Goodbye toast to my Platoon Sergeant…

This Saturday I had a different but great opportunity to see my Platoon Sergeant off to war, without me.  Some of the best people in the world serve in the uniforms of our nation and that can be said for the men that I share Charlie Company with.

On Saturday a gathering of family and friends came together in Cambridge, MA to see off two of its brothers to Afghanistan for a year.   They volunteered to join the surge and embed themselves with the Afghan National Army (ANA) to help them take the fight to the Taliban and insurgency in the mountains and villages of Afghanistan.  Mike and Pete represent a special group of men who have served on many deployments before and don’t hesitate to once again say farewell to their families and friends to head downrange.

Our Company First Sergeant has served with both men for some 15+ years and made it a point to include as many loved ones, and fellow Infantrymen in the toast and celebration of our fine Sergeants First Class. Choking back years of emotion and true admiration and love for his friends he sadly raised his beer and said in few words what many in the room felt. My Company Commander praised both men for their sacrifice in leaving their soldiers that they have trained and deployed already 3 times with to deploy with strangers who speak another language. And within that a lot can be said for what the decision for Mike and Pete to leave Charlie Company.  Having risen thru the ranks of the NCO corps within our Company and to leave it behind is an immense decision.  They hope to return in a year’s time and resume the role of leadership and guidance that they have provided to countless young soldiers. We can only hope both return home safe to train all of us.

Though both men are extremely different on personalities and how they operate, the uniform is the same as is their mission is to lead the way.  And lead the way they will in training, leading and fighting alongside the ANA.  So to Mike and Pete, as I sit safely back in my office on 5^th Ave in NYC; I wish you both the best of luck and Godspeed as you again conduct the business of the Infantry on behalf of the country and Army you both love so much. Lead the Way.