Unnamed Heroes By: Korry Leverett

I came across this amazing story my amazing husband wrote back in 2009 on his deployment in Iraq.  His words still move me today!  

Unnamed Heroes

By 1st Lt. Korry Leverett

407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Recently I made the journey from Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Mont., to Ali Base, Iraq.  It was a lengthy process to say the least but upon arrival I became privy to all the amazing things Airmen are doing in the 120 degree heat, day and night.  As impressed as I was, and still am, I was swiftly reminded of the serious nature of the business we are in and the toll it takes on the men and women who sacrifice so much for our nation.

As evening approached and moonlight filled the sky at Ali Base, Iraq, 20 or so Airmen and Soldiers gathered at the tail end of a C-130 Hercules to pay their respects to three soldiers who had been killed the night before.  It was one of the most gut wrenching events of our short lives but we knew it had to be done.  Lining both sides of the aircraft in preparation for the transfer my heart raced.  The mood was somber and silence filled the night sky.  I didn’t know what to expect of myself and even more importantly I did not know what to expect of two of my young Airmen that were there with me.

“I need you two now,” said Chief Master Sgt. Gerald Delebreau, superintendent for the 407th Air Expeditionary Group at Ali Base, Iraq.  He was looking straight at my Airmen and requesting their immediate assistance with the transfer.  I could see they were a little surprised but they did not hesitate.  They had just been asked to assist in the transfer of a fallen comrade … no questions asked, they were there to support.

As the vehicle backed up to the procession and the transfer team began to unload the flag draped caskets our detail was called to attention and the order to present arms was given.  We stood eye to eye at attention, saluting as the team passed in front of us three times.  We were doing everything we could to pay the proper respect to those who paid the ultimate price.

As the procession ended and the detail was dismissed I could see out of the corner of my eye a large group of Airmen, many of whom worked on the flightline, off in the distance standing at attention.  I was moved by their presence … they had made every effort to cease operations for even just a moment in time to pay their respect.

As we drove back to our CHU (compartmentalized housing unit) late that evening neither my Airmen nor I could say a word.  I could tell they were deeply moved by the event and found out the next morning that neither slept well that evening.

We had no idea who the fallen soldiers were we just knew that we had to take a moment in time to honor those who sacrificed so much.  Though they were nameless to us they will live forever in our minds as American heroes.

Photo book from 2013

I have always ordered my photo books from Apple or York Photo, so I received a coupon in the mail for a free photo book from shutterfly…so who turns down free photo book!?  Certainly not me!  Well I'm hoping it comes quickly and I love it, but here is the digital version!  :)

Click here to view this photo book larger

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Our Yearly Letter

Dear Family & Friends,

This has been a pretty eventful year for this Leverett clan!  First new thing is our new address in Misawa, Japan.  We received our orders the end of last December and arrived at our new home middle of February.  It’s been pretty crazy, but we’re getting settled in slowly!   We had our first big trip over Memorial Day and went to Tokyo for the weekend.  We saw the Emperial Palace, went up the Tokyo Tower and spent a day at Tokyo Disney.  It was a lot of fun, but extremely expensive!  So our trips will probably be few and far between.

Kiley started the 4^th grade this year and is loving school.  She had one B+ in math and the rest A’s on her report card this semester.  She has been doing gymnastics about 45 minutes away for 10 hours a week in a town named Hachinohe with all Japanese students since we arrived here.  She is the only American that attends there and is loving it.  They don’t speak any English, but Kiley is slowly learning some Japanese.  She was recently asked to join their Japanese gymnastics team, so we will be plenty busy with that.  Kiley is also in Ballet with some of her friends here on base and she was given the first solo in the recital that they’re getting ready for in June.  She is very excited for our trip to climb Mount Fuji coming up in July.

Brendan started 1^st grade this year and is doing great!  He is in an exceptional reading program and accelerated math club.  He loves school!  Brendan is playing Hockey on a Japanese team off base.  He practices 6 hours a week, the Japanese take their sports very seriously, and he loves every minute of it!  He played in his first hockey tournament last weekend and did great!  He is also playing basketball on base with his best friend and really enjoys that too! 

Bailey is still home with Brittany during the day and doing pre-school there.  He is very excited and ready to start Kindergarten, but we’re not quite ready for that.  Bailey played t-ball over the summer and is playing basketball now.  He is quite the athlete!  He ran in his first race, a color run, here on base a few months ago, 1.8 miles, and came in 2^nd.  He wasn’t old enough to run, so we just put him with the 5 & 6 year olds.  He never stopped!  He had a blast!  He wants to start playing hockey, but they like them to be 5, so he will probably start next fall.  He wants to be a goalie like Korry!

Brittany is staying busy with Bailey at home and helping in the kids classrooms at school.  She started her own Photography business back in October and has been very busy with that the last few months.  She will be starting back to college the 1^st of January to finish her Elementary Education degree.

Korry is staying very busy with Public Affairs here and will be heading back to the United states for 6 weeks in January to attend school for the Air Force in Maryland.  He was 1 of 7 chosen out of the entire Air Force to attend this school.  So we are very proud of him.  He is also playing on an adult hockey team here in Misawa, they play about once a month and he is loving every minute of it. 

We love and miss you all very much!  Please keep us and our journey in your prayers!  It’s a blessing to be able to see the World, but difficult to be so far away from the ones we love!  We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Love,  Korry, Brittany, Kiley, Brendan & Bailey