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by Bob_Ward from Dedham

Last Post 4 days, 23 hours Ago


Heroes Among Us
Aug 26, 2008 | 9:58 PM
Category: News
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Tonight I met a family that makes me proud to be an American.

In Dartmouth, Mass, I met Philip Dias, his wife Sandy, and their children Matthew and Logan.

Philip is a United States Army Chief Warrant Officer. He is a pilot for the U.S. Army.

On Saturday, Philip is headed to the Middle East. It is his fourth deployment to the Middle East since the terrorists attacked us on September 11, 2001.

This week the Dias family is carrying out a ritual that is all too familiar: helping Philip get ready for six months away.

Philip knows he is missing much. His son Matthew will soon celebrate his eighth birthday. This will be the fourth time he's missed one of Matthew's birthdays.

Yet tonight Philip and his family are not morose, far from it. They are carrying on, playing ball, sharing dinner, doing all the routine things we all do every single day. Yet on Saturday their world will be turned upside down for six months.

Why do they do this? Two words. Sacrifice and Service. Philip is 43, he's been in the US Army for 24 years. Sandy grew up in a military home, her dad served two tours in Vietnam. This is what they do.

I asked Philip how he gets through these separations. He told me it's never easy. But he's hoping his experience will instill values in his sons. Values like responsibility, leadership, integrity.

As Philip told me, "Basically doing what you have to do, even when you don't want to do it."

No matter what you think of the War on Terror, try to think of the Dias family and remember their sacrifice for our country.

I don't run across people like them every day.

And to the Dias family, I say, thank you.

Bob Ward

To see my story on the Dias family, please click here.
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Member Comments Total Comments: 4
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Chip read my blog view my photos
Aug 27, 2008 | 5:59 AM

Bob,

You have found what America is all about. And Phillip Dias gets it...it's NOT sacrifice "for your country" but commitment to your family. All our country is is a conglomerate of families, who happen to share the belief that people should control their own destinies (freedom). To be able to have the next generation do that, men must defend it. Period.

May God bless him, and bring him home safely....
jonsmom read my blog view my photos
Aug 27, 2008 | 9:23 AM

God bless the Dias family. I think people tend to forget the struggles the families of our military personnel go through when they have a loved one in a combat zone. These children are being brought up as all American children should be. Thank you to all our men and women in the military, no matter where they serve.
NorthernObserver read my blog
Aug 27, 2008 | 2:16 PM

Bob, if you have a chance go visit a military base. This scenario you witnessed with the Dias family is repeated a hundred fold all over this country.

Philip is a true American Hero. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the thousands in their extended military family.

May God Bless.
TheRealAmerican read my blog
Aug 27, 2008 | 4:24 PM

God bless the entire Dias family and all of the men and women serving our country and their families too.

Thanks for reminding us there is still honor out there Bob...
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Bob_Ward

I am a reporter/anchor specializing in crime and regular features such as New England's Unsolved and Mass Most Wanted.

Member Since: 10/16/2006


 

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