A Hero Among Heroes
Col. Robert “Bob” Howard Sr.’s Story

We are pleased to announce the availability of A Hero Among Heroes – Col. Robert L Howard Sr.’s Story. This is a mini-bio of the life and times of the late Col. Robert “Bob” Howard Sr.

He is considered to be the most decorated American soldier of the Vietnam War, having been nominated 3-times for the Medal of Honor, and recipient of 8-puple hearts for wounds received during his 5-tours in SE Asia.
USFallen.org was honored to be asked to produce this video, to be shown at a memorial service at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio, TX. on Feb. 22, 2010.  We were provided some footage of an interview conducted a few years ago with the Col. He was interviewed by one of his best friends and fishing buddies, Sgt. Maj. (Ret) Benito Guerrero.  Soon we began to compile other media and developing a story line. Veteran groups began submitting footage, photos, and suggested music from the era. There was a specific request to use the Col.’s two favorite songs; The Green Leaves of Summer and The Ballad of the Green Berets.

This version is the memorial tribute given to the Howard Family. It includes photos and video footage of the Medal of Honor interment ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Also, Sgt. Robert L. Howard Jr., presenting the American flag to his oldest sister.

Part II:

The producer’s background in developing training presentations, and a spiritual influence from the Colonel, the final product is designed to assist any instructor, on the topics of:
• Vietnam War battlefield experience
• How to survive in the battlefield
• Leadership
• Soldier’s moral obligations’
• Advice about joining the military

1988 - 2007

Pfc. Alexander R. Varela, 19, of Fernley, NV.

Died May 19th, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle while on patrol. Also killed; Staff Sgt. Christopher Moore, 28, of Alpaugh, CA., Sgt. Jean P. Medlin, 27, of Pelham, AL., Spc. David W. Behrle, 20, of Tipton, IA., Spc. Joseph A. Gilmore, 26, of Webster, FL., Pfc. Travis F. Haslip, 20, of Ooltewah, TN.

Alex Varela was born 29 January 1988 and raised in California by his proud mother Rinda Pope of Orangevale, CA. According to Rinda, Alex always had a smile on his face and was everyone’s friend.  Alex wasn’t shy and would strike up conversations with whoever would listen and usually get the other person laughing.  His voice was very loud and would carry a long way; his mother felt he would be a preacher or radio announcer. His Father Roger H. Varela lived in Fernley Nevada, so Alex spent time with him riding quads out in the desert, shooting guns and having fun.  Alex had many friends in both States.

Alex was an avid paintball competitor and turned his passion into commitment.  He enlisted in the Army in April of 2006 and upon completion of basic training was assigned to A CO 1-5 CAV.  PFC Varela arrived to Alpha Company in August of 2006 and immediately began training with the “Annihilators” in preparation for deployment to Iraq.  In October 2006 PFC Varela deployed to Iraq with Alpha Company and the 1-5 CAV “Black Knights” for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.  PFC Varela loves photography and is always playing with the new puppies that had been born at FOB Hawk.

While on the base, the soldiers had trained a dog to help with protection of the base.  The dog had puppies and the combat soldiers couldn’t help but take care of them, as well.  The dogs at COP Annihilator were special to Private First Class Alejandro “Alex” Varela; and, to the dogs, Alex and the soldiers of Alpha Company, were special as well.  Adopted as a force protection dog, one female would walk with the soldiers as they moved out on foot to observation posts, almost as if she wanted to be sure that they made it safely.  This dog, and others, helped lift the spirits of Alex and other soldiers, as well as improving their security.

Varela & DJ photo montage

In going through his possessions, Alex’s mother was struck by the photographs of her son with the dogs.  She began efforts to get one of the dogs, but was not having any success.   Lt. Tom Hickey, Alex’s platoon leader, found out about her efforts from another soldier, Specialist Matthew Alford, and began working to get her something much more tangible than a letter or medal; one of the dogs that Alex had enjoyed so much.

While it wasn’t possible to send the official force protection dog, that dog, BP for Bradley Position, had recently had puppies. Now old enough to travel, DJ as she is known, needed a sponsor to escort her back on a civilian flight. The platoon’s efforts led them to contact Gryphon Airlines.

1LT Tom Hickey, Platoon Leader wrote the following letter to the airlines.

