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thedrifter
11-20-05, 07:24 AM
Band of brothers -- and sisters
By Kimberly Kunkle
Sunday, November 20, 2005

On Nov. 9, the Ligonier Valley High School observed Veterans Day early with a special program in the school's auditorium. Members of the area ROTC program participated, joined by and honoring local veterans of military service.

For one Ligonier Valley family, this ceremony held special significance -- it was a homecoming celebration for two sons and a reaffirmation of family commitment to America's military and values for a daughter who has just joined the ROTC.

Christopher Hootman, who turned 21 in April, returned recently after 18 months overseas with his Army Reserve unit, the 103rd Armored Division. U.S. Marine Michael Hootman, 23, came home on leave a few weeks ago after serving eight months in Afghanistan, followed by eight months in Iraq.

Their sister, Brittany Kozar, a high school sophomore, is in her first year with the Air Force ROTC program. Their mother, Sherry Kozar, says Brittany "would really like to go to a military school."

There's something different about these young servicemen, who walked back into their old school after serving in combat a seeming lifetime away overseas, and even the current high school ROTC members. A steadiness of gaze, a seriousness of mien, an assured maturity, set them apart from the regular kids who larked out of the auditorium after the Veterans Day commemoration.

There is no mistaking that Christopher and Michael Hootman are men, not boys. As Civil War veterans would say, "they have seen the elephant." Their mother has been quietly stunned by some of the photos she's seen on their computers, and by what must be in the photo folders her sons have told her they do not want her to see -- what she knows her sons have seen.

"There was one, I realized, that must be blood -- then I thought, but what is that stuff over in that corner, and finally," she says, "my son said, 'I'm sorry Mom, that's brains.'"

And yet, if you want a measure of how young these brave and stalwart servicemen are, consider: Although Michael was on stage for part of the ceremonies, resplendent in his Marine Corps dress uniform, Christopher was in the back of the auditorium with family and friends, not able to participate because he had outgrown his dress uniform, adding about an inch and a half in height, during his time serving in Iraq.

When asked "what is the one thing you'd like to say, that you think people should read, about your service in this war," said Michael, who soon will be heading back to continue his service. "The U.S. is doing a good job there; it was better when I left there than when I arrived there, in Fallujah."

Christopher's response: "In my time in Iraq, I made some of the best friends I'll have for life; the guys I served with in my platoon."

That ethos of service and sense of brotherhood that imbue some of the finest men and women in America were brought home to those who were in the auditorium or nearby for some time after the Ligonier Valley High School Veterans Day commemoration ended.

Brotherhood, and now sisterhood, was evident during that Ligonier Valley High School ceremony.

High school ROTC members escorted local veterans representing those from their era and area of service -- Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea, World War II, each with their service record briefly described -- onto the stage.

The faces on stage could not have been more reverent or serious during the next phase of the ceremony. When each service's musical theme was played, representatives of each service appeared and stood with their flagbearers -- and young people throughout the auditorium stood with pride when the branch in which someone in their family had served was announced and honored.

A serious young woman in uniform, Alex Richardville, the JROTC squadron commander, directed the ceremony.

"We take great pride in welcoming our distinguished visitors: the military veterans and their families from our local area," Richardville said. "On behalf of all the members of the Pride of Ligonier Valley Air Force Junior ROTC, we thank all the veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. We are here because of you, and we will never forget your contribution to keep America free."

Many audience members stayed to talk with the Hootman brothers after the ceremony.

Michael, a corporal who has one more year in the Marines this "hitch" and might return overseas in February, served in the 2nd Division, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Bravo Company, Weapons Platoon, in Fallujah, went out to look for insurgents and improvised explosive devices, and, on tips, went into houses to search for weapons and was in a Humvee when its windshield "was shot up."

Christopher, a specialist with the 1st Division, 103rd Armored Division, Bravo Company, was based in Bayji, Iraq, north of Baghdad, not far from Tikrit.

The two young men have seen friends shot and injured, and have faced danger themselves. They say they're proud of the job they and fellow servicemen have done; they're proud to be part of a band of brothers.

Ellie

rb1651
11-20-05, 03:12 PM
Great article!!! That is one family anyone would be proud to be a part of.

A BAND OF BROTHERS, INDEED!!!:yes: