CPT Ethan Allen, 1-87 Rear Detachment Commander
Sherry Allen, Walt Fricke, Kim Vanek, Mandy Anderson

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warmly welcomed the Veterans Airlift Command and other members of the Dept of Defense “America Supports You” network to the Pentagon last week with an update on our progress on the War on Terror. While good news about the effects of the troop surge in Iraq was the general tone, caution about assuming a “quick fix” is in place was the underlying message. 3200 Additional Marines are being ordered up for the “fighting season” in Afghanistan which begins again when the snow recedes.

His primary purpose in addressing the group (over 200 in attendance) of non-profit organiztions was to express the gratitude of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who are the recipients of the support system represented at this gathering. (American Supports You 2008 Summit).

The day was filled with opportunities to network with other organizations who are engaged in serving our military families. The Veterans Airlift Command was among a small number chosen for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) Television commercial which was developed for the Armed Forces Television Network and, as I understand it, will be shown during the Super Bowl to all our overseas military. It will also be aired periodically on the Pentagon Channel Stateside.

My visit to DC included a round at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and dinner out at “Van’s Steakhouse” with 25 or 30 wounded warriors and families who were bussed to the restaurant as guests of the Aleethia Foundation and its supporters. What an awesome group of kids. Their attitudes are amazing, considering what some are having to endure.

On Saturday morning I was honored to have breakfast with a couple of 10th Mountain Division wives who were flown to DC for a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery for one of their fallen. A VAC volunteer flew to Macon and Savannah GA to pick up the company commander and battalion commander’s wives in order that they could represent the deployed soldiers to the family….an extremely important gesture. I am absolutely amazed at the quality of the soldiers and families who serve this great nation. We are truly blessed. I would loved to have met the volunteer pilot who flew this mission (both ways) but had to catch my own commercial flight back to MN prior to their departure for home on Saturday.

Our volunteers are the BEST!

KimVanek, Benton Gatch (pilot), Mandy Anderson

Written by Mandy Anderson

On December 21, 2007, the ladies in the Family Readiness Group (FRG) of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division received the news they dread hearing every time the phone rings. A soldier in their husbands’ battalion had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Private First Class George Howell died when his vehicle was struck by an IED upon returning to the forward operating base from a mission. 1-87 is currently serving a 15-month tour in northern Iraq, and the unit has produced great success since their deployment in September. But, as is often the case, that success has come at a huge price. PFC Howell leaves behind a wife, two children and a baby on the way. It is for his family that the men of 1-87 and the FRG strongly desired to have representatives attend the funeral for their fallen hero at Arlington National Cemetery.

1-87’s Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Vanek, could think of no better person to represent him and show his immense respect for one of his best soldiers than his wife and ultimate source of support, Kim. PFC Howell’s Delta Company Commander, Captain Jon Anderson, felt the same about his wife, Mandy. Since continuing the mission in Iraq called these men to duty, Veterans Airlift Command and its volunteers made it possible for their wives to represent them at PFC Howell’s funeral.

Benton Gatch, a Vietnam vet and corporate pilot employed by S&S Management out of Baltimore, graciously volunteered his time for two whole days to fly Kim and Mandy from their homes in South Georgia to Arlington, and safely home again. His generosity and that of the company he represents cannot be overestimated in the minds and hearts of the 1-87 family. It was so important that representatives were present at PFC Howell’s service and that his survivors had as much support on that day as possible.

The 1-87 family will be forever grateful to Mr. Gatch and everyone at Veterans Airlift Command. These Americans are true patriots and are indeed serving their country with honor and integrity. Being a military family is, at times, not an easy job. But these honorable people have provided peace of mind by ensuring that no family needs to worry about transportation when their soldier needs them. The Veterans Airlift Command network will answer that call every time.

This SEAL suffered two gunshot wounds to his arm and mouth. This is just one more reason we love to serve these wounded warriors.

Charity Flies Soldier to Friends

Photo by Raul R. Rubiera

By Kevin Maurer Staff writer - The Sandspur

When Pfc. Jason Bates left his buddies in Baghdad, he was fighting for his life. A roadside bomb had taken his left leg.
Six months later, Bates returned in style.
Bates arrived Thursday in a small silver turbo prop plane with leather seats. He was in town for the award ceremony for the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Bates received a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal.
He was going to fly Southwest to Raleigh from his home in Lubbock, Texas, but the trip would have taken 11 hours — with two layovers — and hundreds of dollars.
Veterans Airlift Command came to the rescue.
Bates’ three-hour flight from Lubbock to Fayetteville on a private plane was free.
Walt Fricke, founder of Veterans Airlift Command, was wounded in Vietnam. He was a helicopter pilot who spent six months in the hospital after being medevaced out of Vietnam in 1968.
“I was 700 miles away from home. I was disconnected from my world,” Fricke said. “My healing didn’t start until I made those connections.”
Fricke started the charity in November 2006 as a one-man operation. His plan was to run it himself and fly just a few veterans around. In a year, it has exploded into a national charity with 550 pilots and airplane owners who donate their time and planes.
Terry Tyler and co-pilot Mark Wells were honored to fly Bates and his family.
Neither Wells nor Tyler served in the armed forces. Both see flying for Veterans Airlift Command as their service.
“The veterans have served us,” Tyler said. “We just give back a little.”
Bates’ plane taxied to the front of the terminal Thursday at Landmark Aviation at the Fayetteville Airport.
As the props stopped spinning, Bates — silver cane in hand — threw open the door and gingerly walked down the steps to the applause of his friends and Army buddies.
“I didn’t think everybody was going to be there,” Bates said.
He was injured in May 2007 when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb.
Sgt. Ezequiel Mora kept pressure on Bates’ wounds as they raced to the hospital.
“We’re going to make it,” Mora told Bates then.
“I know,” Bates said.
Thursday at the airport, Mora was on hand to greet Bates. He said that Bates was the strongest person he knows.
“He wasn’t panicking too much,” Mora said. “He was just saying his leg hurt.”
The friends kept up with each other as Bates healed and Mora finished his deployment in Iraq.
Bates worried about his friends every day.
“As it got closer to them coming back, I was worried more and more that someone was going to get hurt,” Bates said.
With the battalion home, Bates could finally relax. But to Mora, the homecoming wasn’t complete.
“I’ve been looking forward to seeing him since I came back,” Mora said.
On Thursday, as Bates got off the plane, his cane and a slight limp were the only clues to his injury.
As he got closer, Mora and more than 30 paratroopers lined up to greet him. Each soldier shook his hand and hugged him. There were few dry eyes in the bunch, which made most of the paratroopers uncomfortable.
“The sun is bright out here,” joked one paratrooper.
“Where did all this dust come from,” said another, wiping his eyes.
The paratroopers stood near the plane and shared stories and a smoke. At one point, Bates lifted his pants leg and rapped his metal cane against his new metal ankle.
At Friday’s award ceremony, Bates — in uniform but carrying his cane — was almost indistinguishable from the hundreds of other paratroopers.
But, the ceremony was only an excuse to make the trip. Bates really came back to Fort Bragg for his friends.
“Its like a big family,” Bates said.
He has come a long way from that day in Baghdad, but the journey was over.
He was home. And so were his buddies.
Staff writer Kevin Maurer can be reached at maurerk@fayobserver.com or 486-3587.