Commentary: Remember those who sacrificed this year, always

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  August 2 was a stressful day for my family as we were about to journey overseas for a permanent change of station move to the United Kingdom.

That same day Sgt. 1st Class Severin Summers, III, of the Mississippi National Guard, was killed by a roadside bomb in Wole Gerdsar, Afghanistan. 

Sadly, I was too busy to even read the news.

A few days after arrival, we were scheduled to attend newcomer's briefings, one being a driver's training course held Aug. 6. Driving can be stressful in the UK because we drive on the left side of the road, and many Americans aren't accustomed to it. The classroom was packed, and we paid close attention - hoping to get our license.

That same day Marine Cpl. Christian Guzman Rivera was killed when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's Farah province. 

At the end of the course, I got my license - but knew nothing of young Corporal Rivera.

That evening as I watched TV in my billeting room and dozed off to sleep. I was pretty anxious, as I had to continue my in-processing the next day and, as we all know, those errands can be taxing.

Unknown to me, three British Army soldiers were killed when their Jackal armored vehicle was hit by an explosion and small-arms fire that day. Like the U.S. Marine killed Aug. 6, the three British soldiers also had names, families and friends they'd leave behind when they paid the ultimate sacrifice that day in Afghanistan. 

But, thinking back, I sure was worn out from in-processing!

If I plug any memorable day into an Internet search engine, it's likely I'll come across a story about a hero serving his or her nation honorably in Afghanistan, Iraq or anywhere else in the world.

Less than a year ago, loaded down with body armor, camera gear, my M-4 Rifle and other gear, I was walking or driving the same Afghan streets as these warriors. Still, I've already mentally gotten back to my normal life.

I acknowledge that people need to let go of what they see and endure on the battlefield to readjust to living in society. Still, none of us should ever forget that each day - when we feel stressed about the tasks we have at hand - there are many of our brethren still in harm's way, and that our turn may come again.

On Sept. 16 Team Mildenhall is invited to a question-and-answer session with two World War II Royal Air Force veterans who were prisoners of war. The session is scheduled to take place from 9 to 10 a.m. at the 100th Operations Group auditorium in Building 809, where Andrew Wiseman and Air Commodore (retired) Charles Clark will recount their days in Stalag Luft III - the prison camp used as the focal point for the film, "The Great Escape."

Following the question and answer session, Dr. Howard L. Tuck will be the guest speaker at the POW/MIA recognition luncheon in the upstairs ballroom at the Galaxy Club beginning at 11 a.m.

Each of these gentlemen has a unique story to tell and have truly magnificent tales of aerial warfare, evasion and capture. But don't take my word for it - I've already explained that I am no hero.

When a friend of mine was killed while we were serving in Afghanistan, I promised myself I would not forget and I don't think any of you should either.

I explained what tragedies transpired while I was busy. If we don't continue to take the time to remember and listen to stories like the ones these men have to tell, time takes its toll, and we soon become consumed with the world immediately around us and lose the bigger focus.

Here is a brief synopsis of each man's account. Their full stories will be disclosed Sept. 15.

Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE:

Air Commodore Clarke was shot down during an attack in Schweinfurt and was sent to an interrogation center at Dulag Luft and later transported to Stalag Luft III.

After the War, he was granted a permanent commission and had a distinguished career with overseas assignments in places such as Palestine, Aden and Cyprus. He also enjoyed various Command positions.

For the past 35 years, Charles has been both the President and Chairman of the 'Royal Air Forces Ex-Prisoners of War Association', which has membership of over 1000 ex- 'Kreigies' living in the UK, the old commonwealth countries and the USA.

Dr. Howard Tuck:

Following six years service in the Royal Air Force, Dr. Howard Tuck went on to be educated at the Universities of York, Oxford and Harvard as well as research in a number of international institutions.

Doctor Tuck's work has taken him all over the globe, meeting some of history's most influential people ranging from Adolf Hitler's Secretary Traudi Junge to Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher.

As a filmmaker, Doctor Tuck has worked on feature films such as Schlinder's List and Band of Brothers plus numerous award winning television films in Europe and the US. His expertise and enthusiasm into WWII PoW history is infectious and will undoubtedly pull you in.

Andrew Wiseman:

Andrew Wiseman was born in the German capitol to Polish Jewish parents, and his early childhood was defined by the rise of the Nazi's and the impact that had on his family. He was taken by his father to watch the burning of the German parliament building the Reichstag - a defining moment in the seizure of power by Adolf Hitler.

Returning to their native Warsaw in Poland, Andy's parents decided to send their son to England to escape the gathering clouds of war and possible German invasion.

With his parents and extended family suffering terrible depravation in German occupied Poland; Andrew joined the RAF as aircrew. His Halifax LV956, skippered by a young Australian, was shot down and as the aircraft caught fire, Andrew was forced to parachute out into the darkness and confusion of occupied France.

He was imprisoned in Stalug Luft III and acted as a special interpreter within the camp due to his language skills and with his translation talents being used by senior officers; Andrew was always the first to hear the 'breaking news'.