Originally posted by ASENCO: You know I think this whole thread needs to be deleted, if you want a story go there get our own, the first time I saw this topic I was like WTF???
Want a war story about someones buddy getting killed, just how messed up are you? Is your chair getting the best of you? Delete this THREAD>>>>>>>>>>>>
Let me start off by saying, if you don't like the thread, simply do not click on the link, and do not contribute to it. I don't like spinach, therefore I do not eat it, problem solved, catch my drift. Second trading war stories isn't something Soldiers do for kudos, those who died down range, in my opinion didn't wake up that morning saying to themselves "I'm going to die today, and people will remember how great I was". It's a part of the healing process for those of us who were lucky enough to come home alive, and in a way, it honors those who did die out there. We keep their memory alive, and through their death, we learn to appreciate life that much more. As far as the comment "is your chair getting the best of you", if you take a look at the thread, you will see that we've all been deployed. No matter if you've been once, twice, three times, or if you are there now. Exactly who are you to say "if you want a war story go there get your own", as if we haven't already.
Originally posted by ASENCO: You know I think this whole thread needs to be deleted, if you want a story go there get our own, the first time I saw this topic I was like WTF???
Want a war story about someones buddy getting killed, just how messed up are you? Is your chair getting the best of you? Delete this THREAD>>>>>>>>>>>>
You know, I don't get an opportunity to voice my opinion very often, so thank you ASENCO for inspiring me to voice it now ...
ASENCO, you are an idiot!
Who the hell do YOU think YOU are telling Soldiers what they can and cannot post? You obviously missed the entire reason for the thread. You can take your idiotic comments and DELETE YOUR USERNAME!
If you decide to hang around this community, you would be welcomed back if you simply grow up and apologize to the Soldiers you've offended that shared their personal stories from friends/relatives or acquaintances from the wars.
my comment was towards you, ArmyReenlistment... As far as the main reason you made this post yeah I guess I did miss it... you said something about how your sister best friends third cousin being deployed... where did the stories about someone's buddy getting killed or wounded come in??? I think you need to get to the sand box and hold on of your soldiers in your arms as they bleed to death and come back and post what you saw and what you did. When you have seen some of your buddies killed or wounded I would like to see you come back the same... and then have someone who has never fired and shot in combat ask you about your buddes that died. Anyone you has been there and seen that will understand where I am coming from... As far as me saying what you can and can not post how about having some respect for those that have paid the price..
I have not even started with the name calling because I believe it is beneath me to do so as a NCO. But I guess it is on the same level for you. Call me what you will but my stories are my nightmares. maybe your right maybe this isnt the forum for me.
Originally posted by ASENCO: I think you need to get to the sand box
ASENCO, you know NOTHING about me, where I've been, or what I've seen; but yet you feel the need to try to categorize me for starting a thread for others to share stories about personal experiences from the wars while you simply want to pound your chest.
quote:
Originally posted by ASENCO: I think you need to get to the sand box and hold on of your soldiers in your arms as they bleed to death and come back and post what you saw and what you did.
Again, you now absolutely nothing and you come here with assumptions. Also, if this is the kind of personal experience you'd like to share, this community will except it.
quote:
Originally posted by ASENCO: and then have someone who has never fired and shot in combat ask you about your buddes that died. Anyone you has been there and seen that will understand where I am coming from...
This thread is NOT about whose stuff is bigger or better, it's about sharing personal experiences from the war; Soldiers don't have to be on the front lines to be effected and Soldiers don't have to stand by and watch their Soldiers die to post here.
Now, as far as this discussion in this thread, it's over. No one wants YOU to hijack this thread just so you can toot your horn. If you'd like ti discuss something, begin your own thread and see what others have to say.
Originally posted by ASENCO: When you have seen some of your buddies killed or wounded I would like to see you come back the same... and then have someone who has never fired and shot in combat ask you about your buddes that died. Anyone you has been there and seen that will understand where I am coming from...
