Commanders Call

Hello again from the Commander, Again we have so busy I have not kept up with entries on the website, This one will be a little sad. The war has come home for me and some of my closest friends, One of my best friends Mark Otto has lost his step-son to the unfairness of life and war. His Step-son’s name was Spc Norman Cain III of the Illinois Army National Guard. I have known Norman from when he was a teen, I have worked with Mark for over 17 years as police officers in Freeport. Norman knew that I was a Air Force Vet and in CAP and He and I talked a lot at his deployment party last summer. We talked about our pride in our country and the uniform we wear and the duty that comes with it. And we talked about the fear of being away from our loved ones and the fear of death. Norman was a fine young man and he loved his family and his country deeply.

On 15 March 2009 Norman and three other Guardsmen were patrolling in a HUMVE in Afghanistan when they were hit by a road side bomb. All four Guardsman were killed. My heart sank when I got the call about the loss of Norman. He had a wife and baby and he was only 22years old. As Some of you know we were asked by the family if some cadets and senior could be there when Norman’s body arrived at the Rockford Airport on Sat 21^st of March. And in the true sprint of the Rockford Composite Squadron of CAP a lot of you were willing to be on standby that day and give up your free time for people you did not even know. Outstanding!

As it turned out the flight was delayed until Monday morning. The family then told me that because they some kids had school and seniors had jobs they canceled.

On Monday I was there as a Police Officer to drive s patrol car in the motorcade for Norman, we would escort him home to Freeport along Route 20. I waited with Officers from all over the area and family for plane to arrive at the hanger. It was sad and quiet. And I watched the Army Guard Honor Guard practice their drill movements. Then the plane arrived and as it taxied to the hanger there were two Rockford Fire Dept fire trucks that sat on both sides of the taxiway and as the plane passed they shot crossed streams of water over the plane in salute . Then the plane shut down and there was quiet again except for the rain hitting the hanger. The doors of the plane opened and they brought out the flag draped casket with Spc Norman Cain III inside, Although my heart was breaking with the cries of the family and friends I all of sudden had a tremendous pride in my chest. I was proud of Norman and that he gave his life for all of us when he could of not went. We escorted Norman Home with Police cars, Fire Trucks and Motorcycles Home. As we were driving west on Route #20 I happened to look to left and on the side of the road was a car parked and there with five Army National Guardsman standing at attention in uniform in the rain saluting their fallen brother. I had the wipe the tears from eyes to see the road..

Norman did not die for nothing as a teenager in a DUI crash, Gang shooting or a drug overdose.

Norman died serving his people and making sure that we fight the enemy over there and not here. He is a hero and will always be remembered at one. Cadets and seniors remember this every time you go to put your uniform on you put on part of Norman Cain III and the millions of Soldiers who have given everything they had for that uniform and the country they loved. Wear it with the respect that is owed to it. And when you see service man or woman please shake their hands and thank them for their service to us as Americans .. Thank you all for your service

Capt. Ron Gwlatney Commander IL-251 CAP