Stryker Brigade News

Hi, My name is kristen farnan, i'm 20 years old i saw c-span tonight with michaels interview and it really moved me, i just recently heard the most heart wrenching news of my life on feb 25th my family was informed that my only slibling and brother colby farnan was killed he was only 22 and his battle buddy is at walter reed now recovering from injurys i had tried to e-mail michael to tell him that i am proud and i suppourt the troops more then ever and maybe we can keep in contact
you all are in my prayers
Kristen Farnan

I am a person who happened to see Michael on CSPAN. I have to say I don't think I've seen such a great interview in along time. I couldn't beleive his optimism, his positve out look and his desire to do whatever he can to overcome his loss.
It was really inspiring to listen to him.
Jack H.

I just watched Micheal on CSPAN. Thank you for you service. I am a civilian, but I am so proud of you all.

I just saw Michael's interview on C-span and it was an amazing interview. How proud your family must be of such an outstanding young man. Please tell him how very grateful I am for his service and how proud he made me feel to be an American! What an incredible young man! May God continue to be with your entire family and with the families of all of our wounded soldiers!

Hey Mike,

Just saw you on the CSPAN special. I just wanted to say you have my best wishes and respect. You gave a very eloquent interview, and it was very enlightening for me. I can't begin to understand the sacrifice you made for your country and beliefs, but I have the utmost respect for your conviction and integrity.

Thanks so much. Best of luck with your recovery.

Evan Torchin

i rarely watch c-span, but i was channel surfing and saw michael tonight...my wife and i were so captivated by the story and by michael himself...we are so proud that men like you are protecting our freedoms...thank you for your sacrifice and for your unwavering patriotism...tres and jennifer womack...bastrop, texas

I just saw the CSPAN time with Michael. Michael Oreskovic was entirely admirable, and came across as wise and very likable - a terrific fellow. That was the most uplifting thing I've seen on TV in a long time. Thank goodness this great country still churns out clear-thinking and self-confident people like him.
Thank you, all of you.

Hello,
My wife and I saw the interview with Micheal Oreskovic last night, and I just had to say how much my family appreciates your sacrifice that you have made for our country.
While we were watching the interview, my wife kept saying "this guy is just like you" over and over again. I too am very head strong like you, and a lover of history, especially war history, but it was more about your life, and how you have chosen to look at your situation that made me and my wife realize how much we are alike.
I was in the army for five years (2/17 air cav, 101st airborne, and 2nd Infantry Division in Korea) in the eighties. I did not ever see combat, or get wounded like you, but lost my share of friends in a plane crash in 85.
In 1999 I was injured in an industrial accident which messed up my knees and two years to the day later they were re-injured in a car crash that I am still hurting from.
I know that my injuries cannot possibly compare to yours, but I can only say that your bravery towards the life you chose, and your commitment to your country fills me and the rest of our country with the pride that is known to the rest of the world as "The United States of America".
I was a carpenter after being a soldier, now I am in the computer field and making progress towards a new life.
I hope some day that my injuries will heal, but seeing you puts my life in perspective, and gives us all hope for a better future.
I wish I could help you in your journey, if there is anything you ever need, please let me know.
Yours Truly,
Nick Winkley
Airborne all the Way!

I had a feeling I was not alone in my astonishment and admiration for this 23 year old soldier while I watched his interview on c-span. I have never liked war, guns or military views on issues of social import. Michael really opened my eyes and gave me a new perspective. Very wise young man, indeed and no doubt has many great accomplishments in his future.

Anita Palmaccio
Lancaster, Massachusetts

Mike, I am so glad to hear you guys will be going on a vacation, such a well deserved one! Give my best to Mike Jr. and I'm crushed I didn't catch the CSpan show, relieved to hear it'll be on Saturday nite too so I can watch it then.

Thank you for all you do, for your son and all our soldiers. You have become a voice for the families of injured soldiers, and I can't think of anyone more appropriate for that role. Now it sounds like Mike is following in his dad's footsteps, from the soldier's perspective.

