NOVEMBER 2016
VOL 1 ISSUE 9
FREE
Story By Kelly Langley
Our Freedom Isn’t Free...One Soldier’s Tale
T he weather
is turning cooler,
little hobgoblins are roaming the street, pumpkin spice everything is on the shelves of every grocery store....This time of year people start thinking of the holidays: Tu r k e y a n d d r e s s i n g o n Thanksgiving, Christmas lights and music, epic New Year’s parties, and the joy of spending time with friends and family. But before we stuff the turkey or hang the bright lights, we celebrate Veteran’s Day. This is the day that we, as Americans, should all stop and remember those who chose to sacrifice their lives and freedoms so that we may continue to live in a nation where we are free speak our minds, to worship as we please, and to celebrate the holidays that make us uniquely American. Since this country was born in 1776, hundreds of thousands of brave young men and women have served in the armed forces that protect us. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard have shaped this country into what it is today: the freest nation in the world. So many gave their lives so that we may enjoy the lifestyle which others on this Earth are denied; others gave up years of their own lives to serve and protect us. One such person who dedicated his life to protecting our freedom is Capt. Leonard Tilley. As a young man I’m sure he never imagined the impact the Army would have on his life; nor the impact he would have on the Army. Tilley enlisted in the Army on February 20, 1953, and served in the Korean War, or police action, as it was known at the time. At the end of the war, he returned home and married his wife, Betty, on July 14, 1953. He remained in the military, and he and his family, which would eventually include two daughters and four
sons, moved all over the world, wherever the Army took him. As a young enlisted man, he went wherever his services were needed, and over the years made his way up through the ranks.
When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, Sergeant First Class Tilley went over as a member of the exclusive Special Forces Green Beret. He put his life in danger virtually every day as a platoon member on combat patrols. He helped lead his men through some of the roughest terrain on Earth, in a country where you couldn’t be sure if the person approaching you was an ally or an enemy. His calm demeanor and extreme courage made it possible for him to lead young men into dangerous situations, knowing they could depend on him to get them out. On February 7, 1967, Tilley’s braver y was at its most apparent. During a routine patrol, he and his platoon were attacked by a much larger group of Viet Cong soldiers. While the platoon leader ordered a retreat, Tilley covered them so they could reach an area where they could set up a defensive perimeter. During the battle the platoon leader was killed, and Tilley took over. He directed his men in battle and called in for air support, all the time firing his weapon and tending to those men who were wounded. As the men prepared to be picked up by helicopter, Sergeant Tilley single-handedly attacked the enemy with a vengeance, firing his weapon and throwing grenades, while his men safely reached the evacuation site. He then returned to the site of battle to ensure the wounded men were carried out and the bodies of those killed recovered before he climbed aboard the helicopter himself.
Tilley’s actions that day saved the lives of numerous young soldiers, and he was awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts. These were just two of the numerous medals this hero received during his long and distinguished career, and he certainly deserved many more. He put his life on the line many times, to protect the freedom that many of us take for granted. To listen to him speak of it, however, it was more of a routine day than anything else. He was in similar situations at other times, but when he speaks of those times he does so with a calm demeanor of a story-teller, as if they were no more uncommon than a day at the beach or at the park.
During the war he continued to rise in the ranks, and eventually was commissioned as an officer. Captain Tilley retired on May 31, 1973.
He now lives a quiet life on his own little ranch; if you saw him on the street you would probably not be aware of the heroic acts he has committed. But to sit down and listen to him....man, that’s priceless. I cannot begin to imagine what it was actually like to have gone where he has gone, to see what he has seen, and to experience all that he has. Listening to him tell about his experiences is like having a living history book, only not so sugar-coated.
If you know a veteran, don’t forget to take the time to say thank you. And if they want to tell you about their time in the service, be sure to take the time to sit down and listen. Veteran’s Day is more than just a day off of work, a time to BBQ and drink beer....it’s a time to honor all of those who have put on the uniform, picked up a weapon, and provided us, by shedding their own blood, the freedom that we have today. Please don’t forget that on this Veteran’s Day!