Posted on 08/21/2010 5:05:31 AM PDT by nuconvert
(Only Weeks Away From Coming Home)
Staff Sgt. Derek Farley lived an action-packed life, and loved every minute of it.
"He was someone who could see a situation and know he could handle it. He could see his way through it," said his father Kenneth Farley, 53. "He loved to make things go bang."
At age 17, Derek Farley already had made up his mind about his future, telling his parents that he had contacted a military recruiter who would speak to them about his choice. According to his father, the motivation was the feeling of camaraderie with other soldiers who shared his son's passion.
A Vietnam War veteran himself, Kenneth Farley knew there was no stopping his son.
"We saw that's what he wanted to do; we knew that," Kenneth Farley said. "He always made that clear, so we weren't really surprised. We respected his wishes. We wanted him to be what he wanted to be."
What Farley became was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, or EOD. It was Farley's job to try and defuse or disarm IEDs, or improvised explosive devices. Early on in his career, he preceded dignitaries, including the president, to locations to secure them and check for bombs.
-excerpt-
'Saving Soldiers' Lives'
He even was awarded a Purple Heart after blowing out his eardrum while detonating an explosive during his deployment. (in Iraq)
"He said, 'Mom, I'm going over there, I'm doing a job, I'm saving soldiers' lives so these boys can come home to their moms just like I'm going to come home to you,'" Carrie Farley said. "He was very proud of that. He saved many [lives]."
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/staff-sgt-derek-farley-dies-disarming-ied-dead-sacrifice-hero-bomb-proud-albandy-family-11449467
He is now the recipient of 2 Purple Hearts
No way will I be able to watch this. My son’s job is to sweep for IEDs in Afghanistan. He loves what he does, and especially loves his buddies.
Certainly understandable.
I was amazed his mother was able to hold it together so well to be able read his letter so soon after his death.
Farley became...an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, or EOD. It was Farley's job to try and defuse or disarm IEDs, or improvised explosive devices.
Thanks for posting. Prayers for the family.
This really hits home as my son did two tours in Iraq as a 0311 (Grunt, one each)
We were so thankful we got him home.
He is now able to hold a full time job - and support himself with very litle help from us.
Prayers up for family of this barave, brave man.
My grandson was a Tunnel Rat in Afghanistan. He is home now, but he loved doing what he did.
If it’s any consolation ED...I’m not going to watch the video, either!
Are we worthy of such young men ?
Thanks to his family for parenting such a fine person, and to Sgt Farley for his sacrifice.
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