Part 14: Remembering a wonderful trip

December 7th, 2009

Cobra Staff member and Golf Entertainer/World Long Drive Champion, Dan Boever, is visiting Iraq on a goodwill tour to meet with the troops. This is the fourteenth in a series of updates from his travels.

December 7, 2009
After flying halfway around the world, nine days of non-stop activity and 28 hours of travel back to my home in Springfield, Mo., I have been pretty useless for the past few days.

I am so very glad I went and like all the guys who made the journey, I am thrilled we were able to bring some happiness into a few people’s lives for the short time we were there.

It happened because so many people supported us along the way. I would encourage you to check out the Troops First Foundation, which includes Rick Kell, his daughter and a host of dedicated men and women who are impacting many of our troops and their families.

As we traveled it was great to hand out products at each location. All the guys got different products from sponsors and friends. In what has been a very difficult economic year, these fine companies never hesitated to reach out with items we could give away. All the gifts were met with appreciation and big smiles.

• Cobra Golf (Acushnet Company) donated golf clubs
• Pinnacle Golf (Acushnet Company) sent a very generous amount of golf balls for us to hit, sign and give away
• Adams Golf donated golf clubs
• Tom Watson gave away countless Bass Pro Gift Cards and Adams Caps
• Corey Pavin gave away AT&T calling cards and Ryder Cup caps
• Bogey Pro donated T-Shirts and caps
• Whippy Tempomaster graciously donated training clubs

Also, a big thank you to Art Sellinger for his energy and desire to make a difference in the lives of our troops. Many of the products handed out came because of calls he made. Lastly, thank you Golfweek for posting the ramblings of a C student turned ‘golf ball whacker guy.’

Now that I’ve been home I’ve had time to reflect on our goodwill trip.

I have also been able to answer questions from some of my friends who knew I was going. The question that that surprises me the most is, “How was the food?” How was the food? At first the question seemed a bit weird but I have come to realize it is just a concern that people have for the daily well-being of the troops. All I know is every place we went there was an abundance of food in DFAC (Dining Facilities). In fact it made me want to go on a diet … again. How can one go to Iraq for 10 days and gain weight? I’m not saying I did.

The other question I get a lot has to do with the morale of our troops. What I saw was a singleness of purpose and a dedication to doing the job they have been sent to do. I came away thinking these are the brightest men and women I have ever met.

During a trip to COP Cashe South I had the distinct honor of meeting LTC Mark Kneram and his right hand man CSM Clinton Reiss. After landing, we were ushered into the area where we would be doing our clinic. I walked past LTC Kneram and shook his hand like a thousand other people I had met. We then put our gear in a building and I asked our host where the person in charge was because I wanted to make sure and thank him. He said, “Oh, you probably just met him, he was right outside as you walked in.”

Sure enough, I walked out and here was this guy who could have passed for any one of my friends back home. He was just hanging back, no pretension, no, “Mr. Look-Who-I-Am.” Humble, quiet, friendly and not enough space to paint the picture of Mr. Kneram, and his CSM Reiss, who was identical in his hospitality. We engaged in some small talk and friendly banter. How was I to know what kind of men they are or what they had been through? I decided to look and here is a little of what I found.

LTC Mark S. Kneram enlisted in the Army in 1983. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Combat Infantry Badge (with star), Expert Infantry Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge and Ranger Tab.

CSM Clinton J. Reiss enlisted into the United States Army in November 1984. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal with Valor; Bronze Star Medal (with second Oak Leaf Cluster) Meritorious Service Medal (with 3rd Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Achievement Medal (with 9 Oak Leaf cluster); Good Conduct Medal (6th Award); National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Southwest Asia Ribbon (with 3 Bronze Stars); Iraq Campaign Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditary Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 4); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Joint Meritorious Unit Medal with oak leaf cluster; Valorous Unit Medal; Combat Action Badge; Senior Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge.

Two American heroes, men like so many others around the world doing their thing as best they can with a smile on their face. They were grateful for our trip in to see their troops. We did the best we could to make it a good night for them. It was late and I am quite sure many of the participants didn’t know a sand wedge from a sandwich. I never heard the hint of a complaint from anyone while in conversation. I know things have to be tough. Are you kidding? It’s a tough job and it’s an enormous sacrifice to risk your life and be away from your loved ones.

As I have written in previous blogs, I hate being away from my family for even two or three days, nevermind a year or more. It physically pains me to imagine leaving my house tomorrow and not being home again until Dec. 5, 2010. One year! How many ball games would I miss? How many nights at home gathered for a meal or in our family room watching a movie? How many Sundays in church with my bride and two children next to me? Good or bad, how many special, fleeting moments would I never be able to get back?

Now when I think of our troops I will think of what they and their families sacrifice on a daily basis. I will pray for them and their loved ones back home. And I will look for ways to make a difference in some of their lives. It is the least I can do for their dedication to making a difference in my family’s life.

You always worry that your efforts are too little to really make a difference. I posted a picture of a certain gentleman on this Golfweek Blog. His sister sent me a note and said I had given her a “gift.” It was a picture of her beloved brother. She was thrilled to see him on the Golfweek site. If something as simple as a picture can have an impact on someone else then I suppose there is nothing too small we can do.

I just keep asking, what can I do?

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