First Posted: 3/19/2015
William Kyle Carpenter.
I’m sure most of you, if not all of you, are not familiar with that name. You can count me in on the list. I recently came across a video piece on this remarkable young man being interviewed by David Letterman. I was moved and touched by his story as it reminded me of several local men who have given so much to the community and our country.
Kyle Carpenter is now 25 years old and very happy to have reached that age. Born in Jackson, Mississippi in October 1989, he enlisted in the United States Marines in 2009 at the age of 19.
After boot camp, he was eventually assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team One, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On Nov. 21, 2010, Carpenter joined his team to fight off an attack by the Taliban on a small village. There, he threw himself in front of a grenade to protect fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio. The explosive went off, severely injuring both men.
Carpenter suffered injuries to his face and his right arm and underwent multiple surgeries to remove shrapnel and to repair his bones. He also lost vision in his right eye, most of his teeth and his jaw, enduring dozens of surgeries to repair that damage.
In 2014, Cpl. Carpenter received the Medal of Honor at a ceremony at the White House. The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Carpenter is only one of eight living people, and the youngest, to receive this award for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Carpenter saved another human being’s life without regard for his own. When I look at what he did and how he had to fight off death I have to ponder and aslkwhat have I done in my life that comes remotely close to what he did? I can’t think of a single thing. Knowing what he did makes me reflect.
Even though I am a cancer survivor, that still pales in comparison to what Carpenter faced.
His actions makes me so thankful I live in these United States. They also makes thankful for two Greater Pittstonians who gave their lives so I can sit in my easy chair and write this column.
Army Specialist Dale Kridlo and 1st Lieutenant Jeffrey DePrimo are two fine and brave men whom I did not know, but since they lost their lives in battle, I’ve gotten to know their families. Through them, their pride and their strength, Dale and Jeffrey live on. And I’d like to thank their families for that.
Coincidently, Kridlo lost his life in Afghanistan at the age of 33 just two weeks before Cpl. Carpenter’s heroic effort. He left behind a wife and twin daughters.
DePrimo died on May 20, 2008, while serving in Ghazni, Afghanistan. The talented musician was just 35 years old.
To people like Kyle, Dale and Jeffrey, we owe so, so much and will forever be indebted to them for their sacrifice and the sacrifices of their familie.
Giving back to our country or our community doesn’t always come in the form of serving the military. I had the chance this past week to listen to the guest speaker of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner at the Woodlands. John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, the tireless International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 business manager in Philadelphia, spoke about not only his Irish roots and his love of his family, but the obligation to serve others.
Even though Vice President Joe Biden spoke the same night at the Lackawanna Country Friendly Sons event, everyone at the Wilkes-Barre dinner walked away impressed with the words from Johnny Doc.
The affair was well attended with numbers reaching close to 400. This year, three well-deserved individuals were honored. Dr. John Callahan received the Swingle Award, Msgr. John Bendik was selected for the Achievement Award and Tom Reilly Sr. was chosen Man of the Year.
Each received proclamations from the U.S. House of Representatives, the state House of Representatives, and the state Senate from U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, state Rep. Michael Carroll and state Sen. John Yudicak, respectively.
As a matter of fact, we owe a lot to all the men mentioned here. The efforts of Msgr. Bendik in establishing establishment of the Care and Concern Ministries and the involvement of Dr. Callahan with the Care and Concern Medical Free Clinic are commendable. Tom Reilly, through his talents as an engineer, has helped so many for over 50 years of his career.
The “Quote of the Week” I chose for today is so appropriate offering excellent words to live by.
Quote of the week
“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” – Albert Einstein
Thought of the week
The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision.
Bumper sticker
There are no regrets in life, just lessons.
