German Gold Cross

Two years ago, while my husband and the rest of my soldiers were still in Afghanistan, one of the missions they completed became international news.  German soldiers on the guard found themselves in the middle on an ambush.  They had sustained injuries and the MEDEVAC was called in.  Although there was still an active fire fight taking place, our MED crews did multiple turns in and picked up wounded German soldiers.  These soldiers, doing their job, saved the lives of some of those soldiers that day.  The German government did something that had never been done before to recognize these soldiers - 14 soldiers, 8 from Charlie Company 5/158 and the other 6 from Alpha Company 5/158 were presented with the German Gold Cross.  The German Gold Cross is one of the highest awards that German soldiers can receive, so it was a significant honor.

I was extremely impressed with the recognition they had given our soldiers, especially since the Army hadn't really acknowledged it because, after all, they are MEDEVAC and that is their job.  Germany decided that wasn't enough though, because they knew there was another piece to the puzzle - the families who awaited the return of their soldiers.  In a ceremony like none I have ever seen to recognize spouses, the German government presented each family of the MED crew members with a token of their appreciation of their service.  The German Chancellor stood there almost in tears as he expressed his countries appreciation for the sacrifice that he acknowledged that these families make every day.  He went further to mention the fact that he understood that soldiers could not do what they do without those who support them from afar. 

To try to put into words the pride each of those families had would be impossible, but then again - although this was a significant event, it was no different than the pride you could see in these families faces any other day of the year.  The fact that a foreign government thought enough of our families to put on such an event, especially without the soldiers being present, is a testament to the strength, endurance and pride that military families have.  I hope someday in the near future that something like that event would take place on American soil to acknowledge those in the silent ranks.

I'm proud to say I served along side these and so many other soldiers, but I have just as much pride in having served beside their silent ranks!


Information on the soldiers receiving the German Gold Cross:
http://www.eucom.mil/article/19850/american-heroes-receive-german-gold-cross

The soldiers:

The families: