Story-Teller
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- Feb 22, 2009
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A Man of Honor
My father believed in the armed forces of the United States and at the young age of 18 joined the Army. He was a strapping young man with light brown, almost blond hair, and blue eyes. He took pride in his uniform and the way he presented himself. He knew that wherever he went he had to show his professionalism. He believed; in those silly things people now call false pride, Honor-Pride and a Love for his country to be free. After his basic training he was assigned as an aid to General McArthur. His job was to make sure that everything was perfect for the General. He received honor after honor for performing his job above and beyond the his duties., however my Dad felt he wasn’t doing enough and ask to be transferred to position where he could best serve his country. The General respected my Father and granted his wishes. My Dad asked to be transferred to a medical position. My Dad was promoted from one rant to another as fast as any man ever could be. Within 3 years he was in charge of the Medical division of the Army. His job was to make sure all the Hospitals, Operating rooms and Doctors had all the necessary equipment to perform their jobs.
There were many men serving that held higher positions than my Dad but he was well respected in his position and many time men with higher rant came to ask him questions. My Dad never made them feel dumb or disrespected. He treated all men and women the same. In a way you could say that he trained many officers in the tedious task of ordering the proper equipment for what was needed at the time.
My Father reached the title of Chief Master Sergeant in a matter of 10 years. He was well respected by all men in the service. Part of his job was to prepare for immobilizing of medical personal to respond to emergency situations that might happen anywhere in the world. He trained men to set-up operating tents, in the field and to be able to tear them down and move on a moments notice.
We were stationed over in Germany when Terrorist took over an airport and threatened to kill the hostages if their demands weren’t met. My Dads’ unit, the 8th Infrintry, was called into action. It was my Dads’ job to put together the most qualified men and women to assault the airbase and save the hostages. My Fathers office and records were moved to an airbase in a matter of an hour. Now it was his job to go through the records and find the most qualified personal to deploy. He had two phones on his desk, one for the go command and the other to broadcast to all the people serving to report to the airbase if called. As he started calling the personal to report his Lieutenant Colonel was among those called. He also called another Lieutenant Colonel to report.
The Soldiers were to report to the air strip and wait for deployment. My Dads team was there to go over the records and give shots to those that needed then to go into another country. When they came to the two Lieutenant Colonels it came down to one question… Had either of them qualified in paratrooper training. My Dads’ friend, Tom, replied that he was. He Dad ordered him to stand in line for shots and told the other Lieutenant Colonel he could leave and go home. Tom had a family whereas the other Lieutenant Colonel didn’t. Tom reminded my Dad about that and my Dad responded, “I know that but you’re more qualified.” Tom pulled his 45 and pointed it at my Dad and told him to send the other Lieutenant Colonel. My dad called the other Lieutenant Colonel over and told him to stand in line. Tom was relieved and turned and walked away. My Dad called the military police and had Tom locked up. My Dad told the other Lieutenant Colonel that he could leave and continued on with his work on hand. When he had everyone accounted for he jumped into a jeep and drove to the jail. He went in and talked to Tom. Tom was crying and my Dad responded that what he did would send him to prison for a long time. Tom said he was sorry and that he had lost his mind in doing what he did. He ask my Dad to forgive him and my Dad smiled and said all would be forgiven If he would report for shots and stand ready to go. Tom again voiced his regret at pulling his weapon. My Dad told the police to realize him and they drove back to the airbase.
This was a very stressful time in their lives and relationship but they made it through it. As it turned out there were five other bases placed on alert and another base was called to deploy. My Dad was very happy to announce that all the people could go home.
The one thing that was never asked by any of us was if my Dad was on that list. I guess it was because he would have gone with no hesitation. Dad knew what Freedom was and what it could cost him and he was willing to pay the price.
My Dad died from cancer and is in Heaven. I’m sure he’s looking down checking on us. I hope he knows how Proud of him I am.
