My Hero

The following is a draft of a newspaper article - shared with me by my "son" (Daniel) Todd Madden. He grew up right in front of my eyes. He called me "mom" from middle school on. He dated and eventually married one of my daughters.

Back in those innocent days, belonging to JROTC was a way to learn citizenship, get pre-military training, and receive a headstart on what most thought would be a stint in the military to see the world and get a good education. When I saw Todd in his JROTC uniform, I was so proud of him. Never did I dream that in a few years he would be in the midst of a war. But the minute the events of 9-11 began to unfold, I knew otherwise. My heart sank when I realized that not only had our nation been attacked, but my "son" and many other sons and daughters would be sent to war.

As a member of Special Ops, it is rare that he is able to say where he is going or even when. Usually I get emails saying "My services are requested so if you don't hear from me for a while, don't worry." Don't worry! Right! How's a mom to NOT worry when she has no way to contact him and she reads and hears of the events in Afghanistan and/or Iraq?

When the plans to move to Tennessee were falling into place, one of the bonuses - I thought - was that now I was going to be living in the same state as my precious grandson Caleb and my "son" Todd. We would be able to visit often - a treat that I have rarely been able to enjoy in the past several years. But, alas, Todd (Daniel to the ARMY) was deployed within the first week of my being here in Tennessee. So now, we look forward to his homecoming so that I can welcome him with open arms and tell him to his face (instead of in letters and emails) just how proud I am of him - and how much I love him.

I'd like to give credit to the person who wrote this draft but unfortunately, when Todd sent it to me this is all I got.... Please read the following draft and see why I am so proud of this young man... And please remember him and all of our uniformed men and women in your prayers.


A private plane traveled from Hamilton , Ohio , to Clarksville , Tennessee , to meet a Fort Campbell Soldier at Outlaw Airfield on Saturday. Passers-by probably thought the pilots and waiting Soldier were good friends or family. In fact, it was the first time they met in person.

Joseph Secrist, an Army veteran from Hamilton , coordinated the flight to make a special presentation to Staff Sgt. Daniel Madden, a Night Stalker assigned to 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR (A)) at Fort Campbell , Ky. There was no fanfare, no audience, no speech and no round of applause. It was a personal thank you from one veteran to another.

Secrist presented a small token of appreciation to Madden for his service in the Global War on Terrorism: a replica of a SOAR(A) Chinook helicopter that was shot down in the Battle of Takur Ghar during Operation Anaconda in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan . Madden was a 160th crew member during that mission in which seven special operations forces were killed in action.

Though Secrist did not know Madden personally, he believes that every man and woman that serves our country deserves a thank you and recognition for their service and sacrifice. Building replicas of military aircraft representative of a military operation and presenting the models to veterans is Secrists' own personal way of showing his gratitude.

"I want to do more than a handshake and a thank you for veterans who fought for my freedom," said Secrist. "I also assume the responsibility to preserve and perpetuate individual contributions to aviation history."

His idea for recognizing veterans began after a chance meeting with a World War II veteran. "I was thinking about a color scheme for a B-24J (model airplane) and met Albert Oncidi who mentioned he was a B-24 pilot and flew a mission to the famous Ploesti Oil Refinery in Romania, one of the most daring and costliest raids of World War II," said Secrist. "I presented my first model to Albert in 1991 to preserve and perpetuate his story."

Secrist is not alone in his "crusade" to honor veterans. "Mr. A. Moore built a model of a second (SOAR) aircraft on Takur Ghar as a tribute to its crew," he said. "( Moore ) sent Dan photos of his model and enlisted me to shake Dan's hand on his behalf."

"I'm extremely appreciative that someone I have never met feels strongly enough about our Soldiers' sacrifices to spend so much time on such a precious gift," said Madden. "At the same time, I don't feel I did anything remotely good enough to deserve such a token."

Secrist said words can hardly describe what it means to recognize a veteran for their service to our nation. "It is an honor and a privilege to do this for veterans and I take it very seriously," he explained.

Madden's model is Secrist's first commemorating today's generation of veterans. After completing projects already in progress, Secrist hopes to find a female pilot or air crew to honor next. "My collection would not be fair or accurate without representing the courage and sacrifice of women in uniform," he said.

Working hard for accuracy, Secrist invests hundreds of hours into researching, building and modifying a single model. "Dan's nooks were modified with a false roof made of paper, balsa and wire ribs. I also made ammo boxes for the guns and made the aft cargo door retractable into the cargo ramp."

Since 1991, Secrist has completed and presented six models representing two pilots, two flight engineers and gunners, one boomer and one tail gunner representing snapshots of history from World War II , Vietnam and now Operation Enduring Freedom. When possible, Secrist builds two models of the aircraft, one for the veteran and one for his collection. He keeps a framed photo and caption of the veteran holding their model, a reminder of each Soldier's story.

Madden plans to display the model aircraft in his living room next to his Broken Wing Award, which he was presented for his actions on Takur Ghar when his aircraft was shot down by enemy fire. Though Madden feels he does not deserve recognition for his participation in the events at Takur Ghar, he believes the model aircraft is a reminder that people remember and appreciate the sacrifices service members make in the line of duty.


'There are a lot of things that (special operations forces) do that so few will ever know about," said Madden. "It is heartfelt to me that the memory of our fallen comrades from that night will be remembered."

Secrist hopes when Madden sees the model it will elicit thoughts of pride, accomplishment and a reminder that someone cares and had the foresight to preserve his history for future generations.

If you have a Soldier in mind for Secrist to recognize, he has a few simple requirements. First is that he meets the veteran in person. He said it is critical to have photographs of the aircraft for reference and the Soldier should be prepared for him to pick his or her brain for details on their combat experience. Every model Secrist makes is tailored to tell the Soldier's story that goes with it.

There is no cost for the models, said Secrist. "Their account was paid in full when they fought for my - our - freedom," he said. "In fact, I still owe them."

Joseph Secrist can be reached by e-mail at Tuskegee@fuse.net.