I think of you all often.

Shelly

I happen to be flipping through the channels and caught Michael's interview. I sat there not able to believe his optimism. I am a 26 year old and I can't even imagine having to go through what he has at my age, let alone his. He is amazing and an inspiration to all. I am VERY proud that men like him are protecting us everyday. My prayers are with Michael and his family.

I simply want to say "Thank you." May God Bless you with continued strength and courage.

Nick Fiorita
New Jersey

I caught the interviews last night on C-Span and I, like many of the other people posting about the show, was very impressed with Michael and his intelligence. The way he described everything that had happened, what made him want to get into the military, and his plans for the future. He is just incredible and a great speaker. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Wow, I saw Michael's CSPAN interview last night and I was truely captivated. I don't think I even blinked!

I kept thinking how proud his parents must be to have such a courageous, intelligent and articulate son!

Michael, you should write a book!

Take care and Good luck!

Michael John (I feel like I can call you that - not as a parent scolding a child - but rather out of love and affection, respect and gratitude)...

I am so very proud of you! And I am very happy the rest of the country is able to view for the first time, the young man that I have come to love and admire so much. Your interview on CSPAN has to be an eye-opening testimony to all those that watched it.

Your love of the Army is made known so many times over and over throughout the interview. How fortunate this great country is to have such a fine soldier.

I am so blessed to have met you when you came to WR... Our friendship will last a life time! God Bless you always ~

Love,
Cindy ( o ;

God Bless America ~ God Bless Our Troops ~ Never Forget Our Fallen ~
Patriotism Isn't A Sporadic Emotional Outburst, It Is A Lifelong Devotion ~ True And Steady, To The Country You Call Home...M.W. Roen

I don't get C-SPAN, but I always read all of the updates and hate to miss the interview. Does anyone know of any way that I could get access to it? Anyway- Michael and family, you're in my prayers and thank you.

I accessed Michael's interview online from C-Span's website and was moved beyond words. He is such a wonderful young man and I am awed by his strength and wisdom. What a testament to the resilence of the American soldier....I will continue to keep him and the rest of the family in my prayers. God bless.

Meredith

I too don't get Cspan if anyone can tell us how to access it would love to see it. God bless you Mike you are one fine hero and all the best on this well deserved trip sking. Don't get hurt and watch that Dad of yours.

Michael's C-SPAN interview is available on the web for viewing at any time for those of you with a reasonable internet connection and REAL Media player. Go to the C-SPAN web site (www.c-span.org) and click on the link to "Conversations With U.S. Soldiers Wounded in Iraq".

As a proud Stryker Mom of a son who is currently in Iraq, I was mesmerized by your interview on C-Span. You are a true hero and you should be in broadcasting as a war correspondent. I am so proud of you and your family. You are in my prayers as part of the Stryker family. Thank you for your service to our country, Mike. Our world is a better place because of the many men and women who serve our country so well.
Proud stryker Mom,
Ellen

I saw Cpl Oreskovic's interview tonight. I remember having the same reaction to the news of Rangers being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. I am a vet and was out of the service when I saw the coverage. Cpl. Oreskovic, I respect you and all of the others sacrificing for the good of the United States. You are headed places young man, may God go with you.

Michael, your interview was awesome. You are such a positive and eloquent young man, and your devotion to the Army, your buddies and your country should inspire many more of our younger people. I was captivated during the entire interview, and was sorry when it ended. Thank you for your service, for your sacrifice and for just being you. Our thanks also to your family for all that they have done. God bless you all. I do hope to meet you before you leave WR.

I am a mother of a solder and my son served with Michael.He is happy to hear he is doing well.Tell him Johnson said hi.We all are proud of him.God Bless

My name is Tara Lacey, I was just watching cspan when I saw Mike's interview. To begin with, I'd like to say that I wish there were a million more young men out there with his attitude and outlook regarding life. Mike serves as an inspiration to me as well as many others who caught his interview. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say thanks to Mike for being there for his country and standing up for everything we believe in. Best Wishes to you and your family Mike. Take care and Thank you so very much!

