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JAMES COLE


Last Updated: 6/19/2009

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 23:26

[edit] Decorations of Valor Awarded to Hospital Corpsmen

[edit] Hospital Corpsmen who received the Medal of Honor

Pre-World War I
Hospital Apprentice Robert H. Stanley, USN (Boxer Rebellion)
Hospital Apprentice First Class William Zuiderveld, USN (Veracruz Incursion)
Hospital Apprentice Fred H. McGuire, USN (Philippine Insurrection)
Hospital Steward William S. Shacklette, USN (Boiler Explosion in San Diego)
World War I
Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Balch, USN
Hospital Apprentice First Class David E. Hayden, USN
World War II
Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert Eugene Bush, USN
Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class William D. Halyburton, Jr., USNR
Hospital Apprentice First Class Fred F. Lester, USN
Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce, USN
Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen, USN
Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Jack Williams, USN
Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Willis, USN
Korean War
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward C. Benfold, USN
Hospital Corpsman Third Class William R. Charette, USN
Hospitalman Richard D. Dewert, USN
Hospitalman Francis C. Hammond, USN
Hospitalman John E. Kilmer, USN
Vietnam War
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald E. Ballard, USN
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Wayne M. Caron, USN
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert R. Ingram, USN
Hospital Corpsman Second Class David R. Ray, USN
 
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 23:20
 
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 23:18
Hospital Corpsman Prayer
Grant me, oh Lord, for the coming events;
Enough knowledge to cope and some plain common sense.
Be at our side on those nightly patrols;
And be merciful judging our vulnerable souls.
Make my hands steady and as sure as a rock;
when the others go down with a wound or in shock.
Let me be close, when they bleed in the mud;
With a tourniquet handy to save precious blood.
Here in the jungle, the enemy near;
Even the corpsman can't offer much lightness and cheer.
Just help me, oh Lord, to save lives when I can;
Because even out there is merit in man.

If It's Your will, make casualties light;
And don't let any die in the murderous night.
These are my friends I'm trying to save;
They are frightened at times, but You know they are brave.
Let me not fail when they need so much;
But to help me serve with a compassionate touch.
Lord, I'm no hero -- my job is to heal;
And I want You to know Just how helpless I feel.
Bring us back safely to camp with dawn; For too many of us are already gone.
Lord bless my friends If that's part of your plan; And go with us tonight, when we go out again."
 
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 23:14

Current mood:  nostalgic
Category: Life
History
Prior to the establishment of the Hospital Corps, enlisted medical support in the Navy was limited in scope. In the Continental Navy and the early U.S. Navy, medical assistants were assigned at random out of the ship's company. They were commonly referred to as Loblolly Boys, a term borrowed from the British Royal Navy and a reference to the daily ration of porridge fed to the sick. The nickname was in common use for so many years that it was finally officially recognized by the Navy Regulations of 1814. In coming decades, the title of the enlisted medical assistant would change several times - from Loblolly Boy, to Nurse (1861), and finally to Bayman (1876). A senior enlisted medical rate, Surgeon's Steward, was introduced in 1841 and remained through the Civil War. Following the war, the title Surgeon's Steward was abolished in favor of Apothecary, a position requiring completion of a course in pharmacy.
Still, there existed pressure to reform the enlisted component of the Navy's medical department - medicine as a science was advancing rapidly, foreign navies had begun training medically skilled sailors, and even the U.S. Army had established an enlisted Hospital Corps. Navy Surgeon General J.R Tyron and subordinate physicians lobbied the Navy administration to take action. With the Spanish-American War looming, Congress passed a bill authorizing establishment of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, signed into law by President William McKinley on 17 June 1898. Three rates were created therein--Hospital Apprentice, Hospital Apprentice First Class (which was a petty officer third class), and Hospital Steward, which was a chief petty officer.
A revision in 1916 established a new rate structure. With the introduction of a second junior rate there were now Hospital Apprentice Second Class (HA2c) and Hospital Apprentice First Class (HA1c). The rating title for petty officers was established as Pharmacist's Mate (PhM), following the pattern of some of the Navy's other ratings (boatswain's mate, gunner's mate, etc.). Pharmacist's Mate Third Class (PhM3c), Second Class (PhM2c), and First Class (PhM1c) were now the petty officers, and Chief Pharmacist's Mate (CPhM) was the CPO. This structure that would remain in place until 1947.
During World War I, hospital corpsmen served throughout the fleet, earning particular distinction on the Western Front with the Marine Corps. A total of 684 personal awards were awarded to hospital corpsmen in the war, including 2 Medals of Honor, 55 Navy Crosses, and 237 Silver Stars.
In World War II, hospital corpsmen hit the beach with Marines in every battle in the Pacific. Joe Rosenthal's iconic photo of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima, captured during that battle's early days, depicts Pharmacist's Mate Second Class John Bradley among the group of Marines on Mt. Suribachi that day. They also served on thousands of ships and submarines. Notably, three unassisted emergency appendectomies were performed by hospital corpsmen serving undersea and beyond hope of medical evacuation. The Hospital Corps has the distinction of being the only corps in the U.S. Navy to be singled out in a famous speech by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal after the conclusion of the war.[1]
Following the war, the Hospital Corps changed its rating title to the generic term it had used all along--Hospital Corpmsan. The rates of hospital corpsman third class (HM3), second class (HM2), and first class (HM1), and chief hospital corpsman (HMC) were supplemented by senior chief hospital corpsman (HMCS) and master chief hospital corpsman (HMCM) in 1958.
Hospital corpsmen continued to serve at sea and ashore, and accompanied Marine units into battle during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Fifteen hospital corpsmen were counted among the dead following the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. Today, hospital corpsmen are serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Prior to selection to the Command Master Chief program, the 11th MCPON, Joe R. Campa, was a Hospital Corpsman.

