thedrifter
06-12-08, 04:31 AM
Kirk Dooley: Former Highland Park teammates reunite on Iraq battlefield
12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, June 12, 2008
Haditha is a predominantly Sunni Muslim farming city of 100,000 situated on the Euphrates River in the western Iraqi province of Anbar.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment planned an operation with the Navy's Riverine Squadron Three in Haditha. The sailors were to deliver the Marines to the fight zone at the beach and block insurgent waterborne escapes. It was the biggest joint unit operation so far for either unit.
The night before the battle, Riverine Force commander of operations, Lt. Charles Leary, greeted Marine infantry platoon commander, 1st Lt. Patrick George. While the enlisted men carried out their orders, the two commanders had a chance for some small talk. They seemed vaguely familiar to one another.
They realized they were both Texans, then discovered that they were both from Dallas and finally that they both graduated from Highland Park High School.
Lt. Leary, son of Anne and Joe Leary, graduated from HPHS in 2000. Lt. George, son of Tricia and Kenn George, graduated in 2001. They were teammates on coach Randy Allen's first HP football team in 1999. Lt. Leary was an offensive guard, and Lt. George was a kicker.
Neither had known the other had gone into the military. Both acknowledged the impact of their coaches and Scout leaders.
As the sun set on the Euphrates, the reunited teammates pulled out some cigars and nonalcoholic beer and told stories into the night. They reminisced about Dallas and talked about how much they missed Texas girls. They agreed that they enjoy their time in Iraq and are proud to serve their country. It was a grand night.
The next morning, Lt. Leary's squadron delivered Lt. George's Marine platoon up the Euphrates to the battlefield. Helicopters hovered overhead, jets buzzed the sky and tanks lumbered on nearby hills. Lt. George led the offensive as the first Marine ashore.
The mission was a success. The U.S. had no casualties. The Navy boats brought the Marines safely back downriver. As the two groups headed back to their respective bases, Lt. Leary and Lt. George shook hands and said that they hoped they could fight together again someday.
It is a small-world story of two young men who have honored their high school motto by successfully going forth to serve ... as leaders halfway around the world.
Kirk Dooley is a freelance writer in University Park.
Ellie
12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, June 12, 2008
Haditha is a predominantly Sunni Muslim farming city of 100,000 situated on the Euphrates River in the western Iraqi province of Anbar.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Regiment planned an operation with the Navy's Riverine Squadron Three in Haditha. The sailors were to deliver the Marines to the fight zone at the beach and block insurgent waterborne escapes. It was the biggest joint unit operation so far for either unit.
The night before the battle, Riverine Force commander of operations, Lt. Charles Leary, greeted Marine infantry platoon commander, 1st Lt. Patrick George. While the enlisted men carried out their orders, the two commanders had a chance for some small talk. They seemed vaguely familiar to one another.
They realized they were both Texans, then discovered that they were both from Dallas and finally that they both graduated from Highland Park High School.
Lt. Leary, son of Anne and Joe Leary, graduated from HPHS in 2000. Lt. George, son of Tricia and Kenn George, graduated in 2001. They were teammates on coach Randy Allen's first HP football team in 1999. Lt. Leary was an offensive guard, and Lt. George was a kicker.
Neither had known the other had gone into the military. Both acknowledged the impact of their coaches and Scout leaders.
As the sun set on the Euphrates, the reunited teammates pulled out some cigars and nonalcoholic beer and told stories into the night. They reminisced about Dallas and talked about how much they missed Texas girls. They agreed that they enjoy their time in Iraq and are proud to serve their country. It was a grand night.
The next morning, Lt. Leary's squadron delivered Lt. George's Marine platoon up the Euphrates to the battlefield. Helicopters hovered overhead, jets buzzed the sky and tanks lumbered on nearby hills. Lt. George led the offensive as the first Marine ashore.
The mission was a success. The U.S. had no casualties. The Navy boats brought the Marines safely back downriver. As the two groups headed back to their respective bases, Lt. Leary and Lt. George shook hands and said that they hoped they could fight together again someday.
It is a small-world story of two young men who have honored their high school motto by successfully going forth to serve ... as leaders halfway around the world.
Kirk Dooley is a freelance writer in University Park.
Ellie