Photo By Lt. Col. Allie Scott | The three brothers, Air Force Maj. Marlin Weichel (left), Maj. Richard Weichel...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan— Three brothers, deployed again together but in separate areas, their family bond brings them together here today. This is the second time the three brothers have served in a war zone, at the same time. The first time was nearly 19 years earlier when the three were non-commissioned officers deployed to the United Arab Emirates.
The Weichel Family is stupendous. More than 60 years ago their father met their mother over a $5 dare that she wouldn't, in fact, go on a date with him. That dare flourished into the Weichel Family. Altogether there are eleven siblings, two sisters and nine brothers. Out of those eleven, eight of the brothers have served in the military, including the three brothers here. Some of the grandchildren also work protecting the nation.
The oldest of the three, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Byron Weichel of Bismarck, N.D., will have 30 years of service in the Army Reserve in February 2010. He's currently serving at the Medical Logistics Center at Kandahar Air Field; this facility resupplies the hospitals and medical units within Regional Command South. He deployed in 1991 to Desert Storm-Desert Shield and now to OEF.
Maj. Richard Weichel, of Syracuse, Utah, is currently stationed in Qatar as the Commander of the 354th Medical Logistics Company. The 354th Medical Company provides medical supplies to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He deployed from Salt Lake City, Utah. He has served the Nation for 24 years. He too deployed in 1991 to Desert Storm-Desert Shield and now to OEF.
The youngest but most senior ranking of the trio, Air Force Maj. Marlin Weichel, a Registered Nurse, deployed from the 10th Medical Group from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He has served in the Army and Air Force collectively for 24 years. He works mostly as an operating room nurse and mentor to the Afghan medical staff in Kandahar City. This is his second deployment to OEF and he has also deployed to other locations including Haiti and Chile.
Each is motivated to serve by similar feelings. Collectively they cite the love of what they do, their ability to create change and the opportunity to give back to the Soldiers they lead. Perhaps Maj. Richard Weichel summed it up best. "I like what I do, my kids are proud of what I do, there's meaning in what I do," said Weichel. "To see the MEDEVAC helicopter evacuate the wounded, being cared for by medics, nurses and doctors, and knowing that we provided all the supplies that help save lives; it's hard not to feel good about what you do. When you witness the end result of what we do, it's very gratifying."
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.29.2009 03:08 |
| Story ID: | 42117 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 709 |
| Downloads: | 377 |
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