Medal of Honor recipients visit Hanscom School

Published Oct. 4, 2006
By Airman 1st Class Clinton Atkins
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFPN) -- The three men had seen it all. War, death and destruction had accompanied them through some of the darkest hours in U.S. history.

Across the room were more than 40 pairs of eyes -- eyes that widened as the students listened to true stories of courage and heroism that sounded as if they were taken from a Hollywood movie.

The veterans were Medal of Honor recipients. They were visiting the Hanscom Middle School Sept. 28 to share their stories and wisdom with eighth graders.

The Medal of Honor recipients were in the area because they were participating in the annual Medal of Honor convention, which was held in Boston this year.

The three men visiting Hanscom were Vietnam veterans, but each shared his own account with the students about the events that transpired during the war.

The men were retired Army Lt. Gen. Robert Foley, retired Army Col. Roger Donlon and Army Lt. Col. Gordon Roberts.

Life values, teamwork, accountability and higher education were a few of the topics that the veterans touched on.

General Foley received his Medal of Honor following a mission to save a U.S. Army company surrounded by enemy forces. He led his company to victory by single-handedly charging and destroying three machine gun nests. He successfully completed the mission.

He spoke of the importance of respect, honor and truthfulness in everyday life.

"As you go about your life, have the highest standards of honorable living, the highest standards of professional ethics, and treat everyone with respect and dignity," the general said.

General Foley recalled the people who worked hard on his education, which ultimately led to his success in life.

"If it weren't for a lot of great teachers, coaches and guidance counselors like those who helped me and mentored me when I was growing up, we wouldn't have the opportunities to do things in life and be successful in any of our vocations and endeavors," General Foley said. "So whenever you get the chance, thank your teachers and your coaches for all that they do every day, because they certainly work hard for your education."

Colonel Donlon received his medal for the actions he took when his group was outnumbered three to one by enemy soldiers. Severely wounded and fatigued, Colonel Donlon helped his troops to a fall-back spot, while providing cover. He also treated the wounded and helped direct fire.

The colonel pitched a message similar to that of the Air Force slogan "Aim High," reminding the students to always do their best.

"Set your sights high, your standards high, and your goals high and do your best. And when you know in your heart you've done your best, no one can take fault."

Colonel Roberts is one of the few Medal of Honor recipients still serving in the military. He received his medal for his actions in the battle for Hamburger Hill.

Colonel Roberts single-handedly destroyed four enemy machine gun positions in an attempt to aid an Army company surrounded by enemy forces. After he reached the company, he assisted in moving wounded soldiers away from the line of fire into an area with cover.

Colonel Roberts spoke of teamwork and the role each child plays in the cohesion of a military family.

He closed his remarks by saying, "This is why General Foley, Colonel Donlon and I serve the country. It's for young people just like you," he said.

"It's our very desperate hope and desire to ensure you have the same opportunities in life that we've been given," Colonel Roberts said.

When the three Soldiers were finished with their presentations, the students were given the chance to ask them questions.

One student asked Colonel Donlon how he felt when he came back from the war and nobody honored the servicemembers.

The colonel said that when he returned in 1964, 40,000 people took to the streets to welcome the troops home.

"But when I went back another time later in the war, things changed," he said. "There was dissent and disagreement, and even disrespect amongst our citizens.

"Old warriors will generally say, 'The war in Vietnam was not lost on the battlefield, it was lost on Main Street, because we allowed ourselves to become divided,'" he said.

The eighth graders seemed intrigued to hear about the personal experience of the veteran war heroes.

"It was amazing what they did for their country," eighth grader Derek Dennis said.

"Hearing their stories was very moving," said Chris Payton, eighth grade student.

The war heroes gave the students their words of wisdom to live their lives by.

"The messages that they conveyed reinforce the same values that we try to instill in our students," said Mark Kaufman, Hanscom Middle School principal.

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