[edit] Hospital Corpsmen in the Maritime Service

This article's citation style may be unclear. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking.
During World War II, the United States Maritime Service created a Hospital Corps similar to the Navy's and sent pursers through this Hospital Corpsman training, to serve in a combined administrative and medical role on civilian tankers, freighters, and oilers. Prior to this, there were no competent trained personnel to perform first aid aboard these vessels. The Purser-Corpsman was trained in anatomy, physiology, pharmacy, clinical laboratory, hygiene and sanitation, emergency treatment, first aid, and nursing. They were taught how to administer injections, treat compound fractures, administer blood plasma, and suture wounds.
The Maritime Service’s Hospital Corps School was founded at the Sheepshead Bay training station on December 7, 1942. Surgeon S.S. Heilwell (R), United States Uniformed Public Health Service, was placed in charge of training. The course was taught over four months, with a 12 week period of didactic classroom experience and four weeks of practical experience at a Marine hospital. The original class of 331 students resulted in 239 graduates on March 12, 1943, but demand saw an increase in the class to 600 students, to cycle in 50 student classes starting on a weekly basis. Training stations were instructed to provide careful scrutiny by examining boards for all candidates. Pursers on sea duty started arriving at the station on August 10, 1943. By January 1, 1944, there were 600 Purser-Corpsmen at sea, with 1,324 graduates in the Maritime Service.
Selection required an above average mark on the General Classification Test and definite interest in both administration and health care. A survey reveals that the men have an IQ average of 130 and two years of college. Pursers entering the hospital school are given ratings according to the length of time they have spent at sea. Those serving less than six months are given chief petty officer ratings and those with more than six months at sea receive ensign ratings. Of the 50 men who enter the school each week, 30 are pursers and 20 were apprentice seaman.
Work Cited: Mast Magazine May 1944, Mast Magazine August 1944, Mast Magazine May 1945

