thedrifter
07-06-08, 08:45 AM
Four brothers, all soldiers, reunite for holiday
Posted by jthompso July 05, 2008 06:00AM
Lakeland, NY -- Friday was an emotional Independence Day for Bill and Joy Coleman. They're unsure if, or when, they'll see their four boys together again.
Bill pulled a few strings so his newly enlisted Army son could join his three military stepbrothers at the family's Lakeland home. He saw the Fourth of July gathering as a belated Mother's and Father's Day celebration and an early wedding anniversary present for his wife.
"This is a treat for us," Joy said, beaming as the four men stood next to each other in their formal military uniforms. "You never know, with the wars going on."
Staff Sgt. Joshua Ort, 24, was the first to enlist, joining the Air Force seven years ago. Staff Sgt. Jason Ort, 23, enlisted in the same branch two years later.
Nineteen-year-old Justin Ort joined the Marines last year. And the Orts' older stepbrother, Randy Coleman, 25, has been in the Army for just 17 weeks now.
The four men hadn't been together in five years. All plan to serve at least 20 years and make the military a career.
It's a family legacy that dates back to World War II. The sons' grandfathers fought in wars and the Orts' maternal grandmother, Barbara Bandera, worked in the bomb factories. Bill was in the Marines and Joy served in the Navy.
"We all thought this was the best way," Joshua said. "We don't have money for college. This is the way to get a good education. And we have a legacy."
Joshua, who works in military intelligence, began his service before U.S. troops were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The events that followed didn't discourage his siblings from following suit, though each decided for themselves which branch to join, based on their interests and expectations.
None of the four have been to the Middle East yet, but all are counting on at least one tour of duty there.
Jason, a telecommunications specialist, will go to Afghanistan later this year to assist in the reconstruction effort. Joshua is projected for an Iraq deployment early next year.
Justin, a certified sharpshooter, thinks his call to combat is inevitable. And Randy, fresh out of boot camp and the father of a 3-year-old boy, believes front-line action is in his future as well.
All four say they're looking forward to the opportunity.
Randy, Jason and Justin look up to Joshua not just for his career accomplishments and the positive example he set by enlisting first, but also for his dedication to military traditions. On a volunteer basis, he served in an honor guard that buried 200 veterans, including three that were killed in active duty.
"As hard as it was," Joshua said, "I learned a great respect for what I'm doing."
Bill and Joy said as dangerous as the war on terrorism has become, the pay, benefits and educational opportunities for military personnel are much more generous than when they served some 30-plus years ago. They worry about their boys facing enemy fire, but they're confident their government will take care of them.
"I don't worry about it so much. When I was in, it was like, you're a Marine, you can take it," said Bill, a disabled veteran who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after the Vietnam War. "Now they make sure these guys get help."
"People aren't going to be spitting on them like they did with us. Now, even if they're not for the war itself, they're still supporting those who are fighting over there," Bill said.
Jim Commentucci/The Post-StandardBill and Joy Coleman stand for a photo Friday with their sons (from left) Jason Ort (US Air Force), Justin Ort (US Marines), Randall Coleman (US Army), Joshua Ort (US Air Force), and Josh's wife Michelle Ort in the backyard of the Colemans' home in Lakeland. Bill Coleman is the stepfather of the three Ort brothers.
Ellie
Posted by jthompso July 05, 2008 06:00AM
Lakeland, NY -- Friday was an emotional Independence Day for Bill and Joy Coleman. They're unsure if, or when, they'll see their four boys together again.
Bill pulled a few strings so his newly enlisted Army son could join his three military stepbrothers at the family's Lakeland home. He saw the Fourth of July gathering as a belated Mother's and Father's Day celebration and an early wedding anniversary present for his wife.
"This is a treat for us," Joy said, beaming as the four men stood next to each other in their formal military uniforms. "You never know, with the wars going on."
Staff Sgt. Joshua Ort, 24, was the first to enlist, joining the Air Force seven years ago. Staff Sgt. Jason Ort, 23, enlisted in the same branch two years later.
Nineteen-year-old Justin Ort joined the Marines last year. And the Orts' older stepbrother, Randy Coleman, 25, has been in the Army for just 17 weeks now.
The four men hadn't been together in five years. All plan to serve at least 20 years and make the military a career.
It's a family legacy that dates back to World War II. The sons' grandfathers fought in wars and the Orts' maternal grandmother, Barbara Bandera, worked in the bomb factories. Bill was in the Marines and Joy served in the Navy.
"We all thought this was the best way," Joshua said. "We don't have money for college. This is the way to get a good education. And we have a legacy."
Joshua, who works in military intelligence, began his service before U.S. troops were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The events that followed didn't discourage his siblings from following suit, though each decided for themselves which branch to join, based on their interests and expectations.
None of the four have been to the Middle East yet, but all are counting on at least one tour of duty there.
Jason, a telecommunications specialist, will go to Afghanistan later this year to assist in the reconstruction effort. Joshua is projected for an Iraq deployment early next year.
Justin, a certified sharpshooter, thinks his call to combat is inevitable. And Randy, fresh out of boot camp and the father of a 3-year-old boy, believes front-line action is in his future as well.
All four say they're looking forward to the opportunity.
Randy, Jason and Justin look up to Joshua not just for his career accomplishments and the positive example he set by enlisting first, but also for his dedication to military traditions. On a volunteer basis, he served in an honor guard that buried 200 veterans, including three that were killed in active duty.
"As hard as it was," Joshua said, "I learned a great respect for what I'm doing."
Bill and Joy said as dangerous as the war on terrorism has become, the pay, benefits and educational opportunities for military personnel are much more generous than when they served some 30-plus years ago. They worry about their boys facing enemy fire, but they're confident their government will take care of them.
"I don't worry about it so much. When I was in, it was like, you're a Marine, you can take it," said Bill, a disabled veteran who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after the Vietnam War. "Now they make sure these guys get help."
"People aren't going to be spitting on them like they did with us. Now, even if they're not for the war itself, they're still supporting those who are fighting over there," Bill said.
Jim Commentucci/The Post-StandardBill and Joy Coleman stand for a photo Friday with their sons (from left) Jason Ort (US Air Force), Justin Ort (US Marines), Randall Coleman (US Army), Joshua Ort (US Air Force), and Josh's wife Michelle Ort in the backyard of the Colemans' home in Lakeland. Bill Coleman is the stepfather of the three Ort brothers.
Ellie