|
Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
RM community celebrates patriotic service of Lee Field
|
Photo Courtesy to River Valley Times
Rancho Murieta resident Lee Field re-enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2006, wanting to do his part. He will be serving his last tour in Afghanistan until spring 2009.
|
By Wendy Smith
River Valley Times Staff
-
On Sunday, Nov. 1 a large group of friends, family and supporters gathered at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the patriotic dedication of Ranch Murieta resident Lee Field and to wish him well in the final months of his military service.
Field is on leave from duty in Afghanistan, but will return to the war-torn country soon. He will finish his service by early spring, but because of the complicated logistics involved with moving soldiers, he does not have an exact date.
The party, which had begun as a small gathering according to wife Theresa Field, steadily grew until it was too large for their home. “We are so thankful to have this community here for support - not only for Lee, but for our family as well when he is away,” she said. “We would especially like to extend thanks to the Kiwanis Club, St. Vincent De Paul and all of our friends who truly made tonight possible.”
Field made his way from group to group, sharing stories as local band “High Strung” played music and a slideshow of Field’s military photos showed in the background. “It truly is wonderful to have everyone here,” Field said. “The Kiwanians and church members have been especially supportive throughout my tours, sending me care packages and letters.”
Filed first decided to re-enlist after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. “After coming out of my shock I was pretty upset, and I thought that I had something to contribute,” he said. However, Field wanted to wait until his children were old enough to understand his decision, so it was not until 2006 that he joined the National Guard.
In Feb. 2008, Field was sent to Afghanistan with his unit of 160 soldiers. As a flight mechanic and crew chief, Field interacts primarily with the Army Airborne Division at Kandahar, his unit having been split between several bases.
During his tour, Field works long hours - starting anywhere from midnight to 3 a.m. and going for as many as 14 hours. “They only fly us for seven hours at a time, but the day is much longer than that with briefings,” he said. As a crew chief, it is his responsibility to make sure that the Chinook helicopter, which delivers people and supplies to bases, is operational at all times.
Field said that there are generally two types of flights that he makes: ring-routes, which are more routine deliveries to Forward Operating Bases, and infiltrations that are more dangerous. “I have received a combat action badge because we took direct fire. I feel very lucky to be here,” said Field.
He explained that his group is not supposed to engage - that role belongs to other Army divisions - but that they are supposed to evade. “We do take fire almost everywhere we go, but we are most vulnerable during infiltrations,” said Field.
Field anticipates cold weather upon his return to Afghanistan, reaching freezing overnight. This is in sharp contrast to the summers when it can get up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. “It is a desert, and the conditions are harsh year-round,” he said. “In many of the higher bases it gets even colder.”
When Field is in Afghanistan he is still able to communicate regularly with his family, something that would not have been possible even a few years ago. He speaks with them on the phone every other day, and is on email frequently. This, along with care packages, truly helps bolster Field during tough times.
Field’s lasting impression of the people of Afghanistan is that their true enemy is a lack of education. “Over 90% of the country is illiterate, and many that can read only have a third or fourth grade education. The true key to helping is in educating the population,” he said. He added that he truly hopes that U.S. efforts will help improve the quality of life for the people of Afghanistan.
|
Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
|
|
| |