[edit] Organization

A Hospital Corpsman attached to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines operating in Afghanistan.
Because of the need for Hospital Corpsmen in a vast array of foreign, domestic, and shipboard duty stations, as well as with United States Marine Corps units, the Hospital Corps is the largest rating in the United States Navy.
The basic training for Hospital Corpsmen is Naval Hospital Corps School, located in Great Lakes, IL, one of the Navy's "A" schools (primary rating training). Upon graduation, the Hospital Corpsman is given the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) code of HM-0000, or "quad-zero" in common usage. NECs are analogous to MOS in the United States Army and Marine Corps, or AFSC in the Air Force. There are primary NECs, and secondary NECs. For example, a Hospital Corpsman that completes Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB) and earns the NEC HM-8404, moves that NEC to primary and has a secondary NEC of HM-0000. If that Corpsman attends a "C" School, then the NEC earned at the "C" School becomes their primary and HM-8404 becomes the secondary. Some Hospital Corpsman go on to receive more specialized training in roles such as Medical Laboratory Technician, Radiology Technician, Aviation/Aerospace Medicine Specialist, Pharmacy Technician, Operating Room Technician, etcetera. This advanced education is done through "C" schools, which confer additional NECs. Additionally, Corpsmen E-5 and up may attend "B" school, qualifying for independent duty in surface ships and submarines, with diving teams, and Fleet Marine Force Recon teams, as well as at remote shore installations. In addition to advanced medical training, these Corpsmen receive qualification in sanitation and public health.
Field Medical Training Battalion logo
Of note is Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB), with locations at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune, where sailors bound for service with USMC operating forces earn the NEC HM-8404, Field Medical Service Technician. FMSS provides specialized training in advanced emergency medicine and the fundamentals of Marine Corps life, while emphasizing physical conditioning, small arms familiarity, and basic battlefield tactics. As of 2001, this rigorous training is seven weeks long. [1] Training for the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) familiarizes Navy Corpsmen with the Marines. A bond and mutual respect is often formed between Marines and their assigned Corpsmen, earning respect apart from their Navy shipmates. FMF Corpsmen wear the uniforms of the Marine Corps while on duty with the Marine Corps. If not, they wear the Navy's new working uniforms. It has been proposed that all male Hospital Corpsmen be required to attend Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB).
Corpsmen can further specialize, becoming a Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, or SARC. They are usually found in both the FMF Recon and Marine Division Recon and MARSOC units. They are trained and skilled in combat, including combatant swimming, opened/closed circuit scuba diving, military free-fall and amphibious operations. They act as advisers regarding health and injury prevention, and treat illnesses from decompression sickness as well as other conditions requiring hyperbaric treatment.
Corpsmen who have received the warfare designator of Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist are highly trained members of the Hospital Corps who specialize in all aspects of working with the United States Marine Corps operating forces. Attainment of this designation is highly prized among all Corpsmen. The Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare designation for Corpsmen is the only US Navy warfare device awarded solely by a US Marine Corps General Officer. This awarding authority cannot be delegated to US Navy Officers. However, obtaining the title of "FMF" is a rigorous procedure and not every Corpsman who has been with a Marine Corps unit will wear the FMF warfare device. US Navy officers in the Hospital Corps (Medical Doctor, Nurse Corps, Dental Corps) can earn and wear the pin. Additionally Religious Program Specialists can earn and wear an FMF warfare device.
Be they assigned to hospital ships, reservist installations, recruiter offices, or Marine Corps combat units, the rating of Hospital Corpsman is the most decorated in the United States Navy with 22 Medals of Honor, 174 Navy Crosses, 31 Distinguished Service Medals, 946 Silver Stars, and 1,582 Bronze Stars. [2] There have been 20 naval ships that have been named after hospital corpsmen. Assignment to US Navy facilities and ships is referred to as going "Blueside" and serving with Marines is considered going "Greenside."

 
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Sunday, May 10, 2009 16:13

Current mood:  hopeful
Category: Life
Happy Mother's Day to all.....

Mother's Day is a holiday that recognizes motherhood in general and the positive contributions of mothers to society. In Canada, Mexico, Brazil and the United States, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of each May.

Early "Mother's Day" was mostly marked by women's peace groups.[1] A common early activity was the meeting of groups of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. In New York City, Julia Ward Howe led a "Mother's Day" anti-war observance in 1872[1][2], which was accompanied by a Mother's Day Proclamation. The observance continued in Boston for about ten years under Howe's personal sponsorship, then died out.[3]

Several years later, a Mother's Day observance on May 13, 1877 was held in Albion, Michigan, over a dispute related to the temperance movement.[4] According to local legend, Albion pioneer, Juliet Calhoun Blakeley, stepped up to complete the sermon of the Rev. Myron Daughterty, who was distraught because an anti-temperance group had forced his son and two other temperance advocates to spend the night in a saloon and become publicly drunk. In the pulpit, Blakeley called on other mothers to join her. Blakeley's two sons, both traveling salesmen, were so moved that they vowed to return each year to pay tribute to her and embarked on a campaign to urge their business contacts to do likewise. At their urging, in the early 1880s, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion set aside the second Sunday in May to recognize the special contributions of mothers.

