An American Hero
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- Spawn Of Zonk
- Tadpole
- Posts: 103
- Joined: August 13th, 2008, 7:51 pm
An American Hero
This man is a complete warrior with a great story. Here is the link to his bio. I'm not sure if non-cadets can access the site, so I also posted his info below, but it's not as cool without the picture.
SSG Rowe Stayton, USA
Squad Leader,
Alpha Company 1/153 INF BN
A 1973 Graduate of USAFA, Rowe Stayton graduated #2 Military Order of Merit (number two in his class based on Grades, Physical Aptitude, Leadership, Military Bearing, Etc.). As a cadet he was the Wing Open Boxing Champ from 1971-73. He attended flight school at Williams AFB and became a T-37 Flight Instructor before going on to fly F-15's for the 27th Fighter Squadron. He left the Air Force in 1981 to attend law school and fly the A-7 in the Iowa Air National Guard. With a total of over 2,400 flying hours in combat aircraft, he left the Air Guard in 1988 to practice law fulltime. He was admitted to Colorado Bar in 1984, and has been a practicing lawyer in Colorado with over 200 jury trials. After the terrorist attack of 9/11, SSG Stayton answered the call to serve once again, this time enlisting in the Army National Guard as an infantry soldier. He just returned in December 2008 from his second tour in Iraq as a squad leader. His awards include the Air Force Commendation medal, Army Commendation medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and most recently, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service as a Squad Leader in Iraq.
This man spoke with us today during lunch, and he was one of the few guest speakers that we've had who truly inspired me. He’s currently 59 years old and a staff sergeant in the Army, and he still sees it as a privilege to serve his country. After 9/11 happened, he said he thought (loosely quoted) “I saw the first plane hit, and I thought it was a drunken pilot or maybe he had a seizure or something. But when that second plane hit, I was so out raged, there is nothing that this country has done to deserve that. We are good guys, we really are.” He had already served as an Air Force Officer and left after reaching Captain. During his career as an Officer, he flew for the first ever F-15 fighter squadron.
It turns out that Sergeant Stayton graduated USAFA with the now Chief of the Air Force, General Norton Schwartz and the two of them were pretty good friends. After some phone calls after 9/11 he ended up getting accepted into the Army despite his deficient hearing and staggeringly uncommon age. He’s been successful and finds every day that he serves to be “a gift”, a gift of which he shares with the kids he is in charge of that are often 40+ years younger than him. Some other great quotes from this warrior: "I've always wanted to kill f**king Russians, just kind of an innate thing I guess. I met some Georgians on my last tour; they said that they'll take me in if I want to fight the Russians with them. I’m planning on joining the Georgian army as an 80 year old after I tie up a few loose ends here in our own Army. Mainly, I'm at least going to stay in long enough for us to cross that Iranian border, because I still want to kill some of those f**king Iranians before I go for the Russians.”
This guy just oozed badassidness and pride for his country. I made a point to shake hand after the lecture, and he just said he was proud to be in the company of men who choose to serve. “I’m no one special, I really don’t find myself to be all that. Frankly, neither are any of you kids. We’re all just patriots doing what patriots do, and that is why you all have such strong bonds here.”
Here is the link to the website of all of the guest speakers we have over the next few days for this Leadership Seminar stuff, looks like there are some pretty prominent speakers. Yet again, not sure if the links will work for non-cadets…
SSG Rowe Stayton, USA
Squad Leader,
Alpha Company 1/153 INF BN
A 1973 Graduate of USAFA, Rowe Stayton graduated #2 Military Order of Merit (number two in his class based on Grades, Physical Aptitude, Leadership, Military Bearing, Etc.). As a cadet he was the Wing Open Boxing Champ from 1971-73. He attended flight school at Williams AFB and became a T-37 Flight Instructor before going on to fly F-15's for the 27th Fighter Squadron. He left the Air Force in 1981 to attend law school and fly the A-7 in the Iowa Air National Guard. With a total of over 2,400 flying hours in combat aircraft, he left the Air Guard in 1988 to practice law fulltime. He was admitted to Colorado Bar in 1984, and has been a practicing lawyer in Colorado with over 200 jury trials. After the terrorist attack of 9/11, SSG Stayton answered the call to serve once again, this time enlisting in the Army National Guard as an infantry soldier. He just returned in December 2008 from his second tour in Iraq as a squad leader. His awards include the Air Force Commendation medal, Army Commendation medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and most recently, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service as a Squad Leader in Iraq.
This man spoke with us today during lunch, and he was one of the few guest speakers that we've had who truly inspired me. He’s currently 59 years old and a staff sergeant in the Army, and he still sees it as a privilege to serve his country. After 9/11 happened, he said he thought (loosely quoted) “I saw the first plane hit, and I thought it was a drunken pilot or maybe he had a seizure or something. But when that second plane hit, I was so out raged, there is nothing that this country has done to deserve that. We are good guys, we really are.” He had already served as an Air Force Officer and left after reaching Captain. During his career as an Officer, he flew for the first ever F-15 fighter squadron.
It turns out that Sergeant Stayton graduated USAFA with the now Chief of the Air Force, General Norton Schwartz and the two of them were pretty good friends. After some phone calls after 9/11 he ended up getting accepted into the Army despite his deficient hearing and staggeringly uncommon age. He’s been successful and finds every day that he serves to be “a gift”, a gift of which he shares with the kids he is in charge of that are often 40+ years younger than him. Some other great quotes from this warrior: "I've always wanted to kill f**king Russians, just kind of an innate thing I guess. I met some Georgians on my last tour; they said that they'll take me in if I want to fight the Russians with them. I’m planning on joining the Georgian army as an 80 year old after I tie up a few loose ends here in our own Army. Mainly, I'm at least going to stay in long enough for us to cross that Iranian border, because I still want to kill some of those f**king Iranians before I go for the Russians.”