I Love You Dad,
Richard
--- Copyright © 2009 Richard Causey
My father believed in the armed forces of the United States and at the young age of 18 joined the Army. He was a strapping young man with light brown, almost blond hair, and blue eyes. He took pride in his uniform and the way he presented himself. He knew that wherever he went he had to show his professionalism. He believed; in those silly things people now call false pride, Honor-Pride and a Love for his country to be free. After his basic training he was assigned as an aid to General McArthur. His job was to make sure that everything was perfect for the General. He received honor after honor for performing his job above and beyond the his duties., however my Dad felt he wasn’t doing enough and ask to be transferred to position where he could best serve his country. The General respected my Father and granted his wishes. My Dad asked to be transferred to a medical position. My Dad was promoted from one rant to another as fast as any man ever could be. Within 3 years he was in charge of the Medical division of the Army. His job was to make sure all the Hospitals, Operating rooms and Doctors had all the necessary equipment to perform their jobs.
There were many men serving that held higher positions than my Dad but he was well respected in his position and many time men with higher rant came to ask him questions. My Dad never made them feel dumb or disrespected. He treated all men and women the same. In a way you could say that he trained many officers in the tedious task of ordering the proper equipment for what was needed at the time.
My Father reached the title of Chief Master Sergeant in a matter of 10 years. He was well respected by all men in the service. Part of his job was to prepare for immobilizing of medical personal to respond to emergency situations that might happen anywhere in the world. He trained men to set-up operating tents, in the field and to be able to tear them down and move on a moments notice.
We were stationed over in Germany when Terrorist took over an airport and threatened to kill the hostages if their demands weren’t met. My Dads’ unit, the 8th Infrintry, was called into action. It was my Dads’ job to put together the most qualified men and women to assault the airbase and save the hostages. My Fathers office and records were moved to an airbase in a matter of an hour. Now it was his job to go through the records and find the most qualified personal to deploy. He had two phones on his desk, one for the go command and the other to broadcast to all the people serving to report to the airbase if called. As he started calling the personal to report his Lieutenant Colonel was among those called. He also called another Lieutenant Colonel to report.
The Soldiers were to report to the air strip and wait for deployment. My Dads team was there to go over the records and give shots to those that needed then to go into another country. When they came to the two Lieutenant Colonels it came down to one question… Had either of them qualified in paratrooper training. My Dads’ friend, Tom, replied that he was. He Dad ordered him to stand in line for shots and told the other Lieutenant Colonel he could leave and go home. Tom had a family whereas the other Lieutenant Colonel didn’t. Tom reminded my Dad about that and my Dad responded, “I know that but you’re more qualified.” Tom pulled his 45 and pointed it at my Dad and told him to send the other Lieutenant Colonel. My dad called the other Lieutenant Colonel over and told him to stand in line. Tom was relieved and turned and walked away. My Dad called the military police and had Tom locked up. My Dad told the other Lieutenant Colonel that he could leave and continued on with his work on hand. When he had everyone accounted for he jumped into a jeep and drove to the jail. He went in and talked to Tom. Tom was crying and my Dad responded that what he did would send him to prison for a long time. Tom said he was sorry and that he had lost his mind in doing what he did. He ask my Dad to forgive him and my Dad smiled and said all would be forgiven If he would report for shots and stand ready to go. Tom again voiced his regret at pulling his weapon. My Dad told the police to realize him and they drove back to the airbase.
This was a very stressful time in their lives and relationship but they made it through it. As it turned out there were five other bases placed on alert and another base was called to deploy. My Dad was very happy to announce that all the people could go home.
The one thing that was never asked by any of us was if my Dad was on that list. I guess it was because he would have gone with no hesitation. Dad knew what Freedom was and what it could cost him and he was willing to pay the price.
My Dad died from cancer and is in Heaven. I’m sure he’s looking down checking on us. I hope he knows how Proud of him I am.
I Love You Dad,
Richard
--- Copyright © 2009 Richard Causey
