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Serve here, speaker says
Veterans Day
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Veterans Day 2008
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Tommy Rieman, who received a Purple Heart medal after getting shot up in Iraq. speaks to Liberty students at the Veterans Day Ceremony- he told about his experience in Iraq - and of being in a recruiting video as well as an Action figure
Message: Help community
LIBERTY — Sgt. Tommy Rie- man joined the Army right after high school and earned Silver Star and Purple Heart awards for acts of bravery.
A gymnasium full of 1,700 Liberty students, parents and veterans saw a softer side of Rieman on Veterans Day. He told them that there are other ways to serve the country, even if they do not join the military.
He took the podium before the crowd — many students wearing the colors of the flag and waving handmade red, white and blue shakers — holding an action figure of himself in full military gear.
Rieman, 28, of Cincinnati, told the assembly of the circumstances leading to his Silver Star and Purple Heart.
He and his team were sent on a reconnaissance mission near the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in December 2003. Before reaching its destination, the three-vehicle convoy came under heavy enemy fire. Rieman moved into position, using his own body to protect his gunner and began returning fire.
Rieman suffered two bullet wounds and 11 shrapnel wounds. After refusing medical help several times, Rieman took charge and moved the convoy off the main road, out of the line of fire. He directed his men to return fire, and eventually they suppressed the attack.
The story is about more than Rieman. He said the story is more of a depiction of generations of men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
He also encouraged the audience to remember those who have served in the past.
“If [young people] are not going to serve in this uniform, there are other ways to serve the community and a lot of ways to recognize the men and woman who have served,” he said.
According to Rieman, recognition of those who have served in the past is more and more important, with more than 150 World War II veterans dying everyday. Those individuals, he said, must be honored while they are here.
Rieman’s message was backed up by a second reminder about community service from Capt. Marie Haberstroh, who works in public affairs for the Army and an organization called Civil Air Patrol. The organization teaches kids aviation and gives them a perspective on search-and-rescue operations.
Haberstroh encouraged the students to offer assistance to families who may have someone serving overseas or may be too elderly to do some things on their own.
“You can help and you can serve your country by helping those around you. Everyone can do something to help those around them,” said Haberstroh.
Rieman said students do not have far to look if they are searching for examples of those serving the community.
“Look to your teachers they are serving this country right here, right now,” he said. “You can always serve.”