(courtesy photo)Operation Tribute to Freedom: Local soldier recently returned from Afghanistan
Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) shares the stories of Soldiers who have or are currently serving in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The program connects these Soldiers with their local communities through speaking and appreciation events, as well as media outreach.
When Saginaw local Sgt. Simon Baum deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry team leader with the 82nd Airborne Division, he left as a family of two but knew he’d return home to a family of five—as just days before he left, his wife learned that she was pregnant with triplets. Halfway through the deployment, he returned home to witness the premature birth of his three daughters, and then made the hard decision to return to Afghanistan to complete the mission with his unit.
While out on a patrol mission in June 2007, an improvised explosive device detonated near Baum’s convoy, and he sustained multiple serious injuries, including a broken wrist, fractured fibula and torn cartilage in his knee. After arriving stateside for further medical treatment, he was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury.
In December 2007, just before his comrades returned from Afghanistan, Baum was transferred to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., and worked tirelessly to avoid a medical discharge. Anxious to serve again on the frontlines, he was committed to making a full recovery and returning to his unit.
After an arduous recovery, Baum was able to rejoin his unit in early 2009, and by August, he and other members of Task Force Fury were on their way back to Afghanistan. During his recovery, he was promoted and would serve overseas as a team leader.
Yet Baum’s pre-deployment training could not prepare him for one transition that he would face throughout the course of his year-long deployment: becoming a father. Just two days before he left for Afghanistan, Baum and his wife learned that they were expecting triplets.
Just a few months into the deployment, however, Baum received a call to return to Michigan for the premature birth of his daughters. Although he was able to be in the delivery room for all three births, he returned to the battlefield just weeks after their birth. However, when the opportunity presented itself for Baum to serve with the rear detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., Baum took the job—he was still able to serve with his unit, but it also allowed him to help his wife care for their infant daughters.
Balancing his sense of duty to his country and his role as a father of three infants has been a challenge, but Sgt. Baum has made a resolute commitment to both.
Baum lives with his family in the Cameron, N.C. area. In the future, he would like to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and serve as an officer.
“I want to take what I’ve learned in the Army so far, and lead as an officer. I like being at the front of the fight, not just supporting it from behind,” he said. “In the Army I feel like I’m doing something with my life. I love my job and my family, and I’m willing to sacrifice time away from my family rather than have something like 9/11 happen again.”
Every Soldier has a story to share and OTF wants to tell yours. If you are a Soldier who has or is currently serving in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, sign up with Operation Tribute to Freedom at www.army.mil/otf/soldiers.html.
Soldiers from communities across America are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. If you would like to have a Soldier share their personal experiences at your community or organization event, or would like to honor a local hero, fill out the Request for Event Support Form at www.army.mil/otf/eventorganizers.html.
Operation Tribute to Freedom works with Army Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) to share their Soldiers’ stories. OTF also offers up proactive opportunities that PAOs can volunteer their Soldiers for. Register with OTF for updates on event and media opportunities or to view products designed for PAOs at www.army.mil/otf/paos.html.
For more information about Operation Tribute to Freedom and read about other soldiers and their experiences, go to http://www.army.mil/otf/index.html.
View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html
Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) shares the stories of Soldiers who have or are currently serving in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The program connects these Soldiers with their local communities through speaking and appreciation events, as well as media outreach.
When Saginaw local Sgt. Simon Baum deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry team leader with the 82nd Airborne Division, he left as a family of two but knew he’d return home to a family of five—as just days before he left, his wife learned that she was pregnant with triplets. Halfway through the deployment, he returned home to witness the premature birth of his three daughters, and then made the hard decision to return to Afghanistan to complete the mission with his unit.
While out on a patrol mission in June 2007, an improvised explosive device detonated near Baum’s convoy, and he sustained multiple serious injuries, including a broken wrist, fractured fibula and torn cartilage in his knee. After arriving stateside for further medical treatment, he was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury.
In December 2007, just before his comrades returned from Afghanistan, Baum was transferred to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., and worked tirelessly to avoid a medical discharge. Anxious to serve again on the frontlines, he was committed to making a full recovery and returning to his unit.
After an arduous recovery, Baum was able to rejoin his unit in early 2009, and by August, he and other members of Task Force Fury were on their way back to Afghanistan. During his recovery, he was promoted and would serve overseas as a team leader.
Yet Baum’s pre-deployment training could not prepare him for one transition that he would face throughout the course of his year-long deployment: becoming a father. Just two days before he left for Afghanistan, Baum and his wife learned that they were expecting triplets.
Just a few months into the deployment, however, Baum received a call to return to Michigan for the premature birth of his daughters. Although he was able to be in the delivery room for all three births, he returned to the battlefield just weeks after their birth. However, when the opportunity presented itself for Baum to serve with the rear detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., Baum took the job—he was still able to serve with his unit, but it also allowed him to help his wife care for their infant daughters.
Balancing his sense of duty to his country and his role as a father of three infants has been a challenge, but Sgt. Baum has made a resolute commitment to both.
Baum lives with his family in the Cameron, N.C. area. In the future, he would like to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and serve as an officer.
“I want to take what I’ve learned in the Army so far, and lead as an officer. I like being at the front of the fight, not just supporting it from behind,” he said. “In the Army I feel like I’m doing something with my life. I love my job and my family, and I’m willing to sacrifice time away from my family rather than have something like 9/11 happen again.”
Every Soldier has a story to share and OTF wants to tell yours. If you are a Soldier who has or is currently serving in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, sign up with Operation Tribute to Freedom at www.army.mil/otf/soldiers.html.
Soldiers from communities across America are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. If you would like to have a Soldier share their personal experiences at your community or organization event, or would like to honor a local hero, fill out the Request for Event Support Form at www.army.mil/otf/eventorganizers.html.
Operation Tribute to Freedom works with Army Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) to share their Soldiers’ stories. OTF also offers up proactive opportunities that PAOs can volunteer their Soldiers for. Register with OTF for updates on event and media opportunities or to view products designed for PAOs at www.army.mil/otf/paos.html.
For more information about Operation Tribute to Freedom and read about other soldiers and their experiences, go to http://www.army.mil/otf/index.html.
View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html
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