journalist are only delayed not derailed.
There were more than 120 round tables, each seating ten people. The seating arrangements mirrored the unit rosters, so Alpha Company sat with Alpha Company, Recon with Recon, and so forth. I was personally torn between sitting with Recon or at table 1, but protocol demanded my place at a table that included the following:
The former Brigade Commander Colonel Robert Brown and his wife Patti; actor Bruce Willis; the Battalion Commander LTC Erik Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige; the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment and veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam; Col. (Ret) John S. Komp and his wife Nancy; recent Silver Star recipient Major Mark Bieger and his wife Amy; and, finally, me.
LTC Erik Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige. Kurilla was the last Deuce Four soldier wounded in Mosul.
Always giving orders: LTC Erik Kurilla is happiest when he is leading his men in the fight against terrorists. But here he shares a light moment with Bruce Willis. The waitress was nice, too.
Many paid respect to fallen comrades throughout the night, through speeches, toasts and often just coming to pause silently before the memorials.
The overwhelming joy of being home with families and friends was grounded by the permanent losses and severe battle scars of those who paid the highest price for the success of the mission. The ghosts of the fallen took their places alongside widows and family of the fallen comrades. One young wife, overtaken by despair, had taken her own life shortly after her husband died in Mosul. The widow of another soldier killed in an attack that I witnessed was left alone to parent four children. A mournful fog skirted the edge of the dance floor all night.
No greater gifts...
The evening began with toasts, to the Army, and to this and that—customary at such events--then proceeded to a video created by Deuce Four soldiers. As the footage of the battles for Mosul played on the two big screens, there was a sense that many of the wives and girlfriends were just realizing the severity of the violence through which their soldiers had fought.
Then came the speeches. Brigade Command Sergeant Major Adams took the podium—his retirement imminent—Adams happily clarified that he no longer felt compelled to moderate his words. With much humor punctuating the gravity of his remarks, CSM Adams said the Deuce Four was the best battalion he had ever seen in his entire 27 years in the military. Second place wasn’t even close. He went on to praise its commander, LTC Erik Kurilla, as the best Battalion Commander he has ever had seen—period.
As someone who has personally witnessed LTC Kurilla during close-quarters combat—killing terrorists right in front of me—I can attest that Kurilla is a steadfast leader, enthusiastic and relentless in battle with terrorists.
The Deuce Four also received the Valorous Unit Award. This is an important designation. Although the Deuce Four leadership was characteristically modest about it, I saw the actual citation, along with the handwritten note from 4-Star General George Casey that read, “This may have been the best brigade in Iraq. Their return from the November collapse in Mosul to elections was brilliant against very tough opposition.”
When Kurilla next approached the podium to congratulate his men on an outstanding fight, his limp betrayed the fact that he’d been shot in combat in Mosul. I witnessed three of the four bullets strike him in Mosul, but I also watched as he kept fighting while he bled.
The soldiers love this man. Bruce has been to Iraq, and was probably the safest man in America when he was surrounded by the Deuce Four Punishers.
Ever the master of the moment, Erik Kurilla turned the microphone over to Bruce Willis. Bruce had taken the time to fly in as a guest speaker to thank the members of the Deuce Four. He gave the most impassioned speech I can remember, using clear terms—including some well-selected profanities to describe terrorists—to express his admiration and support for the troops. Bruce’s speech was so accurate in his description of the war, and so charged with emotion, that he seemed ready to lead the troops himself back to Iraq; and they were ready to go.
Interestingly, I learned later—and I am not sure Bruce wants this to be known—Bruce actually tried to join the military to fight in this war but they told him he is too old. He doesn’t look too old. Not judging by the reaction of all the women in attendance at the ball that night.
While we are on the subject, Where do these guys get these beautiful women?
I was struck by the beauty of the wives and girlfriends I met. The men of the Deuce Four are courageous and excellent fighters, but few of them can aspire to the cover of GQ magazine. I just couldn’t imagine how so many ugly soldiers landed so many beautiful women; women who wanted their picture taken with Bruce Willis. Although it seemed that every woman in the place wanted a photo with Bruce, none of the soldiers seemed jealous. It was a spectacle for a while, but Bruce handled it with panache.