I've was down range with the 82nd ABN in 2004, we had three killed via IED, and a suicide. I'm a combat medic, so believe me I've seen it up close with my hands elbow deep in it. I been there and I've seen it, and yet I have no earthly idea where you're coming from. Because the subject is too intense for you, you think the thread should be deleted? Negative, if you don't like what's on TV change the channel, no one on this forum will fold to your will, that much I can assure you.
I hope it's alright if I post a story about my friend. First..God bless them all..Their all warriors.
"We miss them but we never lose them". My cousin Donnie's best friend J got hit with an IED three weeks ago. J's both ear drums we're shattered and his hearing is shot. J suffers with a grade three concussion..his third ...and his left ankle is gone...June has his life and is resting up..He wants to stay in the fight and go back to Iraq...
Spc. Nightflyer. Spec 4 Mafia Army Aviation Air Assualt. Black berets forever.
Nightflyer. Army Avaition. Highspeed. Black berets forever.
Posts: 60 | Location: Home of the show 7th & 33rd | Registered: 31 July 2006
ASENCO; Ain't you a pearl..You got a right to be heard..But not to the point where it gets too out of hand..The guys in my unit..right now are standing beside me and we feel this thread needs to be here..We thank you ArmyReenlistment. We're all Doggs..We're drinking cold ones..And we all agree it's time for you asenco, to ratchet down and stop preventing other soldiers a chance to be heard.Good to go?
We respect your voice Asenco.Belive me we do.It's a tough time for us all..But we're in it together... We're all brothers here and it's time we stand together against all...We're all Doggs.Highspeed. It's always a honor to remember the ones who have fallen defending our country..Never to be forgotten..
Spc. Nightflyer. Spec 4 Mafia Army Aviation Air Assualt. Black berets forever.
Nightflyer. Army Avaition. Highspeed. Black berets forever.
Posts: 60 | Location: Home of the show 7th & 33rd | Registered: 31 July 2006
Originally posted by ASENCO: my comment was towards you, ArmyReenlistment... As far as the main reason you made this post yeah I guess I did miss it... you said something about how your sister best friends third cousin being deployed... where did the stories about someone's buddy getting killed or wounded come in??? I think you need to get to the sand box and hold on of your soldiers in your arms as they bleed to death and come back and post what
you saw and what you did. When you have seen some of your buddies killed or wounded I would like to see you come back the same... and then have someone who has never fired and shot in combat ask you about your buddes that died. Anyone you has been there and seen that will understand where I am coming from... As far as me saying what you can and can not post how about having some respect for those that have paid the price..
I have not even started with the name calling because I believe it is beneath me to do so as a NCO. But I guess it is on the same level for you. Call me what you will but my stories are my nightmares. maybe your right maybe this isnt the forum for me.
It's a crying shame that you started all that BS on the very day that a good friend of mine was killed by an IED...
SSG Laurent West (19D) was a friend of mine, KIA in Iraq on March 11. We served together in Ltrp/3/3ACR, Ft. Carson.
I'll be wearing a memorial bracelet in his honor soon, so I can remember that there are outstanding soldiers like him, even if I can't see any of them in my AO.
Despite the drama, this thread is honoring these fallen soldiers, and if I were to die, I would want everyone to remember me. I've found my own way of dealing with my future in the military, Being a future infantry/airborne, I have to tell myself the truth. The truth is, within the next year, no matter what, as long as I am still in the Army without having to leave due to training injuries, I WILL be shot at, or have my life along with other soldiers lives in danger. I'm only 18, and I've had to talk to my parents already about the "what if's" about me going into combat. Being 18, single, I don't have kids. It really bugs me when fathers or mothers die in any war, because somehow I feel that I should have been there to take their place, never the less, I am scared of dying.
