An American Hero

One of the fundamental principles of a truly sustainable society is to have the freedom to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. One of the realities of today’s world is that freedom is something that we too often take for granted. We are fortunate, however, that we have young men and women who have always heeded the call of our nation to take on any foe to preserve that freedom.

On October 31, 2006 Major Doug Sloan, Commander of Company B, 1-32 Infantry Battalion, of the 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain Division paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Doug was one of my son Pete’s best friends. He was killed by a road side bomb planted by the Taliban in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan. Doug was well known in the 10th Mountain Division as one great guy who looked after his men like a father. He had a lot of practice at that with his own 3 kids.

With two sons in the Army there is not a day that goes by that my wife and I don’t pray for the safety of every military person who has been placed in harms way. Within that prayer I also thank God that we have young men and women who are willing to do what so many others dare not do. Freedom is a fickle thing. The people who our soldiers are fighting for have never really known freedom. They have always had to strictly obey the dictates of fanatical rulers and even if they did everything they were told to do there was still a chance that they might be executed at the whim of a despot.

Major Sloan knew danger lurked around every corner but he put his life on the line so that some Afghani citizens might get to taste the type of freedom we take for granted in the US. I remember Doug as the fun loving guy, the dedicated father, a great friend of my son, and as a true American Hero. I must admit that I have shed some serious tears over this tragic death. My Daughter-in-law, my wife, and I are heading to Fort Drum New York for the Memorial Service on November 8. What a coincidence that it is happening as we approach Veterans Day.
If we are to create a more sustainable St. Joseph County, perhaps our first act should be to truly thank every service man and woman, past and present for the sacrifices they have made for our Nation. The death of our Friend, Major Sloan, has made us think about what we should be doing for the families of those serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and every other duty station. Barb and I have been seriously considering trying to put together some kind of gathering for all of the families of St. Joseph County Service Men and Women. During these difficult and frightening times, it can be helpful to meet and talk to people who are dealing with similar issues. To be sustainable, we all need to connect. Here is my thank you to everyone who is serving or has served to preserve our freedom. And last but definitely not least, THANK YOU Major Douglas E. Sloan.

For more information on FAFSOM go to www.fafsom.org