Good grief. Made me want to put on a fake uniform.
Women, women, women! Women clamor for heroes. Suddenly, I want to be a hero, but the room was flush with them.
Brandy and Mark Bush. He actually wants to go back to Iraq! Brandy married a real man, and now she must suffer him.
Major Mark Bieger and his wife Amy. Mark was awarded a Silver Star, but seeing him in action, and hearing from his men, it's clear he deserves a constellation of Silver Stars. The name Mark Bieger evokes respect.
As the speeches followed courses, and dessert finally came and cleared, the activity on the floor began to rise, as soldiers began to circulate and congratulate each other. Some of the soldiers who found their way to me talked of how happy they were to have survived, while others were already complaining of boredom with stateside life and were volunteering for assignments that would take them back to war.
Mark Bush inspired my dispatch “Angels Among Us.” Mark won't know it until he reads this caption, but occasionally when I had enough of combat, it was his inviting me to chow or just making small talk that made the difference in my decision to continue covering the war.
The music started, cuing the dancers. After hours of dancing, slowly, gradually, as swaying couples circled each other around the dance floor, the party began to wind down. Soldiers being soldiers, they headed out to private parties with their own platoons and squads. The crowd thinned slowly, until the evening drew itself to a bittersweet conclusion. For all the well-earned celebration, this ball marks the last time the Deuce Four that fought in Mosul ever will be together for such an event. Mostly breaking up now to different assignments, some are leaving the service, while others are trying to get back into the fight in Iraq. But by midnight, 5 November, 2005, the Deuce Four that had fought so hard to win the battle for Mosul had its final hurrah in Tacoma.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Americans Among Us
Walt Gaya
I had yelled goodbye to Walt just before the mission, and some hours later when a bomb tore through the bottom of his Stryker vehicle, every man in it--including Walt--was wounded.
Lying in the hospital, still in Iraq, Walt Gaya was in the United States Army, but he was not an American. Not on paper, anyway: Walt was born in Argentina. He survived the blast, but his new wounds would preclude his flight from Mosul to Baghdad in time to participate in a swearing-in ceremony that would have been his official welcome as a new American.
Sergeant Mark Bush, who was also wounded in the blast, told me that only angels could have saved them. The bomb ripped through armor like it was wet paper. That anyone survived seemed miraculous. Just after the blast, the stunned and knocked-out soldiers came back to consciousness, at first thinking they were dead or dying, but then realizing they'd made it through an attack. Walt Gaya's ears were severely damaged, shrapnel tore through his left eye. Every wounded man actually got out ready to fight.
I speculated that the automatic fire suppression system was a final defense that saved the men, but Mark Bush had other ideas. He told me about the angels of Ben Morton and Adam Plumondore, two soldiers who'd recently been killed in combat. Mark said Ben and Plum had become angels, and had raised their hands to block the blast.
Adam Plumondore
Many American soldiers are not actually citizens of the United States, but the "foreigners" in the US Army I got to know in Mosul didn't fight with any less commitment than those born in the US.
Shortly after the attack, when Walt was in the hospital in Mosul, Robert Prosser, the Command Sergeant Major of the "Deuce Four" battalion, came to check on his men. He found Walt more concerned about missing his citizenship ceremony than losing his eye. Walt had post-war plans to become a photo-journalist. Shortly after the blast, he'd written off that damaged eye, and his camera had been battered; but what mattered to Walt was his citizenship. When they flew Walt back to America he did miss the ceremony in Baghdad.
Antonio Castaneda is a reporter for the Associated Press. I saw him around Iraq from time to time. Tony spends much time on the battlefields of Iraq. He has the courage of a soldier. Reading his articles, I came to respect his work and him. When Tony came to Mosul I told him about Walt, hoping Tony might pick up on the story. Publicity might help Walt achieve his career goal, even with his newly injured eye. Tony eventually flew back to the United States, and from there wrote a story on Walt.
Suddenly Walt was all over the news: the internet, newspapers coast to coast, and even television. In telling an honest story about an interesting soldier named Walt Gaya, Tony also helped a wounded veteran.
