Mr. Robert Stokely sends this bit of news:
Mike Stokely's unit, Troop E 108th CAV is now stateside at FT Stewart, after arriving there at 3:30 a.m. Sat. morning, April 29. They were delayed nearly two days for different reasons, including "plane broke down" in Germany. They are now going through a week long demobilization and due to return to home unit in Griffin GA on May 6 for a grand welcome home parade and celebration. This unit of 128 soldiers lost three in combat in a two week period:
SGT Mike Stokely August 16, 2005 IED, married 3 months, no children
SGT Robert Lee Hollar "Bobby" Sept. 1, 2005 IED, married two sons
SGT George Draughn Sept 1, 2005 IED not married, but one son
Hollar and Draughn were in same vehicle.
The 108th had a number of personnel wounded - SGT. Jeff Patterson and Spc.Matt Kellerman were with SGT Mike Stokely the night he was killed. Both were sent home and doing well, although Patterson has nearly a year more of reconstructive mouth and jaw surgeries. Spc. Elijah Carrol is recuperating from serious leg wound, along with Spc. ?? Mincey who was hit in head with Shrapnel and lost vision of left eye in same attack as Carrrol. They were then both nearly killed again when the MedEvac Copter came in too hot and crashed into the Landing Zone, clipping one of the Humvees setting off 50 CAL machine gun fire and the tail rotor and top rotor shattering apart. Amazingly enough, no one killed or injured, not
even the crew of the MedEvac Copter. It was quite awhile before it was known whether Carrol would lose his leg or not. He now walks with a bad limp, using a cane - at age 22.
Then there is Mays and Hall, both of which were seriously wounded and still recovering, most likely with permanent injuries and disabiliteis. Spc. Sean Long was also nearly killed, and now suffering with serious leg wound - lucky to have his leg at that.
These guys were in some of the toughest fighting in Iraq - they were in the heart of the triangle of death in what is called the "Fiyahs" - Yusufiyah (where Mike died) Mahmudiyah where Hollar and Draughn were killled, and Latifiyah. While many think of National Guardsmen doing convoy duty, or "police work", these guys replaced the hardened 10th Mountain Division to give them needed rotation relief. When it was time to rotate the 108th CAV out, they were replaced by the 101st Airborne. They were doing some heavy lifting in the "Fiyahs" and demonstrated themselves well, although the cost was high.
I am proud of my son and the men he chose to serve with - his guys. They carried a heavy load and demonstrated their skills well. Their contribution is well known and well respected. They are American Soldiers, and heroes as well. Is it any wonder that Mike Stokely would not run out on these guys - his guys, and stay behind in the safety of America and recruit? He was as proud to serve with them as they were broken to lose him in battle. But in true CAV spirit, they picked themselves up in the face of losing three brothers in two weeks, and they carried on. It was an amazing site to watch the Memorial DVD from FOB Michael in Mahmuhdiyah and see these American Soldiers paying great tribute to their fallen comrades, all the while, wearing full battle gear including rifles on their shoulder sling. You see, the enemy they fought didn't give them bereavement leave and they were locked in loaded as attacks were on-coming all the while.
Good Job Troop E 108th CAV. WELCOME HOME! MISSION ACOMPLISHED AND COMPLETE. I am proud of you; I am certain that your fallen brother, SGT Mike Stokely is proud of you. Thank you for your service, sacrifice and friendship. What you and your families have given will not be forgotten by our family.
Robert Stokely
Welcome home boys, and thank you for a job well done!
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