One quote that I think makes me feel better, and seriously makes me honor fallen soldiers every chance I get, is this quote from General George S. Patton. "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
These 36 days until basic training are driving me nuts, I'm ready to go right now, but I have to graduate HS first. I can't imagine losing a best friend in combat, and even after that, dealing with the loss forever. My uncle still mourns his fallen soldiers on memorial day like it happened yesterday. You are all very courageous, and I am deeply sorry for your loss. It's a shame that people criticize this war, making it seem like it is already lost. I have zero tolerance for anyone who demeans the service of fallen soldiers.
Please excuse any of my statements if they seem foolish to you, remember, I'm not even a private just yet. But I do however, think my views of the military and fallen soldiers will stay the same throughout my military career. Hooah.
Bernard was a Soldier of the utmost caliber. He had a college degree but joined his country in the fight against terrorism. He loved heavy metal 80s bands, God, Catholicism, and interacting with people. Even though we were in civilian clothes and were on a first name basis, he couldn't bring himself to call me "Matthew." He always called me Sergeant even though we weren't supposed to give out ranks.
When the NCOIC of RC East in Afghanistan left the AO, I was thrust into the position...which meant being the overall authority for interrogation approvals in all of eastern Afghanistan. I was in charge of three other detention facilities besides my own.
Bernard was the only interrogator at FOB Ghazni (usually there are two in each facility but the other Soldier was in Bagram at the time) and was going outside the wire to conduct tactical questioning at a mosque in town. When there is only one interrogator, the interrogator is not supposed go on mission because he/she must stay at the facility in case a detainee arrives. I think what happened was he was pressured to leave the FOB by the local commander...but anyhow...
His infantry unit was attacked, and he volunteered/was asked nicely by the infantry commander to go along to conduct TQ in support of that mission. Usually the Tac HUMINT Team there would go but the commander didn't trust them and thought they were lazy.
So he went...and I had no idea. That is, until I got a call in the morning from my commander in Bagram asking if I had heard from him because on the SIGACTS they had saw an IED near Ghazni. I checked with our MED Officer and S3-Air element and confirmed that Bernard was inbound to our CSH via Blackhawk.
He landed and I helped take him off the bird. He was unconscious. We took him into the field hospital and the doctors went to work. They cut off his clothes and attempted to revive him but they never did figure out what his exact internal injury was. He never recovered. I watched him die right there after 45 minutes.
Usually when the MEDEVAC brings patients to the hospital, it keeps the rotors running and then takes them onto Bagram once they are stabilized. This time the helicopter left with the patient still in the hospital...it was the most devastating sound and event in my entire life. Every time I hear a helicopter I think of that moment and the look on the surgeon's face as he shook his head at one of the nurses.
If you go to the MySpace profile in my signature, and then go to my videos...I have a fallen comrades video from Afghanistan. He is about halfway through. I would love it if you watched it.
NOTE: I edited the post to make it more about the situation and not about the circumstances.
I spent about 4 or 5 weeks in Ghazni when I was with the 55th Combat Camera. I remember Bernard, we use to talk after missions and just fondly tell stories about college life, how much we both liked Manowar and would watch the NBA playoffs together, even though I didnt like basketball. He was a real good kid.
When I returned to Bagram after he was killed I had to cover his memorial service, ramp ceremony and make his memorial video. I also covered the service at Ghazni. Those were the hardest missions I ever covered. I had only known him a few weeks at best, but he made quite an impact on me and his loss was deeply felt.
SFC Kristopher Montgomery KIA Afghanistan OEF I. I don't know the complete story behind his death nor does his wife and two kids that were left behind. SFC Montgomery was my mentor and the reason I'm in the Army today. His wife Elizabeth and Son KJ (Kristopher Jr) Daughter Kayla miss him everyday. I still keep in contact with him. The worst thing about the whole situation is that my mentor and reasoning for coming into the Army was KIA in Afghanistan and now I'm serving here. Everytime something bad happens here his memories pass through my head. But, still and I will always be Proud to Serve.