Meanwhile, I was still in Iraq, and CSM Prosser and others were still fighting. One day we got into a fight in which the commander got shot down in front of us, and CSM Prosser fought so well that day, nearly getting himself killed in the process, that he was awarded a Silver Star. But LTC Erik Kurilla, who'd now been shot four times in Iraq (three bullets that day), was headed back to the United States, full of new holes. When Kurilla landed at Fort Lewis, he learned that one of his soldiers was still having problems with his citizenship. Kurilla began shepherding Walt through the normal bureaucracy.
Tony Castaneda stepped in again, and wrote another honest story about an interesting soldier, this time saying Walt's citizenship was being held up. Good grief--the power of the press! There was Walt again: on television, on the internet, in newspapers coast to coast. When I flew back to America to see some of the soldiers I had spent so much time with in Iraq, we spent a day to drive to Mount Rainer. I walked into a store and there was Walt on the front page of a Sunday paper!
Walt was everywhere, and people who now felt they knew Walt were angered because he wasn't getting his citizenship. I know the people were angry because some even contacted me about the problem with Walt's citizenship, while others said they wanted to buy him a new camera (it was reported in some places that his Leica had been blown up), and still others offered to hire Walt.
When I arrived at Fort Lewis, I found Walt standing in his commander's office. They were a pair: the commander still on crutches recovering from a few gunshot wounds--but expected to make a full recovery--and Walt with his semi-closed eye, planning for a career in photo-journalism. I asked about Walt's citizenship, and they assured me that the Army had taken control of the situation and there would be no further problems or delays.
Walt said that his very expensive Leica camera was not actually blown to pieces, but just scratched up with some minor internal damage. But he was deeply honored that so many people had offered to help, and he asked that I kindly tell the many people who had come to his defense, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." I told Walt that's our way of welcoming him to America.
Thank you, Walt.
Michael Yon, author of "Danger Close," is an independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq. His dispatches have the benefit of his life experiences without drawbacks based on deadlines or demands of marketplace. The cost of these dispatches is borne solely by Michael. Readers who enjoy these dispatches and want to support Michael's mission in Iraq, can make a contribution using the PayPal links which are activated when the "support the next dispatch" button is clicked.
Contributions can also be sent to:
Michael Yon P O Box 416 Westport Pt MA 02791 
RECENT MEDIA LINKS
For a complete list of media links CLICK HERE.
TOPICS: News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: deucefour; embeddedreport; iraq; michaelyon; militaryfamilies; oif; tribute; usmilitary
1
posted on
11/27/2005 8:20:33 PM PST
by
paltz
To: paltz
W-O-W, great post! (Typing through blurred vision)
God bless the men and women of the US military and their families!
2
posted on
11/27/2005 8:31:58 PM PST
by
Theresawithanh
(You'll get me to stop posting on FR when you wrench my laptop from my cold, dead fingers!)
To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..
3
posted on
11/27/2005 8:35:38 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: SandRat
4
posted on
11/27/2005 8:40:04 PM PST
by
luvie
(Our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. GWB11-11)
To: concretebob
5
posted on
11/27/2005 8:42:13 PM PST
by
paltz
To: paltz
America needs to know some heroes and Michael Yon does a great job reporting on the front. The media could get all the good stories in Iraq by just reading his blog and the milblogs. They are blind fools but by their own choice.
6
posted on
11/27/2005 8:54:34 PM PST
by
armymarinemom
(My sons freed Iraqi and Afghanistan Honor Roll students.)
To: paltz
Fabulous..
We are so blessed..
btt
7
posted on
11/27/2005 8:56:28 PM PST
by
TASMANIANRED
("You cannot kill hope with bombs and bullets." Sgt Clay.)
To: paltz
Terrific post..Bookmarking.
Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country!
8
posted on
11/27/2005 9:01:44 PM PST
by
MEG33
(GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
To: paltz
9
posted on
11/27/2005 9:14:26 PM PST
by
Khurkris
("Hell, I was there"...Elmer Keith.)
To: paltz
Taxman Bravo Zulu! for taking the time and having the interest in posting Michael's exceptional story!
10
posted on
11/27/2005 9:19:13 PM PST
by
Taxman
(So that the beautiful pressure does not diminish!)
To: SandRat
BEYOND WOW!!!!!
