Retired SFC Matthew Netzel Awarded Purple Heart

Filed under Advocate Story, Soldier Story by on June 8, 2011 at 9:59 am {6 comments}

By Deana Perry, AW2 Advocate

Retired SFC Matthew Netzel holds his two-year-old daughter, Abigail, while speaking to the audience at his Purple Heart Ceremony.

When retired SFC Mattew Netzel first asked for my help with his Purple Heart, I told him, “Sure, no problem, we can do that.” Then the details came. We first tracked down his treating physician for medical documentation on his injuries sustained in Afghanistan in 2006—two thousand six! Quietly, I was thinking, oh boy, how do I do that? Can I do that? But I wasn’t about to let Netzel know that I was uncertain of my success. If I told him I would only try, then I might be tempted to only try. In my mind, he was holding me accountable to follow through. He was going to get his Purple Heart. And, that required more than just a nice try.

Last month, my husband, my son, and I walked down the sidewalk outside the city hall building toward the Purple Heart Memorial in Harker Heights, TX. It was drizzling and a bit humid as we approached the crowd. I saw Netzel standing near the memorial, surrounded by his Family and friends. It was there where he received his Purple Heart during a ceremony hosted by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Central Texas Chapter #1876. I watched and swelled with pride and satisfaction as retired MG Stewart Meyer pinned the Purple Heart to Netzel’s chest and said the Purple Heart was a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices he made for his country. When Netzel spoke, with his daughter in his arms, he thanked the crowd and said, “It makes you reflect on the ones that aren’t able to be here.”

So, I did leave a lot out of this story, but the how doesn’t seem as imporatant as the who and why. Netzel is an inspiration to me, and it was a priviledge to be a part of the efforts that ensured he received recognition for his sacrifices while defending our nation. Almost every time we talk, he thanks me for helping him, but I’m not the one who is owed thanks. It is an honor to serve as his AW2 Advocate. Thank you, Matt!

Editor’s Note: SFC Matthew Netzel was injured in November 2006 when his 11-man patrol was ambushed by as many as 60 Taliban fighters. Four rocket-propelled grenades detonated next to Netzel and two other Soldiers. The blast threw Netzel off a 10-foot embankment onto a rockbed.

AW2 Veteran Receives Purple Heart from BG Cheek

Filed under Advocate Story, Soldier Story by on March 5, 2010 at 10:00 am {no comments}

By Ayandria Barry, AW2 Advocate

(L-R) BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander, AW2 Veteran Mike Timm, and AW2 Advocate Yan Barry at the Purple Heart ceremony.

(L-R) BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander, AW2 Veteran Mike Timm, and AW2 Advocate Yan Barry at the Purple Heart ceremony.

On April 4, 2004, in Sadr City, Iraq, AW2 Soldier SGT Mike Timm’s platoon had just returned from patrolling in the city and within 10 minutes there was a call for the entire Forward Operation Base to load up. He wasn’t clear on what the mission was but within minutes they were loaded up and moving out of the base in a convoy. SGT Timm was in the back of a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV), when they were told that they were going to rescue a patrol that had taken fire and was pinned down in the city.

On the way to rescue them, many of the roads were blocked by makeshift road blocks and tire-fires. As SGT Timm’s patrol made a turn a few blocks from the objective they came under heavy fire, and he was the first of many to be hit. A bullet went through his left forearm and entered his right forearm, blowing out an inch of bone and leaving him unable to use his hands. The next few minutes were horrible as he lay on his back unable to do anything while his fellow comrades were under fire. After what seemed like forever they started moving and he was hit again in his right knee, leaving it peppered with shrapnel. To this day, he is still seeing doctors to remove the shrapnel that pierced his leg.

On January 7, 2010, AW2 Veteran Mike Timm was presented his Purple Heart in a ceremony performed by BG Gary Cheek, Commander, Warrior Transition Command. As Mike’s AW2 Advocate, I worked with the Army Awards Section to ensure this Soldier’s award was rceived. I helped review his records and get the proper documents to the Awards Branch and on August 26, 2009, he was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries received in the attack that ended his military career.

