7 minute read
Operation Warrior Call Kenneth Riege
Operation Warrior Call
By Kenneth Riege USAF 1985 – 1993
This story is long overdue and for that I do apologize.
I will start out by sharing a story about a guest at the Comfort Suites Gallup from early March. I am not going to include any names or dates, only that he served in the United States Marine Corps with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He fought with the 1st Battalion/4th Marines and served with great pride, honor, and dignity.
As I arrived to work that day, I noticed a guest looking at one of our many exhibits. He had taken an interest in an exhibit honoring my grandfather for his service at Belleau Wood. He shared his stories of Marine Corps boot camp and how from day one, recruits are taught about the “Devil Dogs” of Belleau Wood.
Here is the Belleau Wood exhibit at the Comfort Suites Gallup, which honors my grandfather, Pvt. Paul Emerson Riege, USMC 19 April 1917 to 31 March 1919. My grandfather served in the 1st Battalion/5th Marines and fought at Belleau Wood, the 2nd Battle of the Marne and the Meuse Argonne Offensive. He was wounded in action twice and gassed during the Meuse Argonne Offensive.
After we finished visiting, he thanked us for honoring our military and veterans, and later his wife also thanked us for helping her husband to, as she put it, “start to heal.”
WOW, this is something we have heard many times from our guest and visitors and what a great honor it is to be able to help one of our nations warriors and their families begin the healing process.
Now back to the title of this story, “Operation Warrior Call,” and what it means?
I have attached two different “Warrior Call Pledges” for both the veteran and civilian side of “Operation Warrior Call.”
“Warrior Call Pledge” For Military/Veterans
“Warrior Call Pledge” For Civilians
Sounds simple enough right? I mean all you have to do is pick up the phone and call someone, or better yet, get into your vehicle and pay one of your battle buddies an overdue visit. Of course, as we all know, nothing is as simple as it seems. Many
of us who have or continue to wear the uniform of our country don’t want to think of ourselves as needing assistance; “we got this” right? Well sometimes we don’t “got this” and a helping hand or a good listener is all that is needed. None of us made it through basic training or any military operations alone, we had our fellow brothers and sisters in arms there to help us just as we provided assistance to those who needed it. Well this is what making a “Warrior Call” is all about.
As you read the first Warrior Call Pledge (which is the one for military/veterans) the main point made here is to be honest; to be honest with yourself and with your battle buddies. There is a phrase called “22 a Day.” I would guess it’s about 50/50 of those who understand what this phrase means. It is based upon the number of veterans who take their own lives each and every day. I have heard that the number “22” is not an accurate number according to the Veterans Administration, but even if the number is “1” then that is still “1” too many. We all have the power to change this, by simply picking up the phone or going by to visit a veteran. I have heard many times people saying, “I really need to visit ….” but they never do. I am also guilty of this as we get busy with our everyday lives, but this needs to change. We need to take that opportunity to call or to visit our fellow veterans and to check up on them and again “be honest” if a veteran is checking up on you. This is the best way to “begin” the healing process for both the visitor as well as the one being visited. Sounds simple enough and I do hope that all veterans (if they are not already doing so) take the “Warrior Call Pledge.”
Now let’s take a look at the “Warrior Call Pledge” for the civilian side. While the wording is different, the underlying message is the same, and that is to provide assistance to those who may need it and to make our community a better place. That’s the bottom line here, it’s not just the elected officials’, but all our responsibility to make our community a better place.
“The Honor Ring”
I am sure the first thing on everyone’s mind is, “What is ‘The Honor Ring?’” Here is a brief description and my feelings on this:
The Honor Ring is a black band worn on the right index finger which serves as a silent salute to all military and veterans, serving as a symbol of respect and support.
The ring is worn on the right index finger because that makes it more easily identifiable. When people see someone else wearing an Honor Ring, there is an instant connection. You know that person either served or supports those of us who did. Recognizing other members of the Tribe (in this case a veteran or those still in the service) is always a great reminder that we are never alone and that we all fight this battle together.
It is also a great conversation starter. I have been asked many times why I wear a black ring on my right index finger and this gives me the opportunity to share with others on the issues surrounding veterans/military suicides and to open up a conversation that tends to otherwise be avoided or ignored.
My “Honor Ring” that I wear every day on my right index finger. The other ring was given to me by my grandmother. It belonged to my grandfather and the story behind this ring is that he and four of his fellow Marines had gone into a shop in Paris in 1917/1918 and bought one of these rings.
I began wearing an “Honor Ring” a few years ago when I began noticing other veterans wearing one. At an event I noticed Mr. Mike Fitzmaurice (MOH Vietnam) wearing this same ring and asked why he wore a black ring on his right index finger. He told me that he wears that ring for two reasons: Firstly, so others will know that he is there for his brothers and sisters and if they need someone to talk too, then as the saying goes, “The door is always open.” Secondly, Mr. Fitzmaurice told me that the ring is there for him too, and whenever he feels the pressures related to PTS (Post Traumatic Stress), he knows there are others out there that he can lean on.
To close this one out, I encourage all to do their part in taking these pledges, but most importantly to follow through with them. They have helped me become a better husband, father, veteran, and community member.
This months Medal of Honor Quote comes from Mr. Mike Fitzmaurice who earned his Medal of Honor on 23 March 1971. His quote is as follows:
I always like to share too that these quotes come from the book, Medal of Honor “Quotes” Inspiration from American’s Military Heroes. This book can be purchased from the Center for American Values in Pueblo, CO. Their website is www.americanvaluescenter.org.
Tips
For Parents And Guardians Corona Virus
Talk to children about what is happening in a way that they can understand. Keep it simple and appropriate for each child’s age.
Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know that it is okay if they feel upset. Share how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
Children may misinterpret news and can be frightened about something they do not understand. Monitor exposure to news coverage, including social media.
Resources and Information:
Center for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov
NM Department of Health www.nmhealth.org
NM Public Education Department
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/ gmcs.org/coronavirus
