Return to Schweinfurt
The Program
As with all military units returning from deployments, The Dagger Brigade planned to conduct ceremonies and activities at their garrison in Germany to celebrate their redeployment and honor their Fallen Soldiers. The opportunity for participation by Wounded Soldiers and Families of Fallen Soldiers of the Brigade located in the United States was limited, given the high personal cost of travel.
The Weston Supports Initiative, in partnership with the Dagger Guardian Association, commenced a drive in the Fall of 2007 to fly Wounded Dagger Brigade Soldiers and Families of Fallen Soldiers in the United States to Germany to participate in Brigade ceremonies in January 2008. Through the generous help of two organizations and contributions by individuals, the program was a complete success.
The trips provided strong motivation for Soldiers in treatment to work hard to prepare for the long trip to Germany. A sergeant whom I met at WRAMC in October shortly after a devastating EFP attack which ripped through both of his legs told me at our first meeting that he planned to walk by Christmas in order to make the trip in January. When I called him on Christmas Day, he told me that he had walked with his new legs five days previously. His mother planned to escort him on the trip to Schweinfurt and wanted to meet the Soldiers who applied the tourniquets which saved his life.
For the next of kin of Fallen Soldiers, the trip provided an opportunity to meet the Platoonmates and Officers who were important parts of their Soldiers’ lives. They could also participate in the Battalion and Brigade memorial dedications to their Fallen Soldiers, share stories and hear tributes to their Heroes.
The Soldiers returning from Iraq had experienced their own loss and trauma with the abrupt removal of Wounded and Fallen Friends from the battlefield. Reunions with friends and next of kin would allow these Soldiers to express their appreciation and share their grief.
Why
The Dagger Brigade has been successful in dramatically reducing violence in its areas of responsibility but the deployment has been costly. 59 Dagger Soldiers lost their lives during this deployment. Dozens of Soldiers sustained severe injuries requiring evacuation to the United States for treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Their path typically has been through Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC and Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. For many Soldiers, their recoveries will take months or years and they are unable to continue their careers in the Army.
My son Whit and I visited Wounded Dagger Soldiers at Landstuhl and I have visited Dagger Soldiers a number of times at Walter Reed in Washington DC. During our visits with these Soldiers, I have been struck by the pride which these Soldiers have in their service to our country, the determination with which they face very difficult and painful roads to recovery and the strong camaraderie and loyalty which they and their fellow Soldiers feel for each other. I have also attended services at Arlington National Cemetery for members of the Dagger Brigade and witnessed the profound grief which Families experience as well as the tenderness with which fellow Soldiers express their support and share their pain.
How You Can Participate
There are two ways in which Westonites and other friends of the Dagger Brigade can help – through donation of funds to the Dagger Guardian Association or through donation of air miles.
Donations of Funds
You can support the Return to Schweinfurt drive by contributing funds to the Dagger Guardian Association – Wounded Warrior Account which will be applied towards tickets or travel expenses for the Wounded Soldiers and Families of Fallen Soldiers. Information on how to donate funds can be found on the Dagger Guardian website at: http://daggerguardian.org
You can support Wounded Soldiers and Families of Fallen Soldiers of the Brigade. Information on how to donate funds can be found on the Dagger Guardian website at: http://daggerguardian.org
The Dagger Guardian Association is a non-profit group and has applied for 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status.
Donation of Miles
The Weston Supports initiative and its sister organization, the Dagger Guardian Association, are currently making arrangements for the donation of airline miles from all major US carriers in any amount toward tickets for the Wounded Warrior and Fallen Soldier Support. Details will be made available on this website shortly. Please check back for updates.
Gil Sanborn
Weston, CT