Frank E. Hering, President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, made the first known public plea for "a national day to honor our mothers" in 1904. [5][6]

In its present form, Mother's Day was established by Anna Marie Jarvis, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905; she campaigned to establish Mother's Day as a U.S. national, and later an international, holiday.[1]

Originally the Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church, the site of the original Mother's Day commemoration, where Anna handed out carnations, the International Mother's Day Shrine is now a National Historic Landmark. From there, the custom caught on—spreading eventually to 46 states. The holiday was declared officially by some states as early as 1912, beginning with West Virginia. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and requesting a proclamation. [7][8] On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made that proclamation, declaring the first national Mother's Day, [9][7] as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war. [7]

Carnations have come to represent Mother's Day, since they were delivered at one of its first celebrations by its founder. [9] This also started the custom of wearing a carnation on Mother's Day. [5] The founder, Anna Jarvis, chose the carnation because it was the favorite flower of her mother.[10] In part due to the shortage of white carnations, and in part due to the efforts to expand the sales of more types of flowers in Mother's Day, the florists promoted wearing a red carnation if your mother was living, and a white one if was dead; this was tirelessly promoted until it made its way into the popular observations at churches.[11][5]

In May 2008, the US House of Representatives voted twice on a resolution commemorating Mother's Day[12][13], the first one being unanimous so that all congressmen would be on record showing support for Mother's Day.[citation


[edit] References
^ a b c d The History of Mother's Day from The Legacy Project, a Legacy Center (Canada) website
^ The First Anniversary of 'Mother's Day'", The New York Times, June 3, 1874, p. 8: "'Mother's Day,' which was inaugurated in this city on the 2nd of June, 1872, by Mrs. Julia Ward Howards[sic], was celebrated last night at Plimpton Hall by a mother's peace meeting..."
^ Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day for Peace, about.com
^ Mother's Day from "Albion's Historical Markers", maintained by an Albion, Michigan business
^ a b c "Annie's "Mother's Day" History Page". http://www.annieshomepage.com/mothershistory.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-26.
^ "Fraternal Order of Eagles: The History of Mother's Day". http://www.foe.com/about-us/mothers-day.aspx. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
^ a b c Rice, Susan Tracey and Robert Haven Schauffler. Mother's day: its history, origin, celebration, spirit, and significance as related in prose and verse. pp. 4-5. http://books.google.com/books?id=pkAOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA4. "in 1914 Congress passed a law, which Wilson signed on May 8, 1914, 'designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day', and authorizing and requesting that Wilson issue a proclamation 'calling upon the government officials to display the United States flag on all buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.'"
^ 71 - Mother's Day Proclamation, Franklin D. Roosevelt, May 3, 1934.
^ a b Today in History: May 9 Library of Congress
^ Leigh, Eric Schmidt (1997). 260 Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays (reprint, illustrated ed. ed.). Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691017212. http://books.google.com/books?id=maF8mTPsJqsC&pg=PA260&dq=carnation+mother%27s+day 260.
^ Leigh, at 274
^ House Vote #274 (May 7, 2008) H. Res. 1113: Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day (Vote On Passage)
^ House Vote #275 (May 7, 2008) Table Motion to Reconsider: H RES 1113 Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother’s Day
 
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Monday, January 07, 2008 21:08

Current mood:  tired
Category: Sports

The countdown is on.....Three hours until game time....

GO LSU!!!!

vs

 

 
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Monday, January 07, 2008 20:46

Current mood:  pissy
Category: Blogging

I do realize that blogging is for the birds at time where people down their pathetic frivolous information about their lives and think all of these other souls who does not have a life either reads it and feed off on it like they are watching a TV show.  I am not a true blogger, I thought I wanted be at one point starting these other blogs on blogspot....Fuck that I dont need that, but I do thrive on my fotopage . 

I do keep up with myspace blog for whatever reason, I dont know.  Because that is what myspace all about contacts with friends.   Friends that brings up another issues.  In my seventeen years in the navy I have came across and befriended many kinds of people over the years.  I also made some mistakes over the years.

One mistake that I regret, is living with at one time a very close friend of mine and kept the agreement after he got married.  In my case it was a disaster for living arrangement. I was one of my rules and I broke it...Friendship will never be the same again....

Even has I make rank, I have change that much.  Even my biggest challeng was this adventure in Iraq here where I in charge of an entire aid station with eight corpsmen under me and keep it operating 24 hours a day and maintain an ambulance.  I do feel I did a DAMN good job out here.  And I did not have to sell my soul to the devil either.  There are friends of mine who do make first class or so even I dont like to be around them because away of they are becoming and making deals with the devil himself in the process.

This is my two cents and another pointless blog....