Because of men like these we can not lose. Because of spineless politicians, MSM morons and clueless celebrities we can lose.
11
posted on
11/27/2005 10:21:46 PM PST
by
hdstmf
(too)
To: paltz
Outstanding post with terrific links, paltz!
I could definitely see Bruce Willis playing the Honcho, LTC Kurilla; of The Punishers in his up-coming film.
Hope Bruce takes a few pointers from Mel Gibson and foots the bill for the film himself. Then stiff the studios on everything but distribution after its opening.
Jack.
12
posted on
11/27/2005 10:41:15 PM PST
by
Jack Deth
(Knight Errant and Disemboweler of the WFTD Thread)
To: SandRat
13
posted on
11/28/2005 5:10:00 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: SandRat
WOW! Just WOW!!! I'll second that emotion.
14
posted on
11/28/2005 6:31:39 AM PST
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸Ooooh...I think I over-medicated¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸)
To: paltz
Jeez, Lady..how about a hanky alert?
Seriously, GREAT POST..Thank you..
15
posted on
11/28/2005 9:53:34 AM PST
by
concretebob
(We should give anarchists what they want. Then we can kill them and not worry about jailtime.)
To: paltz
16
posted on
11/28/2005 9:56:34 AM PST
by
concretebob
(We should give anarchists what they want. Then we can kill them and not worry about jailtime.)
To: paltz
Simply wonderful ...thank you for all the work you did to compile this!
17
posted on
11/28/2005 12:22:21 PM PST
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
To: concretebob
I thought you'd like it, concrete.
18
posted on
11/28/2005 8:15:13 PM PST
by
paltz
To: paltz
19
posted on
12/27/2005 5:52:55 AM PST
by
The Mayor
( As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.)
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I visited at least 50 schools all over Iraq.
These wonderful children greeted American soldiers at a school near Khanaqin close by the Iranian border.
The teachers could hardly contain the kids.
Iraqi kids love to talk with soldiers.
These kids have better school manners than I ever did!
Education is paramount in Iraq.
“Too much math!”
In this region, young girls and boys attend the same school.
Lost in a dream.
Missing a tooth?
Iraqi kids, showing they can count in English: I always felt like a movie star.
Some Iraqi girls are as confident as the boys.
Iraqi commanders consoling a child after an “event." From the news yesterday “Bomb in Khanaqin” I wonder how many of these children I may never laugh with again.
On Ice: “The Punishers” are Back in Town
Some of my neighbors in Mosul, gathering for a last night together.
Some of Recon's finest weren't in the group shot but they were at the Ball in spirit.
This man, SSG Holt: what he did in Mosul might have earned him a Medal of Honor, had it killed him. Fortunately, he survived and received a Silver Star. Someday, I’ll tell his story.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer as shot through the shrapnel-charged eye of my friend Walt Gaya, whose plans to become a photo-journalist are only delayed not derailed.
LTC Erik Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige. Kurilla was the last Deuce Four soldier wounded in Mosul.
Always giving orders: LTC Erik Kurilla is happiest when he is leading his men in the fight against terrorists. But here he shares a light moment with Bruce Willis. The waitress was nice, too.
Many paid respect to fallen comrades throughout the night, through speeches, toasts and often just coming to pause silently before the memorials.
No greater gifts...
The soldiers love this man. Bruce has been to Iraq, and was probably the safest man in America when he was surrounded by the Deuce Four Punishers.
While we are on the subject, Where do these guys get these beautiful women?
Good grief. Made me want to put on a fake uniform.
Women, women, women! Women clamor for heroes. Suddenly, I want to be a hero, but the room was flush with them.
Brandy and Mark Bush. He actually wants to go back to Iraq! Brandy married a real man, and now she must suffer him.
Major Mark Bieger and his wife Amy. Mark was awarded a Silver Star, but seeing him in action, and hearing from his men, it's clear he deserves a constellation of Silver Stars. The name Mark Bieger evokes respect.
Mark Bush inspired my dispatch “Angels Among Us.” Mark won't know it until he reads this caption, but occasionally when I had enough of combat, it was his inviting me to chow or just making small talk that made the difference in my decision to continue covering the war.
Walt Gaya
Adam Plumondore
