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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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I recently received a letter from Will and Marsha Connor, the parents of Navy Lieutenant Patrick Kelly Connor, telling me of a upcoming dedication of a Veteran's Administration Conference Center in Syracuse, NY. The conference center was being dedicated to the memory of their son Patrick,who had been killed in action on February 2, 1991 during the first Gulf War. Patrick was not only a fellow Naval Aviator, but he was also my roommate and best friend. I wrote back to Will and Marsha about their son's impact on those fortunate enough to have served with him and I was honored that they chose to include my letter in the dedication events. They included with their letter comments from former Navy Secretary John Lehman and current US Pacific Forces Commander Admiral William Fallon. Secretary Lehman was also a Navy reservist assigned to Patrick's squadron and ADM Fallon was Patrick's Carrier Air Wing Commander during the Gulf War. Secretary Lehman wrote that "the greatest courage among heroes is not the instinctive valor on the battlefield but the conscious choice when alternatives are available, to seek leadership at the point of the spear.This is what Patrick chose." I can particularly relate to John Lehman's comment about "conscious choice when alternatives are available, to seek leadership at the point of the spear." Patrick's leadership always had an influence on me and in fact, I would not be here today, doing what I am doing, had it not been for Pat. I can still remember the day I got the news that an A-6 Intruder had gone down off the USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR). I was on the USS America in the Red Sea and I had just come back from a mission over Baghdad. I immediately felt that horrible feeling that you get in your heart and gut when you have just learned terrible news. Without knowing any details of the aircraft's downing or who the crew was, I just knew that somehow it was Patrick. Later that day, I got confirmation from our Intel that it was indeed Pat. We were planning our next day's strike mission and my skipper pulled me out of the room and asked me how I was doing and if I wanted to take a day or two off.I distinctly remember asking myself, "What would Pat have done?" The answer was simple, I had made a "conscious decision to lead at the point of spear," and leaders don't turn away from those responsibilities. I did what Naval Aviators are trained to do - I "compartmentalized" and put my grief and anger in a box and closed the lid - I would deal with it later. I helped plan and then flew that next mission and many more. When the USS America transited from the Red Sea to the Gulf, I flew over to the TR to meet with Pat's CO and squadron mates and it was clear that he had the same effect on them as well. In fact, when I saw ADM Fallon in Guantanamo some fourteen years later, he walking fairly quickly with a large entourage, including my Commanding General at the time. When I spoke with him, I knew he may not remember me from so long ago, but when I mentioned Pat's mission call-sign, "Heartless 521" he stopped dead in his tracks and even though he was running behind schedule, we stepped away from his entourage and chatted for a few minutes. I later apologized to my Commanding General for interrupting, but he said not to worry and that as he and ADM Fallon got in the vehicle to leave he told Major General Hood that he wished he had more time to talk with me and recounted the downing of Pat's A-6 Intruder off the coast of Kuwait fourteen years earlier.Now fifteen years later, Pat still has that effect on us. I have no doubt that had Pat not left us early, he would have had a brilliant Navy career if he so chose. He no doubt would have commanded a squadron and an eventually and air wing. Pat had what it takes to make it to the top of the military ranks. In the days following the tragic events of September 11th, I thought back to Pat and what he would have done in my situation - having left military service completely four years earlier. Again, the answer was simple - leaders lead from the point of the spear. To use an aviator's term, I would "pitch back into the fight." I would find a way to get here to Baghdad. I often think about Pat's sacrifice on that February day and how this fight today is somehow an extension of the battle we waged 15 years ago for the freedom of Kuwait. Pat's parents shared with me one of his last letters home in which he wrote about one of his missions, "It was as if the whole country was burning. . . .Witnessing such devastation from a little cocoon so high and isolated from it all, with the millions of beautiful stars above completing the panorama, was surreal in its incongruence. I felt a heavy feeling of sadness for the poor people below, enemies or not, who had to endure what must be a living hell all because of one despot."I'm sure Pat would be here with me as we try to bring freedom, liberty and a better way of life to Iraq. Actually, the more I think about it, Pat is here with me - a wingman in spirit. Secretary Lehman wrote, "Aristotle said that the deeds of great men never die. Patrick lives on today not only in the hearts of his family but in the inspiration that his example continues to provide to his friends and his successors in naval aviation and all those who value freedom." In about a month's time, we as a nation will celebrate the national holiday of Memorial Day. For many it is the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Picnics, barbecues, beach trips and other fun events will be planned. Across the nation, many towns and cities will hold parades to honor the fallen. I would ask that you take time out of your busy schedules and walk out to the street corner when the parade comes by. Bring your family and friends with you, especially children. Take off your hat if you are wearing one and hold it over your heart to honor those who have fallen in defense of freedom, because it is often said that in remembering its fallen warriors, a nation rekindles their virtues in successive generations. Thank you and may God bless you, your families and the United States of America. Humbly yours, Jack O'Connell Major O'Connell, a native of South Amboy, is currently assigned to Iraq.  |
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