 
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Saturday, January 05, 2008 13:44

Current mood:  animated
Category: Art and Photography

http://jamescoopercole.fotopages.com that is the website that I started almost two and half years ago sharing my fotos to who ever enjoy them.  Now it is a away for my family to enjoy and view my many adventures along the way.  I have over 1600 photos uploaded to the site. 

Enjoy now,

 

 
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Monday, December 24, 2007 13:05

Current mood:  awake
Category: Blogging

Christmas in Iraq,

Well here comes Christmas 2007, and guess where I am at....Iraq.  One thing that I always believe, it can always be worst.

No snow here of course, but it gets down right cold....especially at night now.  I do have alot of friends here in my squadron, which this actually makes my sixth christmas overseas since I join the Navy.  More, I look at it, its not that bad. 

Over here, Christmas is another day....every day is the same and continously runs into the other.

I would like to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

HO HO HO....

 
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007 19:30

Current mood:  depressed
Category: Blogging

Here in Iraq, I guess it is going well has expected.  Running an aid station keeping everything going could be very stressful and it is. I realize that I cannot please everybody, I just got to do what I got to do. I do try really hard to keep my personal proiblems away from work or military issues.

My mother had a stroke recently and actually at this moment she is having a sonogram to her neck to see what damages were done to her arteries. I just feel so helpless being over here while she is going through all of that. I know she is scare. She always told me, "James, dont worry about me just worry about the guys who under you." "They need you now".  But you know what it is hard. She will be having another MRI at the end of the month on her brain.

My mother's two sisters have been terrific, they have been sending me letters and boxes of goodies, because my mother been sick and is unable to. I do get tears in my eyes more than ever when I talked to her.

Not to metion, my father youger sister, Aunt Polly..went in to have thyroid surgery because of a lump which turns out to be cancerous and his now on kemo, and is also having another surgery today.  She is also one terific lady.

And last month, I had a cousin in Colorado, which aorta almost separated from his heart had to have emergency surgery to correct the issue. But he is recovery well.

I just keep on leading and stay away, but it is hard to separate personal feelings and business.  But I have to and I have a mission to accomplish.

Thanks for listening...

JCC

 

 
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Monday, October 22, 2007 11:47

Current mood:  satisfied
Category: News and Politics

As I watch the news highlite here on the AFN here in Iraq, they talked about the repiblican's candidates who squared off.  And one of the topic that was asked, shoud or does religion played a big part in a presidential election.  That was a question the Bob Schiffer asked from CBS "Face the Nation". I thought to myself, "wow, that was a very good question." Mr Schiffer who interviewed Mitt Romney, who is one of the front runner for the republican nomination, and ex-gov of Massachusetts.  Mr. Romney on the other hand a devout Mormon.  Again, I ask should religion be a big part of deciding who shall be out next President of the United States. 

We cannot forget, Obama Muhammad on the democrat side of the house.  Who is a devout Muslim.

Who me, a little about myself, was raise Southern Baptist in Louisiana and very conservative and currently a corpsman serving with the Marines in Iraq. In my opinion, religion does play apart in most election, especially the presidential.   I asked two of my corpsman this question for their input, and one had answer who is from Mississippi and raise Southern Baptist, believe that he does.  And I ask another corpsman the same question, which he is from East Texas, a latino descent and a devout catholic, believe it does not.

Basically, it is all who you ask, again what do you think?

My two cent for the morning....

 
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Saturday, October 13, 2007 13:22

Current mood:  content
Category: Blogging
Today mark the 232 nd birthday for the Navy.  It was Oct 13, 1775 when the Navy was establish.  Happy Birthday to all Navy personnel.
 
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Saturday, October 13, 2007 13:15

Current mood:  confused
Category: Life

Life in Iraq, I guess it is not too. I do keep myself busy though. With the issues of my junior corpsman and not to mentioning the issues with my marines who I look after. But it keeps me away from my demons. Like everyone else, I do have demons in my closet. I have seen so many of my friends went through some bad break up whether with their marriages or any relationship for that fact. And so many people ask me why I am not married, so why, I could be a statistic like everyone else. Actually, I just avoid the topic or avoid answering them. Its not one person, even my closest friends knows exactly truth about anything, I keep it low key, I know people assume, but which is fine with me. Marriage and Love is overrated. Exactly, what is Love? Does Love ever exist, or is it just fascination.

