Image: DVIDS

27 May 2012

Jeff Mellinger emailed about Benjamin Kopp and other heroes.  I asked Jeff for permission to publish.  Jeff’s message:

My wife and I were at Walter Reed with Ranger Ben Kopp and his mother for his last couple of days. [Ben was shot in Afghanistan.]  Jill (Ben's mother) and my wife and I are now the closest of friends.  Starting tomorrow at 1400, my youngest daughter and I will be walking the last 40 miles of the "Carry the Load" 1,700 mile relay walk this weekend.  I will be wearing a CPL Ben Kopp button as I walk.

The Carry the Load website.

The attached photo is from September 7th, 2010.  I took my Army Materiel Command NCOs on a walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery.  We walked about ten miles, stopping to learn, reflect and honor.  Of course, CPL Ben Kopp was on the route.  "Benergy" is the name that Ben's mother, Jill, uses to explain the inexplicable, such as a family friend, Judy Meikle, being a perfect match for Ben's heart, or that breeze that comes as you think of a friend now long gone.

Ben is in Section 60, Grave 9088.

May we all pause and remember our fallen on Monday, Memorial Day.  And perhaps find some "Benergy."

"Red Hat Six, this is Ghost Rider Two-Seven. I’m sorry I won’t be able to help you any more today. I’m gut shot. I’ll have to leave you now. Hang on and good luck."  Radio transmission from a helicopter pilot to an Army captain and his unit fighting the 174th and 66th NVA Regiments, 27 February 1968.

"I’m dying, ain’t I, Sarge? I’m dying, aint I, Sarge?"  Last words of Radio Operator SP/5 Paul Sperry, Spoken to SFC Herbert Lloyd, 17 SEP 1962, Bau Tron, Viet Nam.

"I'm okay. Just get us more ammo." Sergeant Jimmy Mayemura while continuing to man his machine gun even though one of his eyes was torn out and he'd been hit three other times by bullets and grenade fragments.  Korea, 4 November 1951.

"We need a medevac bad.  Three soldiers are hurt bad by a mine. My legs are blown off. Tell them to hurry!" 1LT Charles Hemmingway, 13 June 1967. Vietnam Memorial Wall, Panel 21E, Line 98

"I can see you, you are coming up on our left. Be careful, they have a 57MM recoilless in the brown building." Captain Terence (Terry) Sage, killed by 57MM recoilless fire - 31 January 1968. Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel 36E, Line 34

"I know, I'll be careful, but they need this machine gun up front." 1LT(P) Bob Arvin, 5 September 1967.  His actions this day earned him the 2d of two Silver Stars and a posthumous promotion to Captain. Vietnam Memorial

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27 May 2012

To view the entire pdf please click here.

Jill Stephenson, mother of fallen Ranger, Ben Kopp, is unexpectedly reunited with the casualty assistance officer who was with her when Ben died in Washington D.C. two years earlier. The chance encounter came during the 2011 Wreaths Across America Escort to Arlington, while visiting West Point. WAA photo by Joseph Andrew Lee.

25 May 2012

They say old Soldiers never die.  In the case of Corporal Benjamin Kopp, this is turning out to be true in many ways.

Ben was shot and killed during combat operations in Afghanistan.  He was an organ donor, and his sacrifices continued.  His heart was given to a family friend named Judy Meikle, who was 57 years old.  The transplant was successful.  Ben’s mom is Jill Stephenson.  Jill is a strong woman and herself an inspiration.  Yesterday, Jill Stephenson published:

"I want to wish a special Happy Birthday to Judy Meikle today. In case you don't know, Judy is the recipient of my wonderful son Ben Kopp's big strong Ranger heart. Judy received Ben's heart almost three years ago and today celebrates turning 60!! I am blessed to know her and call her a friend. She is breathing proof of what the gift of life means when we think not just of ourselves when we die. Ben lives on her beating heart. Happy, happy day to you, Ms. Judy. Love you~"

And so Ben’s heart beats on, inspiring more people with every passing day.

And his name lives on in the Kopp-Etchells Effect.

But even more than in his heart and name, Ben’s spirit lives on through a powerful example of courage, sacrifice, and generosity.  There is more to the Kopp-Etchells Effect than just helicopters in the night.  The Effect, the Heart of a Ranger, has become a symbol of courage and spirit to be revered. 

First Published: 22 November 2010

Recently, I published an image that became popular.  While perusing the photos from that night in the Himalaya in Nepal, a similar but better image popped up.  The moon shining off the mountain grabbed and held my eye, and I thought some people might like to share this moment.

“Moonshine on Ama Dablam” can be downloaded for a single personal use.

My Facebook page stays plenty busy.

First Published: May 14, 2005

The Deuce Four Fighting for Mosul

Mosul, Northern Iraq

As the new map of Iraq unfolds, a picture of progress emerges. The Iraqis who want freedom and democracy are gaining ground. From what I hear about the news back home, this might sound unreal. Nightly tallies of roadside IEDs and suicide car bombers driving headlong into crowds, like the Vietnam body counts on the Huntley-Brinkley Report, are the main summary of events, while most of this country is peaceful.

Read more: The Battle For Mosul

4-4 Cav waiting to board helicopters for an air assault.

12 October 2011
Afghanistan

Most of our troops in Afghanistan never see combat.  The closest they get might be the occasional rocket attacks on bases.  A relatively small number will be in so many fights that the war becomes a jumble.  For those who see fighting daily, their mental time markers are often when they or their buddies were hurt or died, or when some other serious event occurred.

The troops in 4-4 Cav have seen a great deal of fighting.  Their courage seems bottomless and for two-and-a-half months I was an eyewitness to their professionalism and courage.

This mission would be dangerous.  The Female Engagement Team was left behind and the only female Soldier to come was a medic because, as she would tell me, “I’m the badass medic.”

Read more: Red Air: America’s Medevac Failure