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[REGGAB]

Cheers on Corridor Three
by LTC Bob Bateman
10:30 hours (local EST), Friday, 11 May 2007: Third Corridor, Second Floor, The Pentagon:

It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with Officers, a few Sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here. This hallway, more than any other, is the "Army" hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew. Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area. The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares.

10:36 hours (local EST):
The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is an applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway. A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the Soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating.

By his age I expect that he is a Private, or perhaps a Private First Class. Captains, Majors, Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, Soldier to Soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden … yet. Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a Combat Veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The Soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full Colonel. Behind him, and stretching the length from E to A, come more of his peers, each Private, Corporal or Sergeant assisted as need be by a Field Grade Officer.

10:50 hours (local EST):

Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. "My hands hurt." Christ. Shut up and clap.

For twenty-four minutes, Soldier after Soldier has come down this hallway — 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts. They pass down this corridor of Officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the Generals.

Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly. There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the Officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past. These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our Brothers, and we welcome them home.

This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

[Twolanerider]

Henry, without even considering questions of politics or geostrategy there is much to admire now.  The injured can still have a difficult time with services above and beyond, and sometimes even compounding, the effects of their injuries.  But they generally aren't just dismissed as they've been in conflicts past.

If an amputee (for example) wants to stay in uniform now the service is doing a great deal to find a place for him.  Administrative, training or even back in theater.  This is all as it should be.  The respect, the appreciation and the pride.  This is all as it should be.

A few years ago I had a task that involved interviewing a few of the remaining CMH recipients.  To a man they all described whatever happened as somehow being for about those around them.  To a man there was no personal credit taken or suggested.  To a man, among personnel around them, they were rock stars.  To a man, those that go and serve in harms way, all are.

[REGGAB]

Henry, without even considering questions of politics or geostrategy there is much to admire now.  The injured can still have a difficult time with services above and beyond, and sometimes even compounding, the effects of their injuries.  But they generally aren't just dismissed as they've been in conflicts past.

If an amputee (for example) wants to stay in uniform now the service is doing a great deal to find a place for him.   Administrative, training or even back in theater.  This is all as it should be.  The respect, the appreciation and the pride.  This is all as it should be.

A few years ago I had a task that involved interviewing a few of the remaining CMH recipients.  To a man they all described whatever happened as somehow being for about those around them.  To a man there was no personal credit taken or suggested.  To a man, among personnel around them, they were rock stars.  To a man, those that go and serve in harms way, all are.

Don,
During my last billet on active duty, I witnessed these types of assignments.  The assets of the seasoned Soldier's mind are highly desired when developing "lessons learned," identifying capability gaps, and generating requirements to bridge those gaps with materiel solutions.

Very well said.  Concur.  Thx.