Photo By Spc. Nathan Goodall | Former U.S. Army Rangers Charlie Manis, Danny McKnight, Howard "Mad Max" Mullen and...... read more read more
CAMP DEH DADI II, Afghanistan - Former U.S. Army Rangers shared their stories and support with soldiers at a dining facility here Oct. 2.
The visit was part of the Armed Forces Entertainment Ranger Tour created by Robi Powers and his nonprofit organization American300. The all-volunteer organization attracted the attention of four former Rangers who were thrilled to meet deployed soldiers.
The former Rangers, with all the incredible experiences they’ve had, presented themselves as human beings in a deployed environment just like everyone else in the room. It was on this level they connected with the soldiers. Before they shared their inspiring stories at center stage, they ate and talked with soldiers from 24th Brigade Support Battalion is if they were part of the unit.
“They don’t ignore anyone, they’ll talk to you and get to know you,” said Spc. Tereza Purdon, an Overland Park, Kan., native, now a chaplains assistant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Brigade Support Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
“This is one of the most exciting things I have done since I retired,” said retired Col. Danny McKnight, a former Ranger battalion commander. “Anybody that has the opportunity to do this, to come visit our American soldiers, and did not take advantage of it is absolutely out of their mind. Because this is the greatest privilege anybody can have.”
McKnight, portrayed by Tom Sizemore in the movie “Black Hawk Down,” was a widely recognized name throughout the camp.
Sgt. Russell Fiske, a Wilmington, Del., native, now a truck commander with 1049th Transportation Company, Delaware National Guard, had recently watched “Black Hawk Down” before he knew the Rangers were coming.
Fiske and his peers ate with McKnight during dinner.
“They care enough to come over here and talk to the troops, spend time with us, and I think that speaks a lot to their character and a lot to being a soldier,” Fiske said.
The amount of mutual respect between the groups was apparent as the former Rangers praised the soldiers for their service.
“The thing I remember most is that I got to be one of you, I got to be an American soldier and to me there’s nothing finer,” McKnight said to the crowd. “It is an honor to be in your presence, I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”
Charlie Manis, a former Ranger who was assigned to the only National Guard Ranger rifle company that saw combat in Vietnam, asked the female soldiers to stand up for applause. He said it was important for male soldiers to recognize their equal military service.
Keni Thomas, former Ranger now country musician, played guitar and sang for the soldiers to express his appreciation.
Spc. Lindsey Pierson, a Hampton, Iowa native, now a supply specialist with A Company, 24th Brigade Support Battalion, is a fan of Thomas’ music and enjoyed every bit of the Ranger Tour, saying the songs and speeches “keep your motivation from falling.”
“It really opens your eyes, it makes you appreciate what you have where you’re at no matter what,” Pierson said.
From the back of the room, the amount of camera flashes and outstretched cell phones filming video made the performance look like a red carpet event. But up close, it seemed more like a meeting between old friends. The former Rangers were kind and took the time to talk with every person that approached them.
“Being an old [non-commissioned officer], the most important thing was taking care of my troops,” said Howard “Mad Max” Mullen, retired Army Ranger master sergeant. “Even though I’m no longer in the military, I see these men and women and if there’s anything I can do to support them, I’m all for it.”
Mullen described the soldiers at the camp as “highly motivated and very impressive.”
“Everywhere I stopped here the soldiers are vigilant,” Mullen said. “They’re alert and ready to roll, I like that.”
Mullen, who has appeared in movies, is the owner and CEO of Tactical MilSim magazine, and has had three action figures created of him, showed no egotism or superiority toward the soldiers. Instead, he showed pride in the people around him.
“I’ll tell you what, just to get out here with you soldiers, to walk amongst you, to share a meal with you, it really means a lot to me,” Mullen said to the group of soldiers. “There is no other place I’d rather be than right here in this moment with all of you.”
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2011 04:51 |
| Story ID: | 78030 |
| Location: | CAMP DEH DADI II, AF |
| Web Views: | 285 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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