Mike,
Thank you for the heads up!

Michael,
You are one incredible young man! Thank you for all you've done!

God love you both! Prayers and well wishes going out to you always!

My best to you!

I just finished watching Michael's C-SPAN interview, and I want to take this opportunity to thank Michael for being such an inspiration and for serving our country. I can honestly say you made me re-think my life and truly touched my heart. You have made such an impact on me during the short time I got to watch your interview, and I am behind our president, you, and our troops 100%. Please keep us updated on your status, I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless.
Leslie Villanueva, 21
Grandview, WA

PS~ If there's anyway to email Michael directly, please let me know! Thanks!

I just want to say, I watched Michael Oreoskovic on C-Span tonite, and I was really impressed by his knowledge and dignity. Anyone else would have been brought down by the situation, and he is a true soldier, he keeps fighting harder. I have a father and brother in the Air force, and every war that has arisen, I always feared the worst, It is an honor to say that you have been a true hero in my book. I admire you a lot, just for your endurance to want to always do more, and to be the best that you can be. Michael, If you can e-mail me, I have a few questions i would love answered
Nicole @ yohnnson@yahoo.com

I can see from the other comments that i am not the only person who was deeply moved and impressed with Michael's interview. Michael, you are an impressive, strong and optimistic young man and my prayers are with you. I also give you my deepest thanks for your service to our country.

I don't have the words to express it, but I will never forget that interview and the unbelievable strength and courage you show. I hope my kids can learn your story some day.

God bless

Just a great BIG THANK YOU to Mike O. You are an inspiration to all of us. Your Parents should be so proud of you and that they have raised a fine young man. My son is with the 2/14 1-25 in Tal Afar. I pray that you will adjust to your new prosthesis and with time they will improve upon the arm as much as they have on the leg ones( although we wish they would not be needed but to look at this whole situation unfortunatly they are) You are so knowledgeable about history maybe you should think about being a history teacher. You are certainly a living part of it!You have such a great outlook and I hope and pray that will continue even through the tough times. You are an American Hero, I wish you all the best, May God Bless you and all of our fallen heroes and those that contine to serve as as well as the families.

Michael, I am so very proud of you, you are an inspiration to America. You have shown great courage and tremendous strength. The pride and respect that you have for the Army and the men who serve is displayed in your every word. Thank you for your service, your commitment, your patriotism and for being the wonderful human being that you are. You and all the men who serve are Heros. With every breath I take my thoughts and prayers are with you and all the men who serve. From the bottom of my Red, White & Blue Heart, I thank you.

Remember the Fallen, Heal the Wounded,
Support our Troops and God Bless America!

The very proud Aunt of Sgt. Adam Plumondore
(Our Angel, Fallen, but never Forgotten)

What a credit to our country and our military to have this amazingly intelligent, articulate, positive young man tell his story to the world. I hope everyone gets to see this interview and I hope it reminds them that there are more out there just like him! My thanks goes to your parents and family who helped you become the man you are! I hope my sons grow up to have even half of your strength. Thank you for your service to our country. I know that I will think of you when I tuck my little ones safely into bed. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I saw Michael on C-Span last night. Impressed by his conviction, and courage. Mike, you will do well in what ever you choose in life. My son is also a Stryker. When he came home on leave, I saw the same strenght and confidence in him that Michael has shown us. The Army has done well in training our men. Thank you, for telling it like it is.
"Beamingly" proud - Stryker Mom- Maria Snow

There is not much I can add to the comments already posted. I was so uplifted by hearing and watching Michael. My first thoughts were what wonderful parents this very brave, articulate young man must have. He is to be loved and admired by all of us. I am a mother of 5 sons, grandmother of 9. Hearing Michael's intelligent and well-thought-out views about history and lessons needing to be learned in order to not repeat the past mistakes, thrilled me. It gives me hope to realize there will be young leaders with such views who will continue to protect our country's future. I know great things are ahead for Michael.
Thank you Michael and your family!
Chloe in San Antonio

