Posted on 11/17/2006 7:51:53 PM PST by xjcsa
WATERLOO --- Here's a Chuck Norris fact:
What will it take to get a 14-year military veteran to re-enlist? One arm twist by Chuck Norris.
That's what it took to get Iowa Army National Guard Sgt. Tyce Oesterle to sign his name on the dotted line. He, and his arm, are fine.
Oesterle, a 1991 graduate of Waterloo West High School now living in Denver, is currently serving in Iraq with the Waterloo-based Iowa Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry --- the "Ironman Battalion." The soldiers have been performing convoy security in Iraq over the past year.
"My C.O. (commanding officer) got me into his office to talk to me about re-enlisting," Oesterle said, calling from Iraq. "I told him I did not want to re-enlist. I already had 14 years in," including three years' active duty and 11 with the Guard.
Another sergeant in Osterle's platoon asked him what it would take to re-enlist. "I said, 'For Chuck Norris, I'd re-enlist.' And of course, I never thought Chuck Norris would show up. It was one of those off the cuff things."
Norris did show up.
"It was in late October, we must have been coming back from a mission, and got back to our post here at (Camp) Al Asad, and they said, 'You won't believe it, but Chuck Norris is here.' He was doing a USO tour on the request of the Marines. The USO got wind of people up for re-enlisting, and me being one of them. So he made a special trip out to our post to do that.
"When I was signing the paper we sign to re-enlist, Chuck was standing right beside me. I just looked at him and said, 'Hey Chuck, do you mind putting me in an arm bar?' "
The resulting photo has made its way back to Waterloo, to Oesterle's friends and family, putting him in line for some good-natured ribbing from is 1/133rd buddies.
Norris, 66, the martial arts champion and actor perhaps best known for his long-running "Walker, Texas Ranger" television series, is a former U.S. Air Force military policeman and well known for his support of fellow Texan President George W. Bush and U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. His younger brother was killed in Vietnam.
Norris has enjoyed a pop-icon revival of late on the Internet, where the "Chuck Norris Facts" Web site has enjoyed wide popularity. He also recently received the Air Force's "Veteran of the Year" award.
Oesterle was asked for how long he re-enlisted.
"One year. The minimum," he said.
Oesterle, who serves as a truck commander on an armored security vehicle, was one of 11 soldiers in the Charlie Company of the 1/133rd to recently receive the Army's Combat Infantryman Badge -- the first time members of that company have been so honored since World War II.
The "Ironman Battalion," which traces its history back to the Civil War, earned its nickname for its consecutive number of days in combat in North Africa and Italy during World War II. Five hundred Iowa soldiers from various armories in the battalion, including its Waterloo headquarters, are serving in Iraq.
Two soldiers from the unit have been killed in combat --- Staff Sgt. Scott Nisely, 48, of Marshalltown and Spc. Kampha B. Sourivong, 20, of Iowa City. Two others --- Spc. Joshua Reece of Eldora and Sgt. Justin Abernathy of Hazleton --- were hospitalized with wounds from roadside bombs. The battalion has been in Iraq about six months and is anticipated to return sometime next spring.
Contact Pat Kinney at (319) 291-1484 or Pat.Kinney@wcfcourier.com
IBCNF
(That is a cool photo for him to have.)
I hope this guy is not married - if he already told his wife he wouldn't, he's gonna need more than Chuck to help him out ...
What side was he on at Waterloo?
Life imitates Internet humor. I love it.
America is not a republic. It's a Chucktatorship.
Barely beat you...two minutes!
Chuck Norris does not sleep, he waits.
Are you sure that's not Richard Dean Anderson?
I have ,and am looking at, a Stardust Hotel And Casino
door key (the credit card looking type) with Debbie Reynolds in a black belt and robe and Chuck Norris taking an elbow to the chops. It says " Debbie Reynolds and Chuck Norris*National Karate Championships,Stardust convention Center 1967. A true collectors card.......woohooooooooo
Sadly, though, the sergeant soon divorced his wife, explaining that he had become a "Chucksexual."
Chuck Norris is so awesome, he can speak in braille
The US found WMD in Iraq. Turns out it was just Chuck Norris out on a stroll.
Chuck Norris once registered a BAC of 100%. He made it home OK.
When Chuck Norris breathes, it contributes to the Greenhouse Effect.
Chuck Norris doesn't get zotted on FR. The Admin Moderator gets zotted by Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris really did beat Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.
Behind Chuck's beard isn't a chin, it's another fist.
Debbie took him in three falls.
Norris was so whipped by Reynolds he atones by fighting Christie Brinkley..........great job ,if you can get it.
Chuck Norris' tears have been known to cure cancer. Unfortunately, no one has ever seen him cry.
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