February 15, 2013
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Vol. 71, No. 6 Feb. 15, 2013 Medal of Honor Former division Soldier receives highest combat medal for valor By C. Todd Lopez Army News Service WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama placed the Medal of Honor around the neck of former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha during a ceremony Monday in the East Room of the White House. Romesha is the fourth living servicemember to receive the medal for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. He earned the Medal of Honor for actions Oct. 3, 2009, while part of Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. On that morning, COP Keating, manned by only 53 Photo by Leroy Council Soldiers and situated at the bottom of a steep valley, The president said that upon learning he would President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to came under attack by as many as 300 Taliban fighters. receive the Medal of Honor, Romesha displayed the former Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha during a During the fight, the perimeter of COP Keating brand of humbleness typical of many Soldiers. ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., Monday. was breached by the enemy. Romesha, who was injured “When I called Clint to tell him that he would Romesha received the Medal of Honor for his courageous in the battle, led the fight to protect the bodies of fallen receive this medal, he said he was honored, but he actions during a daylong firefight at Combat Outpost Soldiers, provide cover to those Soldiers seeking also said, ‘it wasn’t just me out there, it was a team Keating, Afghanistan, in October 2009 while assigned to medical assistance, and reclaim the American outpost effort,’” Obama said. “And, so today, we also honor Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th that would later be deemed “tactically indefensible.” this American team, including those who made the Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “Throughout history, the question has often been ultimate sacrifice.” asked, why? Why do those in uniform take such Included among those who died in the fighting that extraordinary risks? And what compels them to such day in Afghanistan were Staff Sgt. Justin Gallegos, Sgt. earned 37 Army Commendation Medals, 27 Purple courage?” the president said. “You ask Clint and any Christopher Griffin, Sgt. Joshua Hardt, Sgt. Joshua Hearts, 18 Bronze Stars and nine Silver Stars. of these Soldiers who are here today, and they’ll tell Kirk, Spc. Stephan Mace, Staff Sgt. Vernon Martin, “These men were outnumbered, outgunned and you. Yes, they fight for their country, and they fight Sgt. Michael Scusa and Pfc. Kevin Thomson. almost overrun,” Obama said. “Looking back, one for our freedom. Yes, they fight to come home to their “Each of these patriots gave their lives looking out of them said, ‘I’m surprised any of us made it out.’ Families. But most of all, they fight for each other, to for each other,” Obama said. “In a battle that raged all But they are here today. And I would ask these keep each other safe and to have each other’s backs.” day, that brand of selflessness was displayed again Soldiers, this band of brothers, to stand and accept The White House ceremony was attended by and again and again, Soldiers exposing themselves to the gratitude of our entire nation. several hundred, including lawmakers, defense leaders, enemy fire to pull a comrade to safety, tending to each “God bless you, Clint Romesha, and all of your Romesha’s Family, and his team members from Bravo other’s wounds, (and) performing ‘buddy transfusions,’ team,” the president said. “God bless all who serve. Troop, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg. Also there was giving each other their own blood.” And God bless the United States of America.” Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Chief of Staff The president said on that day, it wasn’t just The president then asked that the Medal of Honor of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno and Sgt. Maj. of the Romesha who earned recognition for his actions, it Citation be read, and following that, he placed the Army Raymond F. Chandler III. was dozens of Soldiers. From that battle, Soldiers medal around Romesha’s neck. Message board INSIDEINSIDE Off limits Copperhead Road, 3330 N. Academy Blvd., was added to the off-limits areas for all uniformed personnel effective Feb. 7. See complete list at http://www.carson.army.mil. Page 30 Pages 10-11 Pages 22-23 2 MOUNTAINEER — Feb. 15, 2013 MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph Anderson With each milestone, a step toward equality Garrison Commander: By Andrea Sutherland they do to protect this nation.” Col. David L. Grosso Mountaineer staff For me, this is an understatement. These partners of Soldiers have endured the field Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: For the Mountaineer, I’m expected to be an objective trainings, the moves and the deployments. They’ve Dee McNutt expert on many facets of Army life. I report on Soldier experienced the loneliness and the heartache of Chief, Print and Web Communications: trainings, Army policy and activities taking place around being separated from their Soldiers as duties call. Rick Emert post. However, every so often an opportunity arises for They’ve dealt with the agony and fear when the lines of reporters to voice their opinion on a subject, often one communication go silent while their Soldier serves Editor: Devin Fisher that is controversial. in a combat zone. Staff writer: Andrea Sutherland As a journalist, I feel that to ignore the They’ve laughed, loved, fought and Happenings: Nel Lampe opportunity to comment on these occasions With the repeal cried with their Soldiers. Sports writer: Walt Johnson would be detrimental to my position on this They’ve stood by their Soldiers, just staff. As the wife of a Soldier, I feel that I as hundreds of other spouses have Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall of ‘Don’t Ask, am in a unique position to lend my opinion supported theirs, yet they’ve done so and let the readers of this publication without the support of many Army benefits This commercial enterprise newspaper is judge as they will. Don’t Tell,’ (gays heterosexual couples enjoy, such as an authorized publication for members of the In a historic announcement, Monday, Department of Defense. Contents of the commissary and Exchange privileges, Mountaineer are not necessarily the official Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and lesbians) access to child care and youth programs, view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or extended almost two dozen benefits to legal assistance and Directorate of the Department of the Army. Printed circulation same-sex couples. are no longer Family and Morale, Welfare and is 12,000 copies. I call this announcement “historic” Recreation programs. The editorial content of the because I am shocked and elated that Mountaineer is the respon sibility of the Public faceless, Panetta’s declaration changes that. Affairs Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, this proclamation and step toward equal Once benefits laid out in Panetta’s Tel.: 526-4144. The e-mail address is rights is taking place at a time when I emotionless statement are implemented throughout [email protected]. can appreciate its magnitude. the next eight months, partners will also The Mountaineer is posted on the For the second time since I began receive survivor benefits and have access Internet at http://csmng.com. writing for the Mountaineer, gays and beings serving The Mountaineer is an unofficial to counseling services. publication authorized by AR 360-1. The lesbians serving in the military have been Even with these new benefits, however, Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs recognized as a population. With the repeal in the ranks. same-sex couples will not receive other Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” they are able benefits given to heterosexual couples. The no way connected with the Department of the to assert their lifestyle without fear of Defense of Marriage Act — a law signed Army, under exclusive written contract with repercussions. They are no longer faceless, emotionless Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. in 1996 by then-President William Clinton — prohibits the The appearance of advertising in this beings serving in the ranks. Department of Defense from extending benefits such as publication, including inserts or supplements, Monday’s announcement acknowledged the men and medical and dental, as well as with-dependent rate Basic does not constitute endorsement by the women supporting them and recognized them as valued Allowance for Housing. Department of the Army or Colorado Springs members of the military community. This is a new era for civil rights. There are still steps Military Newspaper Group, of the products or In a statement, Panetta said, “Extending these benefits services advertised. The printer reserves the to take toward equality, but I am proud and happy to right to reject advertisements. is an appropriate next step under current law to ensure be part of a military that is actively seeking that goal. Everything advertised in this publication that all servicemembers receive equal support for what See related story on Page 3. shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.