"Proud To Serve" Lab Leads The Way
Posts: 4 | Location: Between Heaven & Hell | Registered: 23 May 2008
Originally posted by ASENCO: my comment was towards you, ArmyReenlistment... As far as the main reason you made this post yeah I guess I did miss it... you said something about how your sister best friends third cousin being deployed... where did the stories about someone's buddy getting killed or wounded come in??? I think you need to get to the sand box and hold on of your soldiers in your arms as they bleed to death and come back and post what you saw and what you did. When you have seen some of your buddies killed or wounded I would like to see you come back the same... and then have someone who has never fired and shot in combat ask you about your buddes that died. Anyone you has been there and seen that will understand where I am coming from... As far as me saying what you can and can not post how about having some respect for those that have paid the price..
I have not even started with the name calling because I believe it is beneath me to do so as a NCO. But I guess it is on the same level for you. Call me what you will but my stories are my nightmares. maybe your right maybe this isnt the forum for me.
You're an idiot. Thanks for tainting the thread that those of us posted in to help remember our soldiers and friends by bitching at AR.
I don't know and I don't care what AR's deployment history is or what his ERB looks like because he does a service to the military by helping people take the proper career path.
Who do you think you are to pass judgment on all of us and especially him?
Bernard was a Soldier of the utmost caliber. He had a college degree but joined his country in the fight against terrorism. He loved heavy metal 80s bands, God, Catholicism, and interacting with people. Even though we were in civilian clothes and were on a first name basis, he couldn't bring himself to call me "Matthew." He always called me Sergeant even though we weren't supposed to give out ranks.
When the NCOIC of RC East in Afghanistan left the AO, I was thrust into the position...which meant being the overall authority for interrogation approvals in all of eastern Afghanistan. I was in charge of three other detention facilities besides my own.
Bernard was the only interrogator at FOB Ghazni (usually there are two in each facility but the other Soldier was in Bagram at the time) and was going outside the wire to conduct tactical questioning at a mosque in town. When there is only one interrogator, the interrogator is not supposed go on mission because he/she must stay at the facility in case a detainee arrives. I think what happened was he was pressured to leave the FOB by the local commander...but anyhow...
His infantry unit was attacked, and he volunteered/was asked nicely by the infantry commander to go along to conduct TQ in support of that mission. Usually the Tac HUMINT Team there would go but the commander didn't trust them and thought they were lazy.
So he went...and I had no idea. That is, until I got a call in the morning from my commander in Bagram asking if I had heard from him because on the SIGACTS they had saw an IED near Ghazni. I checked with our MED Officer and S3-Air element and confirmed that Bernard was inbound to our CSH via Blackhawk.
He landed and I helped take him off the bird. He was unconscious. We took him into the field hospital and the doctors went to work. They cut off his clothes and attempted to revive him but they never did figure out what his exact internal injury was. He never recovered. I watched him die right there after 45 minutes.
Usually when the MEDEVAC brings patients to the hospital, it keeps the rotors running and then takes them onto Bagram once they are stabilized. This time the helicopter left with the patient still in the hospital...it was the most devastating sound and event in my entire life. Every time I hear a helicopter I think of that moment and the look on the surgeon's face as he shook his head at one of the nurses.
If you go to the MySpace profile in my signature, and then go to my videos...I have a fallen comrades video from Afghanistan. He is about halfway through. I would love it if you watched it.
NOTE: I edited the post to make it more about the situation and not about the circumstances.
I spent about 4 or 5 weeks in Ghazni when I was with the 55th Combat Camera. I remember Bernard, we use to talk after missions and just fondly tell stories about college life, how much we both liked Manowar and would watch the NBA playoffs together, even though I didnt like basketball. He was a real good kid.
When I returned to Bagram after he was killed I had to cover his memorial service, ramp ceremony and make his memorial video. I also covered the service at Ghazni. Those were the hardest missions I ever covered. I had only known him a few weeks at best, but he made quite an impact on me and his loss was deeply felt.
God bless, Bernard.
Wow, I'm glad you met Bernard. He was a great guy and you are lucky to have met him.
ArmyStudyGuide Community 