Hello Michael,
"Thank YOu" seems so inadequate for all you've done.
When I saw the interview, I was struck by what an articulate and passionate person you are. I hope you will persue your efforts to stay in the military. A desk job may seem boring compared to what you've been doing, but the young men and women being trained now would benefit enormously from your experience.
You just lit up when speaking about the history of war. My first thought was that you would make an execellent instructor for the Army or at a militray academy. I also agree with Ellen (March 29 posting) that you would be great as a war correspondent.
Whatever path you choose, I know you'll be successful.
PS: I loved your T-Shirt "PEACE...Through Superior FirePower". Reminds me of a quote I once heard. Paraphrased it goes: You can have Peace, or you can have Freedom -- Rarely has any nation had both fo very long"

After catching Michael on C-span the other night, I immediately looked him up online. He is absolutely captivating and refreshing in this todays liberal and hollywood society. I wish they would broadcast his interview primetime on all the networks...and actually make people stop and think and realize how lucky we are to have Americans like Michael defending our freedom.

I am so thrilled to see everyones posts and that others were as impressed as I was. Thank you Michael for sharing your thoughts and insights and I hope that even more people see your interview.

All the best,
Erin

I just watched the C-Span interview online and I was blown away. Michael is such a smart and incredible man. He's courageous and brave for all that he has faced in his young life. I am 21 and feel almost ashamed for not accomplishing all that he has so far. For not taking part as an American as much as he has. For not being as positive or well rounded as he is about life and his situation. All I can say is that I am truly enlightened. I pray that more people in this country will see what I saw and open their eyes to what all of these soldiers are out doing on a daily basis for our freedoms and the freedoms of people around the world. Thank you Michael! Thank you Stryker Brigade! Thank you to all the soldiers past and present.
Sincerely,
Sarah

Dear Mike

Saw your interview. I am a Naval Academy grad and served in the Marines, as a Captain. I just wanted to say thank you for serving our country. I deeply appreciate the sacrifice you have made to help the cause of freedom.

I would like to stop in to see you if you are able to take visitors. I am currently in Annapolis MD.

take care

Mike Yu
PO Box 512 Arnold MD 21012

This is an e-mail that I wrote to a number of my friends this morning, after seeing Cpl Oreskovic's interview over the weekend. It's pretty long, but I assumed that none of my friends saw it, so I put a lot down. I tried as much as possible to have them understand why Michael impressed me so much. After I discovered this website later in the day, I thought Michael might as well know as well.

"I was in Carolina over the weekend, and as usual when I am there, during the evenings, I found myself in front of the tube trying to find one decent show to watch. Most normal people are out having fun on weekend nights and not watching TV, and I think most of the stations know this, which accounts for the crappier-than-usual fare that you see on Friday and Saturday evenings.

So I'm flipping through the channels, and I come across CSPAN, where I see an amputee being interviewed by a woman. It wasn't a Katie Couric kind of woman either. More a Madeleine Albright kind of woman. The person being interviewed, it turned out, was Cpl Michael Oreskovic, who recently had his left arm destroyed during an attack in Iran. I never watch CSPAN. CSPAN generally means politics and I avoid politics at all cost. But with Jay Leno and American Idol unavailable for viewing, I decided to watch for a few minutes. That's all it took. I watched the entire interview, and I have to say that I have not seen a more compelling interview in a long time.

First off, this interview was not done in a studio. It was done in an open room at Walter Reed Hospital, with hospital staff and patients walking around in the background. The two were sitting in plastic chairs at one of those tables you see in any institutional conference room. The effect was curiously strong. Because it wasn't under studio lights, with a pretty background, and a good looking interviewer doing the questions, you felt very tied to it. Like you were there. We've all been in those types of rooms and I felt like was sitting right there between the two.