The result of that contact was a partnership between Gryphon Airlines, BlackFive, Soldiers’ Angels, and Prudent Publishing (parent company of The Gallery Collection) to escort DJ to the U.S.  The PetSmart in Lafayette, IN, also contributed some chew toys to the effort.

DJ was named for another platoon member, Travis Dowd, in a bit of teasing humor.  DJ was the only puppy to survive in her litter, and as a result ate rather well.  So well, in fact that she got very large — too large for her feet.  His platoon mates like to kid the well-developed Dowd, so they started calling the puppy Dowd Junior, or DJ for short.  She was a typical puppy who chased her own tail and the chewing phase and was in good health.  The platoon worked on housebreaking her, and on spoiled her as much as possible, even though no toe, sock, or boot was safe from DJ.

DJ arrived in Washington DC on January 3, 2008, where she was handed over upon clearing Customs and entry.  DJ was then driven to California by a dog rescue group that delivered DJ to Rinda Pope.  Nearly two years later after she arrived at her new home Rinda says, “DJ is a joy, she is a very sweet doggie and is really part of the family now.”

DJ and Rinda Christmas 2008

USFallen.org welcomes others to submit their “My Heroes” stories for publication.

Oct. 19, 2009, San Diego DUI Car Accident Leaves Two Dead.

Lance Corporal Robert “Tyler” Austin, 20, of Corinth, TX, was killed in a San Diego car accident the morning of October 10, 2009. Austin, a U.S. Marine stationed in Twenty-nine Palms had recently completed a tour in Iraq. He was buried today at DFW National Cemetery with full military honors and an Irish farewell.

This video is in his honor and a reminder that; DUI in the USA is a serious concern.
• Austin (Marine) – 20-year-old died as a result of injuries.
• Garcia (Civilian) – 21-year-old died at the scene.
• Tinoco (Civilian) – 18-year-old arrested and charged.
• Unidentified (Civilian) – 17-year-old arrested and charged.
• 1 Civilian and 3 Marines were also injured.

According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Austin, a U.S. Marine stationed in Twentynine Palms, was with a group of other Marines riding in a Jeep Cherokee that was involved in a minor crash. The Jeep was headed north on the 15 Freeway in Escondido when it was rear-ended by a driver of a Volvo, causing the Jeep to spin out of control. Austin and several others got out of the Jeep. Moments later, a Chevy Cavalier crashed into the Jeep. Austin was knocked off the freeway by the Cavalier and pushed down an embankment to the canyon below.

The driver of the Cavalier and his passenger fled the scene of the crash on foot. Shortly afterward, the driver of another Jeep – a Grand Cherokee model, crashed into the abandoned Cavalier. The driver of that vehicle, 21-year-old Sarah Garcia, was killed. Austin died shortly after the crash and three other Marines were treated for minor injuries. The driver of the Cavalier, 18-year-old Oscar Tinoco and the passenger, an unidentified 17-year-old, were arrested. Tinoco was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run.

Drunk Driving Statistics for the United States

• Alcohol-related car crashes kill someone every 30 minutes and injure someone every two minutes.
• In the United States, drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death.
• More than 17,000 people are the victims of drunk driving accidents every year.
• Approximately 40% of all motor-vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related.
• Frequent drunk drivers are responsible for almost 60% of alcohol-related fatalities.
• In 2007, drivers between the ages of 16-20 were involved in 1,719 drunk driving accidents.

Special Thanks:
• David- DFW Cemetery
• Marines – Ft. Worth Naval Air Station
• Patriot Guard Riders of North Texas
• Stephen Seay : Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home

Bagpipe Military Funeral Music:
• Sergeant Mackenzie
• Going Home
• Amazing Grace

Video Production:
• Jerry Castillo
• Producer

Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden, almost 40 years later, President Obama is scheduled to pay tribute to Gutierrez and about 80 other Vietnam veterans who fought in the savage, unnamed battle, which resulted in the rescue of a company of trapped fellow soldiers.

Pasqual Gutierrez, who served in the Alpha Troop, First Squadron, 11th Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam, remembers the day his unit was called to rescue U.S. soldiers who were trapped by the North Vietnamese. Gutierrez says he sees the honor as representative of what many soldiers in his generation went through, a picture “bigger than us.”

From the Washington Post.

Master Sgt. Kenneth Mack

Marine Master Sgt. Kenneth N. Mack
42, of Fort Worth, Texas; assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II MEF, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 5 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Also killed was Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II.