This guy just oozed badassidness and pride for his country. I made a point to shake hand after the lecture, and he just said he was proud to be in the company of men who choose to serve. “I’m no one special, I really don’t find myself to be all that. Frankly, neither are any of you kids. We’re all just patriots doing what patriots do, and that is why you all have such strong bonds here.”
Here is the link to the website of all of the guest speakers we have over the next few days for this Leadership Seminar stuff, looks like there are some pretty prominent speakers. Yet again, not sure if the links will work for non-cadets…
Never Falter, Never Fail
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
- Silverback
- Ranger
- Posts: 20118
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- Spawn Of Zonk
- Tadpole
- Posts: 103
- Joined: August 13th, 2008, 7:51 pm
Re: An American Hero
Thank you Ranger Silverback.
Never Falter, Never Fail
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
- Silverback
- Ranger
- Posts: 20118
- Joined: March 7th, 2004, 11:06 pm
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: An American Hero
You know what the hardest part of being in the Air force is?
RC 2-87
3-75 84/85, 95/97
"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
3-75 84/85, 95/97
"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
Re: An American Hero
Links work.
Thanks for sharing the story with us Wil.
Thanks for sharing the story with us Wil.
B Co. FIST 3/75 Rgr Rgt.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993
For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993
For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
- Silverback
- Ranger
- Posts: 20118
- Joined: March 7th, 2004, 11:06 pm
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Re: An American Hero
Young Will?Silverback wrote:You know what the hardest part of being in the Air force is?
RC 2-87
3-75 84/85, 95/97
"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
3-75 84/85, 95/97
"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
- Spawn Of Zonk
- Tadpole
- Posts: 103
- Joined: August 13th, 2008, 7:51 pm
Re: An American Hero
No I do not Ranger Silverback, what's the hardest part about being in the Air Force?...
Never Falter, Never Fail
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
- Silverback
- Ranger
- Posts: 20118
- Joined: March 7th, 2004, 11:06 pm
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: An American Hero
Spawn Of Zonk wrote:No I do not Ranger Silverback, what's the hardest part about being in the Air Force?...
Telling your parents that your gay
RC 2-87
3-75 84/85, 95/97
"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
3-75 84/85, 95/97
"thnks 4 pratn merku!"
-
- Ranger
- Posts: 7009
- Joined: December 12th, 2005, 3:48 pm
Re: An American Hero
Great story, thanks for posting it.
WE NEED MORE RANGERS!
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Mentor to Pellet2007, ChaoticGood & RFS1307
Ranger School Class 3-69
7th Special Forces Group
K Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne)
4th Infantry Division
82d Airborne Division
12th Special Forces Group
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mentor to Pellet2007, ChaoticGood & RFS1307
Ranger School Class 3-69
7th Special Forces Group
K Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne)
4th Infantry Division
82d Airborne Division
12th Special Forces Group
- Spawn Of Zonk
- Tadpole
- Posts: 103
- Joined: August 13th, 2008, 7:51 pm
Re: An American Hero
Ranger Silverback, Here I am trying to tighten our bond by sharing a story that relates to both of us, and you respond with such harsh diatribe. It seems as if you may be repressing some of your own feelings?..Silverback wrote:Spawn Of Zonk wrote:No I do not Ranger Silverback, what's the hardest part about being in the Air Force?...
Telling your parents that your gay
Never Falter, Never Fail
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
-Robert Frost
Mentee of Ranger Zonk 1/75
-
- Ranger
- Posts: 2888
- Joined: June 14th, 2008, 4:27 pm
Re: An American Hero
I'm thinking you need to hump a radio for a TACP, CCT or aidbag for a PJ! I has the honor to drive for a JTAC in Ramadi. Cleared hot with USAF on both ends is a good thing!Silverback wrote:Spawn Of Zonk wrote:No I do not Ranger Silverback, what's the hardest part about being in the Air Force?...
Telling your parents that your gay
Doc Mac
Ranger Class 11-80
C.Co. WPNS 1/75 79-81
3rd Plt/498th Medevac 81-82
104th LRSD 92-93
422d CA BN (A) 94-97
118th ASOS 02-08
Ranger Class 11-80
C.Co. WPNS 1/75 79-81
3rd Plt/498th Medevac 81-82
104th LRSD 92-93
422d CA BN (A) 94-97
118th ASOS 02-08
-
- Ranger
- Posts: 2888
- Joined: June 14th, 2008, 4:27 pm
Re: An American Hero
JR needs to go STS after the AFA! IMHO!Zonk 1/75 wrote:The Spawn was so very inspired and stoked by this speaker that he was messaging me all yesterday afternoon about it. I kept responding with “No son. You are NOT going Blue to Green” as if I have any say…………
Doc Mac
Ranger Class 11-80
C.Co. WPNS 1/75 79-81
3rd Plt/498th Medevac 81-82
104th LRSD 92-93
422d CA BN (A) 94-97
118th ASOS 02-08
Ranger Class 11-80
C.Co. WPNS 1/75 79-81
3rd Plt/498th Medevac 81-82
104th LRSD 92-93
422d CA BN (A) 94-97
118th ASOS 02-08
Re: An American Hero
Touche'!Spawn Of Zonk wrote:Ranger Silverback, Here I am trying to tighten our bond by sharing a story that relates to both of us, and you respond with such harsh diatribe. It seems as if you may be repressing some of your own feelings?..Silverback wrote:Spawn Of Zonk wrote:No I do not Ranger Silverback, what's the hardest part about being in the Air Force?...
Telling your parents that your gay
RLTW
EP
PS: Vote to ban...
Always remember: BROS BEFORE HOES.