Cpl Oreskovic was, in a word, astounding. Here is a guy, 23 years old, who went into the army and had his arm taken off while on duty "serving America", and who has returned to a country more ostensibly interested in Martha Stewart than it is in any of his mates being killed and wounded in Iraq. You would think that this would be a predictable type of interview, a yes-mam, no-mam, short-answer type of exchange. It was anything but that. The interviewer, whose name was never divulged during the program and whom I had never seen before, would ask a question, and Cpl Oreskovic would respond, in length--articulately, openly, honestly and with more courage of conviction than I have ever had in my entire life. He was not emotional. He was calm throughout, even when given questions that could have evoked very strong responses from anyone else. He never lost his cool, and his answers reflected a very intelligent mind, one that had obviously benefitted from personal study and, no doubt, teachings from his superiors in the military. Even more amazing was his sense of humor. Here he is, going through rehab and trying to learn the use of a prosthetic arm with great difficulty, going through the guilt of having left his comrades behind in Iraq, going through the process of reacclimating himself to a very self-absorbed American society (my feeling, and probably his, although he never said it), and yet through all of this, smiling at times, recalling good-naturedly his more pleasant experiences in the army.

He also didn't pull any punches in talking about seeing his friends wounded and dying in the field. He gave pretty unflinching accounts of people dying around him. When asked how his comrades felt when they returned to the US, and whether they felt as a whole that they were being let down by the country, his answers were likewise straightforward and unemotional. He said that most of the soldiers that make it back here are torn. They love being with their families and friends, but at the same time, they feel guilty for not being there fighting alongside their platoons. Many of them are relieved to go back, where they feel that all are united for a common cause, something that is not felt here in the US. Not surprisingly, he spoke of the closeness the soldiers develop. He said that he knew more about the lives of his mates--how they grew up, who their friends were, what they did, what they thought about life--than he did about members of his own family. When asked how he personally felt about how US citizens viewed the war, he had to think a bit. He realised that people were in general support of the soldiers, that they were concerned with their welfare and wanted to see these soldiers back safe home again. But you could see that lingering disappointment in his face. He saw a country more interested in what was going on with Michael Jackson than what was going on in Iraq. He talked about how many Americans had closed themselves off from the rest of the world, that if something terrible was happening to people in other countries, that would be of little or no concern, so long as it did not affect them personally. He did not say this maliciously or with contempt. Again, he was very matter-of-fact about it. But the message was obvious. Americans do not see the world as Cpl Oreskovic has seen it. Not close up. Not the suffering, the poverty, not the struggle that so many people go through day after day. He feels that America has a responsibility to the rest of the world, that we cannot be isolationist in our policies. It is a blessing that comes with being the only superpower in the world today, that we cannot ignore the plight of others, especially those who are oppressed. This is where I think many Americans would disagree with Cpl Oreskovic. But I doubt that they could deliver their opinions more steadily, with more conviction and credibility than he did.

Cpl Oreskovic took the time to explain how his prosthetic worked, removing it from the stump of his arm and demonstrating how he would put it on again. All the time, you felt as though he was talking about a piece of machinery, a detached tool. There was no self-indulgence or self-pity demonstrated as he struggled to get the prosthetic on--just an unemotional, vanilla explanation of what the plusses and minuses of this particular prosthetic were. There was no embarrassment or holding back. When asked if learning this was frustrating, he just smiled and said, "Well, yeah---I'd be lying to you if I said it wasn't". He said that it was like learning how to do the most simple tasks all over again, like tying your shoe laces or zipping up your jacket. But you never heard the slightest note of complaint in his voice.

