Two soldiers grew up in the same part of the coal region, and then they went to war.
Both young men served in Bosnia.
Both young men served in Iraq.
And then both young men volunteered to serve in Afghanistan.
Now the two young soldiers are home, wounded, worn and weary.
Still, they’re strong.
And their recovery depends largely on their support for each other and the help we can provide them as they heal.
Staff Sgt. Earl Granville, who grew up in Carbondale, and Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer, a Throop native, now room two doors from each other at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Granville, 24, and Kacer, 26, were severely wounded by roadside bombs during separate combat operations in June.
Kacer, who joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard while at Carbondale High School, suffered an amputated left arm and internal injuries while on duty with the 109th Infantry Regiment.
Granville lost his left leg below the knee in an explosion that killed two other soldiers. Multiple fractures to his hip and injuries to his right leg and foot will likely keep him hospitalized for some time.
Yesterday on “Corbett,” Granville’s twin brother, Joe, called to let us know that his brother is thankful for the thoughts, prayers and action taken on his behalf.
“He’s my hero,” Joe said of his brother, whom he visited Sunday at Walter Reed.
While at the hospital, Joe said he also checked in with Kacer, who also is doing what he needs to do to meet the challenge of the aftermath of war.
National Guard Staff Sgt. Bill vonAhnen, who works with Joe at the state prison at Waymart, called last week to share his hope that strangers and friends will come together to help these young men with whom he served in Bosnia and Iraq.
We will.
This tale of two troopers is the heartfelt tale of America.
Our warriors come from small towns across the nation and return to them if they’re able – sometimes not as whole as they were when they left.
Our mission as citizens is to help them heal. Our duty as Americans is to give what we can in moral and monetary support. Our job is to be there for them as they were for each other when the battle raged around them.
That’s what friends are for.
When vonAhnen called last week he wanted to know if we might mention tomorrow night’s fundraiser for Granville at the Black Horse Pub and Grill in Tobyhanna. Hoagies will be sold throughout the day during “Heroes for a Hero.” Raffles and live music will continue until the bar closes, vonAhnen said.
Throop volunteers held a fundraiser for Kacer last weekend.
On July 18 a dance will be held at Morrison’s Grove to benefit Granville. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased throughout Carbondale, Simpson and Waymart at places such as the Crossroads, the Waymart Hotel, Bar 44 and Mark’s Bar.
Charlie Spano, representing the Italian-American service organization UNICO, recently contacted vonAhnen to arrange another donation, this time for both men at an upcoming Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees game.
The details are coming together.
Organization and mending take time.
But time – precious time - is on our side here.
This human drama of young buddies gone to war is a timeless story, a tale of terror and tragedy, yet friendship and spirit. In communities such as ours, we all play a role in the outcome of this saga.
For most of us, war happens at a distance.
Then war comes home.
Afghanistan has come home to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Out fight is here.
Our mission is to help make life better for two young pals who need each other now as much as ever – two friends whose courage must be repaid time and time again.
Corbett
