Saint Mary's Magazine Spring 2004 - Saint Mary's University of ...

often comes to us and we are ready
and have done our duty.
Did you expect to be in a
position where those close
to you, perhaps yourself,
face the real possibility of
death?
Death is a part of life. I knew when I signed on in the
Army before September 11 that evil can strike anywhere.
I also knew that, as a soldier, we are at a higher risk of
losing our lives, but knowing
that does not always help. It
is hard to have friends die
and feeling like it should
have been you.
After 9 months
overseas, how did it
feel to come home,
and what are your
plans for the future?
Sgt. Ryan Patrick Hinton
poses with area children It was hard being back, a lot
at a first-aid site in harder than I thought it
Baghdad. Hinton was would be. With the ongoing
assisting with delivering information coming in (of
humanitarian aid
supplies.
injuries and death within the
101st Airborne Division),
and knowing I can’t control any of it anymore.
I wanted to be a high school religion teacher when I left
college and now I am planning to continue that goal.
What are your hopes now
for the future of Iraq?
We’ve done some good things over there, and (Saddam’s
capture) is really the icing on the cake.
The hope is for (the people of Iraq) to experience a free
government … It helps our cause, but actually getting
Saddam Hussein in custody helps the Iraqi people. In
talking to people still over there via e-mail, Iraqi nationals
are really excited and see this as the life blood of their
new government.
Did you ever question God’s plan in times
of crisis, pain and suffering?
My faith in God has carried me
through these experiences, most
of which would have been too
hard to go through alone. Of
course I question God’s plan but
I never question that God has
me on the right path; pain and
suffering is part of humanity.
Even the Perfection of Christ felt
these things and He, in the
garden, questioned. But I have
found that by submitting to the
Lord I have found the light in
the darkness.≠
Today I do not have the gift of words to express the
tremendous loss that I feel in my heart for these soldiers,
some of whom I had known and some that I was there
when they returned to our heavenly Father. I do know
this fact though: I will always see their faces in the
folds of our flag. — R.H.
And so
I return to
the routine,
that which
gives solace
to this humble
servant at this
time. R.H.
Also served:
Thilges helped
Afghans
recover
Sgt. Jason C. Thilges
Fairmont, Minn.
SMU graduate: 2003
U.S. Army Civil Affairs
Specialist with 407th
Civil Affairs Battalion
(until February) stationed in Afghanistan. His
duties included refurbishing and rebuilding
schools, clinics, roads, wells and government
buildings; sponsoring clinics; distributing donations
to the impoverished; and
security assistance.
Miller’s company
fueled U.S. efforts
Ssg. Teresa M. Miller
Forest Lake, Minn.
SMU graduate: 2000
Miller’s 353rd Army Reserve
Transportation Company was
responsible for the transport of
bulk fuel (over a million gallons) which was hauled
mainly from south-central Iraq to Baghdad.
Know of an SMU alum currently serving in
the armed forces overseas? Let us know. We’ll put
a list of names and contact information online at
www.smumn.edu/alumni.
Veterans memorial planned
The alumni board of directors would like to announce
approval to create a veterans memorial on the Winona
campus. Initial plans have just begun for this memorial,
which will commemorate and honor all current
students and alumni from the Saint Mary’s community
who have served and who are currently serving in the
armed forces. More information will be communicated
as it becomes available.
■ For more information, contact Meg (Leuer ’97)
Richtman at mrichtma@smumn.edu.
12 SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE SPRING 2004