Cpl Oreskovic from the time that he was a kid was very interested in military history. That is why he knew from a very early time that he was going to go into the military as an adult. He studied not only military history from the viewpoint of America and its allies. He studied Russian, German, and Japanese military history. He studied the military campaigns of the Greeks and the Romans He says that the only way you truly underdstand the mindset of foreign countries is by studying them and that includes how they go to war. He remembers watching those captured soldiers being dragged through the streets of Somalia, nearly naked, and being torn to death. He was only 11 at the time, and remembering that having a profound influence on his thinking. How could the US simply just pack up and leave after that? How could the country allow that to happen and not do anything about it? His is not a policy of revenge, but a very high ideal of establishing order in countries where chaos and anarchy and violence and ignorance rule. Unlike many Americans, he does not hesitate when asked whether or not it is our responsibility to intervene and to help strangers halfway around the world. He feels that it is the reason why America has become so strong. And he quietly, effortlessly, convincingly believes this. Where we Americans feel we are specially blessed, many of us feel it a blessing unto ourselves, and not one that is shared with with the rest of the world. Cpl Oreskovic believes it should be, and he makes a very dignified argument for it. It's too bad that most people won't hear that argument. This is who Katie and Matt should have on their show. And not for two minutes and a break to commercial. They should give this guy as much time as they do Julia Roberts or Will Smith. But the sad this is, they won't. Too bad too---such a great voice for a group for the most part that is being ignored.

Cpl Oreskovic is not a military fanatic, nor did I ever see him during the entire interview as being a candidate for some estranged paramilitary group out in the middle of Montana. If anything, I saw him as a bright, sensitive, and unusually perceptive individual who probably would do very well running for a government post in Washington one day. This was your neighbor's kid. This was your kid. Or at least the kid that you would be proud to have. This was a good person, with a good heart, doing what he believed to be right. This was someone who had suffered from the consequences of his decisions, but seemingly held no remorse for them. This is someone who despite his setbacks, wants to continue serving his country. This explains why I sat there during and after the interview, wondering what this soldier had that so many of his generation lacked. I was embarrassed for the young people in our country who seem to have no clue as to what is really important in life, nor any genuine appreciation for what they have. All this lip service that celebrities give to God, while picking up their awards in their see-throughs and their bling-bling, while being adored by their fans. Somehow, it all seems even more superficial than ever after watching an interview like this one.

So that was the highlight of my weekend. The house moves along slowly, and there are new problems that have come up---more of the "repairing damage done the first time around" type of problems. But I'm not fussed. After seeing Cpl Oreskovic the other night, I would be terribly irresponsible and unappreciative of what I have if I let all of this bother me. So it doesn't. DA."

Darryl post on 4-4-05. Great post. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Michael O is terrific. I am so proud of him and the boys over there. Parrents should get a copy of his interview and show it to their teens for inspiration, so they can learn what it means to be an American. Great Job Michael, look forward to hearing from you again in the future. Hoorah.

I heard just parts of the interview and was very impressed with the Patriotism that Michael has in him. Unfortunetly, it isn't getting much play outside of the internet.

Does anyone know if C-Span plans to re-air the interview, if Michael will be on any other shows, or if there is a transcript of his interview. This is a very important message that needs to get out ... despite the lack of interest in the truth from the traditional media.

Hi, I just wanted to write and let you know that I too saw the interview on C-Span and was truly moved. Michael is such a humble and encouraging young man who has sacrificed so much for our country and deserves, along with so many of our soldiers, our utmost respect and love. He has been an encouragement to me and I wish him and you all the very best.

Thanks, Michael, for your courage, your compassion, your patriotism, your humility and faith, and your sacrifice. You're in my prayers.

God bless you.

Jonathan

CPL Oreskovic
You have to be the bravest man i have ever seen.
My views on the war are not important for this email. I wanted to let you know on 1/24/05 I had an above the knee amputee. And I was ready for it because of an ongoing infection sense 1992 in the knee area. I am turning 50 this year and I am trying my hardest to keep my hopes and spirits up
even 1/4 as high as yours, will see me through im sure.i have no idea if you will ever see this .

Thank you for your most great scrafice for our great and wonderful country.

I pray every day that not another young man has to die. I will leave all my political views out of this . GOD BLESS YOU , AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE OF OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMAN. OVER THERE

Mike I've had a prosthetic right arm for three years now. Trust me brother, there is NOTHING that I can't do. Give it hell and stay strong!