A soldier's death and a community's embrace

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | July 3, 2008 | Rick Harrison

[Graybeard58]

WASHINGTON, Conn. -- Last week, on the third anniversary of his son's death in Afghanistan, Ray Reich expected a red rose to appear by a military grave marker at the corner of his back lawn. A friend had put one there twice before.

This year, red and white roses decorated the marker, left by a pair of neighbors unwilling to let the day pass without a small gesture of respect and support.

"An awful lot of nice things have happened since his death," Reich said. "And continue to happen."

Army Maj. Stephen Reich died along with 15 other soldiers June 28, 2005, when their helicopter was shot down by militants as they sped to rescue a team of outgunned Navy SEALs in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan.

Reich, a pitching ace at Shepaug Valley High School and The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, died while commanding a mission about 6,500 miles away. But friends, relatives, neighbors, teammates and fellow soldiers back home continue to fight an easier fight, insisting others remember his memorable life.

"If we had a regular soldier and lived in a big city, it would not have been observed," Ray Reich said. "Not as remarkable. In a small town like Washington, we just have a big hug."

The Reichs felt the embrace almost immediately after the army confirmed news of Stephen's death. The family did not belong to any churches in town, so the First Congregational Church offered to host a prayer service.

Then the family flew to Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, home of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's 3rd Battalion. Stephen Reich was a 34-year-old pilot who commanded a company of Night Stalkers charged with flying Special Operations units in and out of potential trouble, usually at night.

Upon returning home, the Reichs found their lawn trimmed and their home cleaned. The dishwasher was emptied. Somebody vacuumed.

"Washington came out and did what it does best," said Sheila Anson, the town clerk and a member of the Parks and Recreation commission with Ray Reich. "Surround people in the community that need help. There's a snowball effect. You help someone else and you may receive help in return."

When about 50 family friends and relatives came for a memorial service at Town Hall, residents from all over town called to take them in.

"People will remind me — 'We met your uncle and his family,'" said Reich, a retired physics teacher at The Gunnery. "We're still finding out who did what. It's one of the things that keep me in debt to the town."

Sue Reich, Stephen's mother, a registered nurse at New Milford Hospital and a quilter, said the response has extended far beyond the town's borders.

National organizations have made quilts in her son's memory. They have received an oil painting and about 1,000 letters. The USA Baseball National Team retired his number in honor of his military service and performance for the national team.

West Point inducted him into its sports hall of fame and dedicated its baseball team room to him — quite an achievement, Ray Reich notes, in a place with buildings named for Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant.

And, Sue Reich said, men who served with her son have named their sons after him.

"All of the people we've met were almost clones of him," she said of his fellow soldiers. "Well-spoken, well-traveled, interesting, fun-loving people."

And in Washington, Stephen's friends have helped establish a citizenship award and an award for the high school student who best demonstrates character, leadership, achievement and service. Tributes to Stephen can be found in the high school, Town Hall and the American Legion Hall. Last year the Steep Rock Land Trust's Hidden Valley Reservation dedicated a bridge across the Shepaug River in his name.

"We're so pleased he's someone we can celebrate," Ray Reich said. "He didn't die in a drunken car crash. Something stupid. It was a final mission."

Today, dozens of people will participate in the annual Fourth of July 5K run and walk at Steep Rock, named three years ago in honor of Stephen Reich, who often ran the two-mile loop there with his dog Mookie. And weather permitting, tonight Ray Reich will see the skies above the high school lit with fireworks he helped organize as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

But even after the big events, after Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, after the dedications and the tributes, Ray Reich's eyes well with tears thinking about the smaller moments.

Every so often, a helicopter from the Bradley Air National Guard Base will buzz low over the Reichs' Scofield Hill Road house.

"They know where we live," Reich said. "They fly over irregularly. Unscheduled reminders from the fellas who fly in the reserves."

The reminders might be less frequent, but the impact remains emotional, Reich said, wearing a silver bracelet with his son's name, rank and final flight details.

"Typically days go by without anything happening, and then someone will call — one of his friends," Reich said as his voice began to crack. "They just wanted to say hello."

[Graybeard58]

Ray and Sue Reich with some of the things that commemorate their son's life at their home in Washington, Conn. June 28 marks the 3rd anniversary of the day Army Maj. Stephen Reich died in Afghanistan. (Steven Valenti / RA)

[definitelynotaliberal]

Thank you for posting this.

Happy 4th of July.

[hsalaw]

But friends, relatives, neighbors, teammates and fellow soldiers back home continue to fight an easier fight, insisting others remember his memorable life.

Honoring and remembering our fallen heros is part of what makes us Americans: we will never forget those who have fought and fallen to keep us safe and free. May God bless and keep our fallen heros, and may He bless and comfort their courageous families.

[freema]

Thank you for posting this.