With me, I just keep on tracking living my life like one day at a time. Like I am always 21 again. Of all honesty, I reach my 40s, but it is all good. I am still the BIG DOG. Hopefully in April, I will be rocking Thailand has the new pimp daddy in town.

Live life to the fullest, no one could live your life except you. Always remember that and enjoy.

JCC

 
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Monday, September 24, 2007 17:02

Current mood:  calm
Category: Friends
 
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Monday, September 24, 2007 16:10

Current mood:  awake
Category: Life
Since I been here in Iraq, which is now over four weeks, I received a letter every week from my grandmother, who lives in Nebraska.  It is nice to be thought of quite often by a wonderful person.  Today I received this newspaper article concerning my Cousin's son, Nathan.  I copy and paste the newspaper article from the North PLatte Telegraph in Nebraska.  I thought I would share this.  Kudos to you, Nathan Fleecs.
 
Boy rides in memory of cancer victim
By Mark Young, The North Platte Telegraph
09/11/2007
 
HERSHEY — Only 10-year-old Nathan Fleecs knew if he was going to have the legs to complete his 20-mile bike ride, but no one can doubt that his heart was big enough to finish his honorable vision.

..> ..> ..>..>
. --> -->.
In honor of a classmate he barely knew, Nathan set out from Hershey Saturday morning to pedal his way along North River Road all the way to North Platte.

"It's the furthest he's ever ridden, that's for sure," said Greg Fleecs, Nathan's father, the night before the ride. "This will be a stretch for him, but he's been working hard getting ready."

The fourth-grade student at Sutherland School got his inspiration from a fundraising event performed by The Connection's Executive Director Ron Snell who poled his way down a stubborn Platte River to raise money and awareness for North Platte's homeless shelter.

"I saw that article about Ron and thought I would like to do something like that," said Nathan. "I came up with the idea to ride my bike because I like to ride my bike."

Nathan saw the piece written on Snell around the time a classmate by the name of Justin Svejkovsky fell victim to leukemia and a brain tumor. Nathan felt the need to do something special for his fallen classmate even though they did not know one another that well.

"Nathan saw that article and said, 'Mom, I want to do something like that for Justin,'" said Susan Davis, Nathan's mother. "Nathan didn't know Justin very well. They didn't hang out together or anything like that, but Nathan's heart just went out to him and he wanted to do something."

Initially, Nathan's plan was to establish a memorial in Justin's name, but Justin's mother thought Nathan's efforts would be better served by donating any monies raised to needy children.

"So Nathan is going to make this ride in honor of Justin and donate all the money raised to help buy Christmas presents for children who would otherwise go without," said Davis.

Nathan had already raised more than $200 before even climbing on his bike and expected to raise even more upon completion of his journey.

Accounts have also been established in Center's Bank and Adams Bank of Sutherland and these will remain open. The account names are Nathan's Bike Ride and the money will help some children have a very merry Christmas this year.

Sponsors jumped on board pledging dollars per mile and made additional pledges should Nathan be successful, of which the young boy had no doubt.

"We might have to stop a couple of times to rest," Nathan admitted the night before his ride, "but I know I can make it."

And make it he did.

Nathan was initially going to ride Highway 30 from North Platte to Sutherland, but safety concerns forced him to change his route along North River Road, beginning at Stockman's Veterinary Clinic, just north of Cody Park all the way to Hershey, which is an equal distance from the original plan, if not a little further.

The route was changed again at the last moment to make the ride from Hershey to North Platte, according to Greg, who said they wanted to put Saturday's breeze at Nathan's back.

"I think what he's doing is pretty cool," said Fleecs. "I'm really proud of him for doing something to help somebody else."

Nathan had some company from family and friends who joined him during his ride.

His mom told a story that best summed up Nathan's compassion for his fellow human beings:

"We were at the Sutherland-Hershey football game the other night and Sutherland came back to beat Hershey in the last moments of the game," she explained. "Everyone was cheering except for Nathan who looked upset. I asked him what was wrong and he said he felt bad for the Hershey football players because they must be sad."

As for Nathan, he's happy he was successful while raising money to help out other children, but is happier the adventure is over.

Finishing the last of the 20-plus miles, Nathan climbed off his bike and said, "I'm sure glad that's over. I'm tired."
Nathan concluded the journey by raising more than $400, ensuring a merry Christmas for some needy children this holiday season.


©North Platte Telegraph 2007

 

 
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