Letter from a Marine Veteran:
While I know some may read this and think I am being passive aggressive, I am not, I struggle to see, and understand why people do not understand things the way I do. Especially if they are non-military. It’s hard, it really is, and when I bring up the fact that today is the 10 year anniversary of the Battle of Fallujah, the Bloodiest battle in US history since the Battle of Khe Sanh. Where I fought alongside Brothers who I forged friendships with through blood, sweat and tears. Some of who died, and I have tattooed on my chest, its hard.
I still remember quite vividly, waiting in the back of the Humvee while it was raining, waiting to push through the city, and moving through. I remember when Sgt. James died, I remember when LCpl. Figueroa died, I remember when I laughed at a 1st Sgt. when he said the helmet with brain matter in it in the truck I just provided security for, was his marines, because I didn’t know what else to do, I remember the dead bodies, and the wounded friends.
I’m not asking you to bow down, or to buy me a beer, but maybe, knowing about what happened, knowing something about what happened to those who fought, those who died, and those who were injured, the obvious ones, and the invisible ones, might help.
I don’t think that is too much to ask, if you know a veteran, talk to them, and ask them about what they went through, they may not want to talk to you, or conversely, they may do. And you may not understand half the stuff they are talking about, but at least you will glimpse, a small fraction of what they did, what they went through, the camaraderie, the Esprit de Corps, the Fellowship they endured, and enjoyed in their experience. And you may even help heal the invisible wounds that a veteran has, in addition to understanding something more about what molded that person.
This may sound preachy, or soapboxy, I understand not everyone thinks like a Marine, or Soldier, or whatever, and I endeavor every day not to blow up on those people, for not understanding or acting like nasty civilians, but for some a little knowledge for your brain housing group can go a long way. And who knows, may even make a Veteran thankful for your interest, and it might pick his spirits up. Especially with Veterans day coming up, as most Veterans, are thinking on what happened, the friends they lost, and the life they lived.
-Sgt. Hawkins, AKA Gareth
Story and Photos By Sgt. Andy Hurt/13th MEU
NEAR KARMAH, Iraq (June 29, 2007) – A forward resuscitative surgical system never, ever stands still while treating a wounded Marine – until today, when Cpl. Gareth Hawkins, 23, demanded to reenlist before being medically evacuated.
While conducting counter-insurgency operations this morning with Battalion Landing Team 3/1’s Lima Company, Hawkins’ vehicle was hit by a massive improvised explosive device, shattering his right leg and injuring two other Marines. Within minutes of the blast, Hawkins was set to be flown out of the area and into the hands of higher medical care.
According to 1st Sgt. Gary Moran, Lima Co. first sergeant, Hawkins didn’t want to leave until he was reenlisted by battalion staff here, more than 14 kilometers from his position.
“Hawkins just got hit in a major blast that could’ve killed him,” Moran said, “and he said, ‘First Sergeant, I don’t want to fly out … I want to go to (the Combat Outpost) first’.”
The first sergeant said he was stunned. After assessing Hawkins’ condition, movement to the COP was approved.
While lying on a litter in the surgical area, Hawkins, straining words through extreme pain, gave his reasons for the unusual request.
“‘Cause it’s motivating,” said the Spokane, Wash. native. “I was going to reenlist anyway, this is what I wanted to do.”
Throughout the surgical station, Marines and medical personnel could be heard murmuring “(expletive) motivating, man …,” and “that’s crazy.” Hawkins wouldn’t budge.
The Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Kevin Gonzalez, along with the Career Retention Specialist Staff Sgt. Chandrash Malapaka, and several others crammed into the tiny room for the ceremony.
“We’re going to do the short version of this,” said the Executive Officer.
Raising his right hand, Hawkins took the oath of enlistment by 1st Lt. Warren A. Frank, his platoon commander. With no time for the usual formalities of backslaps and handshakes, Hawkins was immediately carried out via litter and evacuated.
Standing by his sense of duty and raw determination in the face of extreme pain and uncertainty, Cpl. Gareth Hawkins has epitomized the battalion motto of “3/1 Hard.“
Sgt. Gareth Hawkins photo is displayed in many Marine Recruitment Centers, and is listed as the 50th Reason to Love the Corps.
Taken from 100 Reasons to Love The Corps.
49. The Corps’ doesn’t call its officers, commissioned or not, “petty.”
50. Cpl. Gareth Hawkins, lying on a stretcher after an IED shattered his leg, demanded re-enlistment before medical evacuation. And got it.
51. Whereas Army, Navy and Air Force jokes are funny, Marine jokes are potentially dangerous.
Editors Note:
Gareth is now Retired from the Marines, works full time, just recently received his degree, has a family and 4 kids, but every day and night he has to deal with the PTSD, the Brain Traumatic Injury and foot and leg injury sustained from the IED. He also suffers from survivors guilt, and constantly wonders why he is alive and his buddies are dead.
Bikernet would like to say a big “THANK YOU” to every Veteran who fought for this country, and for which we have the freedom to live and worship as we please.
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