Saying goodbye Posted On: Sunday, Jul. 19 2009 05:26 AM By Olga Peña
Killeen Daily Herald

He cried. In his Army-tough camouflage uniform, his two stars visible to the hushed crowd.Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond wiped away tears. He held his hand on his heart, then gestured to his wife, Diane, as if to say that's where she would always abide.

Hammond's words and visible emotion were part of his farewell speech to Central Texas at a colors casing and change of command ceremony Thursday, the last event before the 4th Infantry Division moves to Fort Carson by August.

Hammond, the 4th Infantry commander until he handed over the reins to Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins last week, choked up when he listed the many individuals in the community who have meant so much to him and his soldiers. But the tearful moment that evoked a standing ovation from the crowd came when Hammond spoke about his devoted wife.

For me, just one of the many civilian members of the audience, that moment spoke volumes about community, family, loyalty, leadership and Army pride.

This great man had no qualms and made no apologies for showing emotion as he spoke of how instrumental his wife, his family and his community were in helping him lead the troops.

And that, I believe, is what makes him a good soldier. And he's not the only good one.

I feel that many times the world gets a warped view of our nation's heroes. Headlines and TV clips splatter news of soldiers killing themselves and committing crimes. But where is Hammond's story?

Where are the articles reflecting the many good deeds soldiers do on the battlefield and right here at home? Where are the news reels showing Iraqi children reaching out to hug the young sergeants who just gave them food or medical attention? Where are the stories of the soldiers who rush from training to coach Little League twice a week? How do we measure the positive impact of soldiers in our community and how do we thank them?

I may not have all the answers, but I can use this small platform to say a few truths that may seem obvious but are seldom communicated as they should be. These soldiers and their families don't have an easy life on the front lines of the battlefield or on the homefront. They've shed tears like Hammond, in times of war and peace, in Iraq and Texas, in tents and in their beds at home. These tough men and women cry because they are human and it's that human sentiment that drives them to push harder, fight stronger and defend the rights of other humans everywhere. They are heroes. They are champions. They are friends.

So while community functions have been going on all week to say farewell to the 4th Infantry Division, let us remember to not wait to share sweet words and acts of kindness with soldiers when they depart.

Let's show them how much this community loves them right now. Let's figuratively hold our hands on our hearts as if to say that's where they abide.

Olga Peña is the managing editor of the Killeen Daily Herald. She is a resident of Copperas Cove, where she lives with her two children, Daniel, 5, and Elizabeth, 6. E-mail her at opena@kdhnews.com.