When BG Cheek presented the Purple Heart during the ceremony at the Warrior Transition Command, Mike said, “Before today I did not feel like I was still a part of the military, today I know that I am still a part of the Army Family and it feels good.”

Seeing Mike receive his Purple Heart was a great experience for me. Being the daughter of a Soldier that was killed in Vietnam, I was proud to be in attendance to personally see the Soldier receive his Purple Heart.

Community Comes Together for a Purple Heart

Filed under Soldier Story, Staff Stories by on October 16, 2009 at 5:25 pm {no comments}
AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell and his wife Alisha at his Purple Heart ceremony on October 10, 2009.

AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell and his wife Alisha at his Purple Heart ceremony on October 10, 2009.

By Lee McMahon, WTC Stratcom

On July 2, 2006, on a road east of Balad, Iraq, the vehicle AW2 Veteran Jeremy Harrell was traveling in was struck by an anti-tank hand grenade. Harrell received shrapnel and burns before leaping into action and responding to the attack by pulling the gunner to safety and returning fire. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.

On October 10, 2009, Harrell received his Purple Heart Medal from injuries received in the 2006 attack which ultimately ended his Army career. An error in the original packet delayed the orders being issued to give Harrell his Purple Heart. Harrell’s AW2 Advocate, Cori Cabell, worked to re-submit the packet and have the Army correct the mistake. In front of Family and an audience filled with well-wishers, Harrell was presented the Purple Heart Medal by Louisiana Senator David Vitter. Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Gold Star Mothers attended the ceremony held at the U.S.S. Kidd museum in Baton Rouge.

I had a chance to speak with Jeremy Harrell before the ceremony and asked him what it meant to receive this long overdue medal.

“It brings closure to certain chapters. It verifies the last thing I earned,” he said.

LA VA Secretary Lane Carson and AW2 Veteran and LA VA Outreach Coordinator Michael McNaughton also attended the ceremony to support Harrell and his Family. AW2 Advocate Cori Cabell told me it was a remarkable sight to see. All these individuals from different decades of service, in different parts of the government, with different relationships to Harrell, all gathered for one purpose—to see a wrong made right and to honor the service of one of our country’s brave service men.

Harrell’s goal now?

“Try to live my life. One day at a time. Volunteer some of my time to other guys. Help others who have been through similar situations.”

Thank you for your service, SPC Harrell.

Purple Heart for a Deserving Soldier

Filed under Soldier Story by on January 28, 2009 at 3:49 am {no comments}

- By Clay Rankin, AW2 Advocate -

In speaking to my Soldier, SGT Jonathan Lucas, I realized that he should have been awarded a Purple Heart. The Purple Heart Award had fallen through the cracks, so I contacted Sergeant Major Brent Jurgersen and Charles Williams at AW2 Headquarters for assistance.

This award was made possible through the combined efforts of AW2 Headquarters staff and the National Guard (NG). Through the tireless efforts of SGM Jurgersen and Mr. Williams, this award was not only authorized for the ceremony, but coordinated with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) in Washington D.C. Only after this coordination took place was the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) able to get involved in preparing the ceremony for SGT Lucas. Both NG offices worked with AW2 in planning the ceremony, and provided excellent personal service to the Soldier and Family – even bringing homemade cookies. The NG provided a press release to the local media about this ceremony and is planning a possible article in the NG Magazine GX.

I coordinated with his family to surprise SGT Lucas; he was not aware of the ceremony until the day before. SGT Lucas was surrounded at the ceremony by friends and Family, many traveled from out of state to be with him and several NG leaders. West Virginia Adjutant General Allen Tackett pinned the nation’s oldest active military decoration on SGT Lucas at the WVNG Charlestown Armory on December 15, 2008.

“It’s taken a long time, far too long, to get this award,” said Major General Tackett during the ceremony. “But we were never going to give up on getting this Soldier the recognition he deserved. I’m proud that I can be here tonight to present you with this medal and tell you how much we appreciate your service. I want you to know that you’ll always be a part of the West Virginia National Guard.”

The Family was overwhelmed and happy and that was enjoyable to watch. This is a great example of how well a Soldier can be cared for by AW2, when the line personnel and headquarters work in concert with each other, the way AW2 was developed to do.

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