thedrifter
05-17-07, 09:42 AM
Marinehelpscope with loss
RECORD STAFF WRITER
By Pam Fleming
U.S. Marine Corps officer Lt. Col. Mindy Herrmann has one of the toughest jobs in the world.
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The Northville resident handles the difficult task of notifying next of kin when a local Marine falls in the line of duty.
To date, her unit, the 1st Battalion/24th Marine Corps Regiment, has notified eight families in southeast Michigan.
Other notification units serve outside the Metro Detroit region. Members literally knock on doors when bad news arrives, a job few covet.
And, although it's emotional, Hermann considers it an honor and privilege to work with these families.
A U.S. Naval Academy graduate currently serving at the Selfridge Air National Guard base in Mount Clemens, Herrmann will receive a Wayne County resolution Saturday in recognition of her work.
The resolution will be presented at 9 a.m. during the Wayne County Veterans Appreciation Day at Hines Park.
Marines from many walks
Herrmann said her reserve battalion is an infantry or war-fighting unit with people from many walks of life.
"We have a lawyer, teachers, a firefighter, surgeon and police officers," she said.
Activated in June 2006, the unit's deployment to Iraq began in September 2006 and ended at the end of April.
Many members received a heroes' welcome a few weekends ago when they returned to the area. Others did not return.
But Herrmann said some families who had lost a loved one came to the homecoming to show their love and support.
Her Marine Corps support team members also provide assistance to families of fallen soldiers.
"We do things like help families when their health insurance changes," Herrmann said.
They deserve the credit
Although she's being recognized by the county on Saturday, Herrmann doesn't think she should get any credit.
"These young Marines who are serving their country should be getting the recognition," she said.
Herrmann said these men serve their country at tremendous personal sacrifice.
"They miss the births of their babies, the death of a parent, family members' illnesses and injuries," she said.
Herrmann, who grew up in Kalamazoo, moved to Northville Sept. 10, 2001 — the day before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
She and her husband, Fred, whom she met at the U.S. Naval Academy, have two children.
He was on active duty for five years, served as a reservist in her unit and now practices law in Detroit.
Progress made in Iraq
Herrmann said Americans should be glad U.S. troops are still in Iraq.
"We've got an impatient populous," she said. "What you don't hear are the good things that are happening over there.
" I'm proud of what our battalion has done in Iraq to make the area safer and the Iraqi government better able to stand on its own. I definitely think they've made progress. For a Marine, the most important thing is winning."
She hopes to announce the dedication of a proposed memorial for the 22 members of the U.S. Marines from her battalion who have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. About 1,100 Marines belong to the unit.
She said the families she's met who have lost a loved one in Iraq are wonderful, just like their sons and daughters who served our country.
"These family members deserve the never-ending gratitude of the American people," Herrmann said. "They are in a class by themselves."
Pam Fleming is a staff writer for the Northville Record. She can be reached at (24 349-1700, ext. 105, or at pfleming@gannett.com.
Ellie
RECORD STAFF WRITER
By Pam Fleming
U.S. Marine Corps officer Lt. Col. Mindy Herrmann has one of the toughest jobs in the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Northville resident handles the difficult task of notifying next of kin when a local Marine falls in the line of duty.
To date, her unit, the 1st Battalion/24th Marine Corps Regiment, has notified eight families in southeast Michigan.
Other notification units serve outside the Metro Detroit region. Members literally knock on doors when bad news arrives, a job few covet.
And, although it's emotional, Hermann considers it an honor and privilege to work with these families.
A U.S. Naval Academy graduate currently serving at the Selfridge Air National Guard base in Mount Clemens, Herrmann will receive a Wayne County resolution Saturday in recognition of her work.
The resolution will be presented at 9 a.m. during the Wayne County Veterans Appreciation Day at Hines Park.
Marines from many walks
Herrmann said her reserve battalion is an infantry or war-fighting unit with people from many walks of life.
"We have a lawyer, teachers, a firefighter, surgeon and police officers," she said.
Activated in June 2006, the unit's deployment to Iraq began in September 2006 and ended at the end of April.
Many members received a heroes' welcome a few weekends ago when they returned to the area. Others did not return.
But Herrmann said some families who had lost a loved one came to the homecoming to show their love and support.
Her Marine Corps support team members also provide assistance to families of fallen soldiers.
"We do things like help families when their health insurance changes," Herrmann said.
They deserve the credit
Although she's being recognized by the county on Saturday, Herrmann doesn't think she should get any credit.
"These young Marines who are serving their country should be getting the recognition," she said.
Herrmann said these men serve their country at tremendous personal sacrifice.
"They miss the births of their babies, the death of a parent, family members' illnesses and injuries," she said.
Herrmann, who grew up in Kalamazoo, moved to Northville Sept. 10, 2001 — the day before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
She and her husband, Fred, whom she met at the U.S. Naval Academy, have two children.
He was on active duty for five years, served as a reservist in her unit and now practices law in Detroit.
Progress made in Iraq
Herrmann said Americans should be glad U.S. troops are still in Iraq.
"We've got an impatient populous," she said. "What you don't hear are the good things that are happening over there.
" I'm proud of what our battalion has done in Iraq to make the area safer and the Iraqi government better able to stand on its own. I definitely think they've made progress. For a Marine, the most important thing is winning."
She hopes to announce the dedication of a proposed memorial for the 22 members of the U.S. Marines from her battalion who have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. About 1,100 Marines belong to the unit.
She said the families she's met who have lost a loved one in Iraq are wonderful, just like their sons and daughters who served our country.
"These family members deserve the never-ending gratitude of the American people," Herrmann said. "They are in a class by themselves."
Pam Fleming is a staff writer for the Northville Record. She can be reached at (24 349-1700, ext. 105, or at pfleming@gannett.com.
Ellie