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'He-Man' is going back to Iraq
Pvt. 1st Class Bailey was overwhelmed by the welcome he received from the Miller County Elementary School fourth grade students, Principal Richardson introduced Pvt. Bailey by the name that he had always been known by when a student at Miller County Schools: He- Man. Heath stated that he had this speech about Iraq and being in the U.S. Army all ready, but when "Mr. Kent" introduced him as "He-Man," he lost it. The young solider thanked everyone and told the students to listen, learn, stay in school and get a good education. Heath joined the United States Army in April 2006. He graduated from basic infantry training from Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia, on August 11, 2006. During his 16 weeks of training, the soldier received extensive training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, ground fighting techniques, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewmen.
During these first three months in Iraq, Heath was promoted in rank and was given a medallion for his dedication to his unit and his fellow soldiers in need. Heath is the 22-year-old son of Al and Glenda Bailey of Colquitt and was a 2003 Miller County High School honor graduate. In a recent interview with Heath, he stated, "It is great to be home with my mom and dad and all my family and friends. It has been a long three months on the battlefield. I know that everyone here has been praying for me and all the men and women in the Armed Forces. There have been times when I could feel the power of God with me in troubled times. It has been quite an experience to see a different world than the one I am used to living in, but what I have seen will be with me for as long as I live. Knowing I am going back over to Iraq is a scary feeling. No one wants to go into a situation where you must kill or be killed, but I feel my country, my family and my friends need me to help protect them. What happened on 9-11 will never be forgotten when so many innocent people were killed by terrorists. We can't go back, but we can look ahead. I have no regrets of joining the United States Army. It has made me be more appreciative of what we have in the U.S.A. and to become a stronger person with God." Heath gave a special thank you to Pastor Kent Barwick and the Freewill Baptist Church, Miller County Elementary School, Mr. Tony Mock, Principal Kent Richardson, and the fourth grade teachers (Mrs. Cyndi Yates, Mrs. Sheila Allen, Mrs. Dana Nunnery, and Mrs. Elaine Shield), and Mr. Buddy Johnson for singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," the words are so true. "To all who have been praying for me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," the soldier added. Heath will be leaving again on June 8 from the Atlanta Airport for his second deployment to Iraq. Pvt. 1st Class Bailey is proud to be a member of the First Battalion, Fifteenth Infantry and their motto is "Can Do." This infantry battalion will have been in existence for 223 years, or since June 3, 1784. The First Battalion has been represented in the Civil War, War of 1812, Indian Wars, War with Mexico, China Relief, Philippines, World War I, World War II, Korea War, Vietnam War and now in Iraq. As we have celebrated this Memorial Day 2007, please keep our Veterans, our men and women who are in the Armed Forces in your prayers. Never forget our heroes who fought for our freedom by doing things that no one ever dreamed they would have to do, including the loss of their health, their wealth and even their lives. Freedom isn't free. |
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