Local soldier departs for Afghanistan
NORWICH – Sergeant Mike Miner of the United States Army, Tenth Mountain Division, First Brigade Combat Team, will soon be departing on a 19 hour flight from Fort Drum to Gormach, Afghanistan, his second tour of duty in the Greater Middle East.
Miner, a class of 1995 Norwich High School graduate, reported he’d previously spent 15 months in Kirkuk, Iraq, from 2007 to 2009, participating in combat patrols and protecting the oil pipelines.
“There’s nothing to say except that I’m extremely proud of him,” said Ed Hitchcock, Miner’s uncle and guardian since the age of 12. “What can you say except that it’s a testament to what this country is all about, it’s what we’re built on.”
Hitchcock stated that while his leaving is more difficult, and scarier, the second time around, his nephew has “gone above and beyond,” though the lack of communication for 3 months “makes it really tough.”
“To tell you the truth I’m scared, I just want him to get back home safe,” said former roommate and friend of 15 years Robert Faucett. “I don’t know what else to say. I’m going to miss him, my son is going to miss him, we’re all going to miss him.”
Miner said he hoped to return home on leave sometime in mid-summer, a two week break during his 12 month tour.
“I always wanted to be in the military and serve my country,” stated Miner, who will command 14 men from the lead truck in the convoy, providing navigation. “It’s my job to take care of my men, I’d gladly risk my life for my soldiers.”
According to Miner, the difficulties facing him and his men are many, including the lack of running water, electricity and heat. He added that his men will only have the opportunity to shower once per month, and that inclement weather can delay food deliveries for days at a time.
“We do what we do so that the people back home can do what they do,” commented Miner. “There’s obviously more to it than just that, but in the end I am proud to serve my country, our country.”
Hitchcock stated that his nephew is constantly in the thoughts and prayers of his friends and family, and that he keeps an “eternal flame burning in the window which I promise will never go out.”
Miner reported that the Tenth Mountain Division is the most deployed division in the military.
“We’re the baddest there is.”
Miner, a class of 1995 Norwich High School graduate, reported he’d previously spent 15 months in Kirkuk, Iraq, from 2007 to 2009, participating in combat patrols and protecting the oil pipelines.
“There’s nothing to say except that I’m extremely proud of him,” said Ed Hitchcock, Miner’s uncle and guardian since the age of 12. “What can you say except that it’s a testament to what this country is all about, it’s what we’re built on.”
Hitchcock stated that while his leaving is more difficult, and scarier, the second time around, his nephew has “gone above and beyond,” though the lack of communication for 3 months “makes it really tough.”
“To tell you the truth I’m scared, I just want him to get back home safe,” said former roommate and friend of 15 years Robert Faucett. “I don’t know what else to say. I’m going to miss him, my son is going to miss him, we’re all going to miss him.”
Miner said he hoped to return home on leave sometime in mid-summer, a two week break during his 12 month tour.
“I always wanted to be in the military and serve my country,” stated Miner, who will command 14 men from the lead truck in the convoy, providing navigation. “It’s my job to take care of my men, I’d gladly risk my life for my soldiers.”
According to Miner, the difficulties facing him and his men are many, including the lack of running water, electricity and heat. He added that his men will only have the opportunity to shower once per month, and that inclement weather can delay food deliveries for days at a time.
“We do what we do so that the people back home can do what they do,” commented Miner. “There’s obviously more to it than just that, but in the end I am proud to serve my country, our country.”
Hitchcock stated that his nephew is constantly in the thoughts and prayers of his friends and family, and that he keeps an “eternal flame burning in the window which I promise will never go out.”
Miner reported that the Tenth Mountain Division is the most deployed division in the military.
“We’re the baddest there is.”
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