Pride of Hailey

Mike Stokely's parents separated and divorced when he was just four months after he was born and after having barely made a whirlwind courtship and marriage last two years plus years. His parents raised in two quality homes with sound middle incomes and work ethic. Mike Stokely's parents both remarried and their spouses loved Mike as his own - he always thought the kids whose parents lived together were cheated because he had two homes where he was loved and two moms and two dads who wanted him there all the time.

Mike Stokely knew he wanted to be a soldier since middle school and was a ROTC cadet since a ninth grader. He chose to join the Georgia Army National Guard at the end of his junior year at a very academically sound suburban Atlanta high school. His two very dear friends, Chuck Alden and Charles Crowder also joined a year later. Mike could have been at the beach that summer, but he chose instead to go to Boot Camp for his basic training.

He came back for his senior year of high school and graduated with his class, took a senior class trip post-graduation to Cancun, and while there, saved a friend from drowning in a strong undertow. He then did his AIT at Ft Gordon Augusta GA and then on to college.

Mike Stokely then decided to work a while and wait on an expected call-up. True he was a redneck, like his dad and his dad's dad, and so on back through time. For Mike Stokely was raised by his mother and father to be self sustaining and not to fear holding a job.

Mike Stokely worked construction and the long days in the hot Georgia sun leaving his dad's suburban home middle class home to drive a few miles to help build an upscale suburban neighborhood did what the sun does - burn you and hince, the reason folks from the south first were called rednecks. For the record, Mike Stokely and his family before him never married their own and thus he is not both a brother and an uncle to the same person, and he married someone totally outside his family bloodline.

Mike Stokely was intelligent, determined and hardworking. He did not join the military to get a job or escape poverty or poor circumstances at home. He joined the United State Military because he loved America enough to sacrifice his time to serve her needs, and when the time came, he willingly gave his life.

And when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, he was a redneck, because the sun in the Triangle of death shines hotter and burns you more than what he ever experienced back home in Georgia.

DUTY HONOR COUNTRY

(Not Jobs, money, or ticket out of town)

proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG

I wonder if the woman who made the "Three Cups of Tea" comment knows that Greg Mortenson (the subject of the book) is a a proud American veteran who currently works with the military regarding civil affairs in Afghanistan.

Robert,

It never ceases to amaze me that most any potentially positive story of any American involved in the military can't avoid pointing out (whether by hints - as in this example - or more blatantly) - how the subject is so different (in background, education, or otherwise) from "typical military" members.

Unless it's the story of a criminal, or someone accused of a crime (thinking Abu Ghraib or Haditha here). In that case they're typical. But the only thing "typical" about military criminals is that they're typically the only ones who will get much attention in the national spotlight. (I wonder how much notice Jared Monti will receive?)

The bottom line is there is no "typical". Eventually you'd think someone might catch on to that. But by now I thought most people would know we aren't in Afghanistan to kill Afghans, that we've even taken that desire to protect the population to levels many would believe absurd. That maybe even "Bowe probably loves those mountain people" is not perplexing in the least.

But that day has not come.

This article seems sort of pointless and kind of silly. So there's a pretty little town in Idaho with a bunch of southern CA transplants who don't think much of the military and can't understand why anyone would want to join up. Except this guy did. Because he's adventurous. And likes mountain people.

If it turns out that he acted foolishly and that his own behavior lead to his capture it won't be such a surprise to me after reading some of these quotes, not if these were the people who had any influence over him growing up. They seem clueless about a war that's been going on for almost a decade now. Although you would think a year in the Army might have given the Private some idea about the realities of being in a war zone.

Here's hoping he returns safely.

Don't judge Idaho by the Wood River Valley. It is a blue island in a sea of red, and indeed is not populated by Idahoans, but rather extremely wealthy folks, primarily from southern California, or other such places. That PFC Bergdahl hails and is native of the WRV is somewhat ironic.

Then again, I suppose the rest of us (native - USA JAGC Ret.) probably fall into the "redneck" category like Georgians etc.

Greyhawk, I would caution against making any speculation based on a few comments that are reported in the news. We all know that most "news" that gets reported has a shred of truth, but very few reporters put in the effort to actually find the whole truth.
I grew up in Wood River Valley, am an officer in the US Navy, and happen to be this young soldier's brother-in-law. Therefore, I would offer that our family actually does have a strong connection with the military.
Yes, our valley has been inundated with left-wing thought and California transplants, but that does not mean that everyone here holds to the same values. Just because one person in the valley is quoted as not having a clue about what our nation is doing in Afghanistan doesn't mean that everyone else in the valley has the same ignorance. The truth of the matter is that there has been overwhelming support from the valley and beyond. People want to learn more about Bowe's situation and what exactly is going on over there.
If you have any questions about this situation please take the time to do your own research before you rely on the half-true reports that come from many in the press. If you want some true insights to report on, then I will be willing to offer some.

Mike

First and foremost, your brother in law and family are in my family's thoughts and prayers. I'm fairly certain that would be echoed by about 99.99 percent of Americans.

Your points re: reporting are exactly what I was trying to say. If I failed to make that clear in my previous comment hopefully this one does.