Our First Gold Star Memorial in DC

By: Timothy Mack Oct. 2009

When we first heard of the remembrance ceremony in Washington I was wary because of the emotional toll ceremonies place on me and my family. Ken was special, every soldier lost was special but Ken was our family – my Big brother. In my heart no one can honor these men enough; Ken was fearless and often shared with me what combat was like. On his first tour I asked if he had ever fired his weapon in anger and he got quiet then told me about an attack on his convoy which killed several insurgents. Our men are professionals who just want to get the job done and Ken tried to help the Iraqis.

Mack Brothers

When my family (Mom and younger brother) arrived in Washington we went to Arlington Cemetery. We always do this first, even 11 years ago, the last time we were in DC. Ken, mom and I got a picture in front of the Iwo Jima statue. We are a military family; my dad served for 26 years and in Vietnam. We wanted to visit Ted Kennedy’s grave and the graves of our most distinguished service men and women.
The first remembrance ceremony was a formal dinner in the Hilton ballroom Friday night. This was a magnificent room, the same room used for the White House Correspondents dinner. There were several distinguished speakers and guests like Ross Perot and various Generals and Congressmen, but I was struck by the people who were at our table #46. There were several mothers who had lost their sons in combat. My mother was asked about Ken and I could feel her grief again when she described how he had been killed and honored with a post office and a building at Camp Lejune. After dinner, I excused myself and went to smoke. I stood by the street corner far away from the guests coming and going; I needed to think, there were so many sad stories told.
On the way back I saw a man who had a remembrance ceremony badge around his neck like mine and I introduced myself; he commented on my Gold Star pin and began to tell me about his son. His son was a Navy medic who was wounded by a sniper when he went to deliver an Iraqi baby. This medic had a chance to go home but he stayed and was later killed by another sniper months later. He was from Indiana. When his son was killed they found a Colts jersey under his uniform, he was a diehard Indy Colts fan and even took them to combat.
After I returned to the ceremony my mother and brother had gone to bed,

Gold Star Wash. DC 2009

they were very tired and didn’t want to miss the ceremony on the Senate grounds. One of our table mates asked me to sit next to her for the next speeches. She was a very sweet lady who was from Arkansas who lost her son last year. The next speaker was a general who came to speak about sacrifice. He had two sons, one committed suicide after returning from Iraq, his second son was killed in combat 8 months later. He spoke about the agony of losing two sons to Iraq but that his faith got him through. Faith and Scotch got me through; I drank so much scotch in 2007 I named our new dog “Whiskey”. I know everyone in the room could relate, at least in part, to his loss. The take away from the ceremony was that we have to keep all of our service members alive by telling their stories.
One of the organizers shared her story of a gravely wounded Green Beret soldier in Vietnam, who made her promise then to do something to tell the story of his fellow soldiers killed on a mission. He then gave her his scarf to seal the deal. His last thoughts were not for himself but for his men. I couldn’t help but think of my brother who didn’t have to go back to Iraq, he volunteered because he knew his soldiers would see intense action and he wanted to make sure they were confident and ready. I was reminded that he told me when I visited him before his deployment, that if he were to be killed that it was just “his time” and not to worry. Ken was fearless! A reporter from the Des Moines register wrote a story about my brother called “Night convoy to Ramidi”. For anyone who hasn’t met Ken, this gives a good snapshot of his character and soul.
After the last speaker, they brought out a country band, me and about 30 other African Americans started heading for the exit; no disrespect but not my kind of entertainment. I didn’t want to go to bed so I went to the bar. I met a woman who worked at the State Department. After a few drinks, she stuck to beer me to scotch, she told me some enlightening observations about partisan politics, race, foreign policy and other items.
After my bar adventure I spent some time walking around North DC that night; feeling overdressed, I returned to the Hilton. The next morning I just missed a chance to get a picture of Ross Perot. Our family left for the senate grounds for the second ceremony. I saw everyone from the night before and heard more speakers like Kevin Bacon and Perot. The ceremony was awesome

Gold Star of Texas in Wash. DC 2009

especially several 4 star generals saluting the children of the fallen. After the ceremony we were asked to assemble at our state’s flag (TEXAS) for pictures. I got to meet more people for some awesome pictures, we all hugged and left. My mother was so proud of Ken and told me that she was glad she was able to go. This made the whole thing worthwhile for me. Gold Star moms have a special burden because of the loss of their children; now that I’m a parent I think I understand.
God bless America.