MY UNCLE, MY WAR HERO

I’ve always wondered why war heroes are so greatly important in our modern society today. As I have grown up, I have learned and was welcomed by a prime example to have a response to those same inquiries, my uncle, Carmen S. Turchiarelli. Carmen was not born in the US, he stepped into American soil at age five. What puzzles me is the fact that he returned the call of offering himself as a draft pick without any hesitation, as a 19-year-old boy! He was barely a man at that age and certainly had much to lose being that he had the wealth of family by his side. It’s quite easy for the average human to be able to verbally commit and tell themself that they are devoted to achieving a matter so dangerous.

To play the part of the character that willingly leaves their family, friends, and whatever milestones of their past in the environment that they once called home, it’s much more difficult than described. Behind that, I was most intrigued by the aspect that Carmen had no consideration for the idea of fighting for his new country of now 14 years; it was no trouble for him to have at least a moment to process the crucial offer, he dove right in headfirst even if it was not his birthplace.  After enlisting, he was hit with what one would call a bomb. He was informed of the possibility that he might have to face the Italian army. Carmen was not at all even the least fazed by the idea of going to war with his former countrymen.  He simply dismissed the possibility and proceeded forward into the battle of warfare. However, luckily, he did not have to confront that possibility. Instead, he was racked with his first introduction of combat experience, fighting against German soldiers in one of World War II’s significant battles — D-Day, the United States’ invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

 As a 13-year-old student-athlete, I still, to this very day, cannot comprehend the sacrifices that my uncle made as a soldier. And for what reason? America was not his mother country, and he was not born or raised in the United States. Why would he be willing to possibly sacrifice his life? As his military experience intensified, along with training, and demonstrating bravery, he was sent to the battlefield in record time. He was a member of the 1st Infantry Division, formally known as the “Big Red One”, giving him a clear run of the use of the Bazooka, shooting down several German tanks in the “Battle of Hürtgen Forest”, a battle where many of our American boys lost their lives.  

Men in his Division described him as a brave soldier, coming to the rescue and saving countless lives. This earned him the Silver Star. Later on, he was also awarded a Bronze Star for his continued bravery and service to this country.  It takes quite a buildup of skillfulness to take charge in the fearfulness of a battlefield, knowing that you can get killed, but the hero pushes on, moving forward, fighting for his adopted country, and protecting the lives of his men; coming home, with the memories of the servicemen that died, not coming back home, and not forgetting the lives one had to take on the other side.

My uncle is my hero. I will do my best to keep his memory alive, to advocate on his behalf, reminding people of this American heroism, my uncle. 

Note: The 1st Infantry Division’s nickname, the “Big Red One,” originated from the division’s insignia, a large red number “1” on a khaki field. This nickname was adopted during World War 1 when the 1st was the first American division to arrive in France. (Source: Internet: History on the Net, https://www.historyonthenet.com/1st-infantry-division).