Medal of Honor recipients visit The Rock

Published April 21, 2015
By Tech. Sgt. Jared Marquis
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Two Medal of Honor recipients visited The Rock as they transitioned out of Afghanistan with Operation Proper Exit on April 18, 2015.

Retired Army Master Sgt. Leroy Petry and retired Marine Cpl. Kyle Carpenter were part of a group returning from a five-day visit to Afghanistan and spent time talking with service members at the Desert Winds dining facility here.

Operation Proper Exit, part of the Troops First Foundation, provides the opportunity for wounded warriors to return to the battle space, share their experiences – both good and bad – and most importantly, leave the theater on their own terms.

“I was excited,” said Carpenter. “I wanted to come back to Afghanistan. I wanted to see it. I didn’t think I needed closure. That wasn’t a thought of mine coming over here. But to come over here and go through the hospital that resuscitated me and saved my life, to see the bed that I laid in when I was unconscious and all the steps that the medical staff went through to keep all of us alive and get us back home to our families. I can’t even put into words what it means to go through that process and see all of that. I’ve come to realize that there was some closure and I am very thankful for that.”

In addition to visiting the hospital, the group visited other bases throughout Afghanistan. Petry said their schedule was busy, usually 12-hour days, but he was grateful for the opportunity to see the troops still serving in Afghanistan.

“Seeing the troops is probably the most important part,” he said. “Being a veteran now, seeing active duty (service members) who are still over here continuing the transition and draw down is pretty amazing to see, and it gives me huge confidence in our future.”

Petry also got the opportunity to impart some wisdom those involved in the transition.

“One of the things I told them is if they are looking for something inspiring to come out of my mouth, they only need to look to their right and left and to their leaders,” he said. “That’s what inspired me.”

Carpenter also took advantage of the opportunity to interact with service members. He ate quickly so that he would have the chance to spend some time with the Marines at The Rock prior to moving on to the next base.

“I love Marines and I love being a Marine,” he said “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. We get to go home tomorrow night, and they’re still going to be over here for six or seven months. For them to be over here still rocking the uniform, still having dust on their boots is amazing, so I really just went over there and talked to them, asked about themselves, shook their hands and told them thank you.”

Carpenter said that is what he tries to do anytime he gets to talk to service members.

“We really just tried to reiterate and put into perspective how appreciative we are for their service,” he said. “I’m big on telling other service members that it’s really incredible and powerful that nobody made them raise their hand to join. A volunteer is a really incredible and powerful thing. To do that, knowing the risk; they are going to spend time away from family and time away from home, putting their safety and life on the line is really amazing.”

Petry, Carpenter and the rest of the group planned one more stop after The Rock before returning home.