William Bruck carried an American flag on his back pack throughout his entire 11 month tour in Iraq, Syria and Kuwait.
Bruck has served in the army for 29 years and has had four deployments to active combat wars. He has been deployed to Iraq three times and once to Afghanistan. Bruck continues to honor his country and the flag in his everyday life back home.
Thursday evening Army veteran Bruck revealed a memorial he designed to honor veterans of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) at his home care provider business, Visiting Angels.
“It originally started as a simple flag pole and then it became a whole lot more after the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” said Bruck. “It became in a lot of ways, a form of self therapy but I wanted to do something to recognize war on terror veterans that are alive, and passed as well, but especially for those alive.”
Bruck expressed that the abrupt ending of the war in Afghanistan in August left a lot GWOT veterans feeling confused and hurt.
“A lot of my friends were hurting and people that I didn’t expect to be hurting were,” said Bruck. “Once we talked and they opened up I realized they’re just as shook up about this too, everyone was shook up.”
Bruck said realizing the common feelings he and his fellow veterans shared inspired him to create a memorial to remind them, and all civilians, of the sacrifice GWOT veterans made.
“I wanted to do something special for the community because we have a memorial for those that passed, we have a Vietnam memorial, we have memorials for everything but we don’t have something for war on terror veterans and its been 20 years,” said Bruck. “It’s about time.”
Bruck and his son installed and designed the memorial. Bruck thoughtfully planned out each aspect of the design to be symbolic. A walk way leading up to the altar was created 11 rows wide to represent the 11 citizens of Monroe County that died while serving in GWOT combat zones. A statue of a kneeling angel sits in front of the flag pole representing peace, calm and endurance.
A short walkway made four bricks wide represents Bruck’s own story of serving four years overseas during four combat tours to Iraq.
“I have an obligation and duty as a survivor to honor my fellow veterans and ensure their sacrifices matter and a continued duty to the cause of freedom,” said Bruck.
Retired command master chief Joe Diaz, who spent 40 years with the U.S. Navy and served in six wars and conflicts, was the keynote speaker for the event. He honored GWOT veterans who he served with for their bravery and expressed frustration with elected officials for what he described as a mishandling of the war.
“GWOT veterans served with honor. You did your best for the people, for the men the women and especially the children of those countries,” said Diaz. “You were as brave and great as any who went before you. You took a slap in the face for your service by the football game ending of the war of August 31, but real America thanks you for your service.”
Numerous veterans from various wars were in attendance for the revealing and dedication. Several elected officials were also in attendance and spoke briefly, including Congressman Tim Walberg, Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, State Representative Joe Bellino, and Monroe Township Supervisor, Al Barron.
Monroe Post 1138, Veterans of Foreign Wars were there to raise the flag and give a 21-Gun Salute and Monroe Township Fire Fighter, Brian Merkle ended the ceremony by releasing two white doves.
