10th CAB family members’ symbolic ‘Walk to Afghanistan’ inspires recovering accident victim

Courtesy Photo | Barb Tyson of Mankato, Minn., sits with her granddaughter, Eden, at Mount St. Helens, Wash. Despite an accident which left her doubting she would walk again, Tyson has walked more than 106 miles to show her support for U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Erp, a pilot with Task Force Shooter, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and a native of Jordan, Minn. Walking has also helped with Tyson’s recovery from the accident.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.02.2011

Story by Sgt. Grant Matthes 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Todd Pouliot
10th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Family Readiness Group created a program for each task force’s families to join together and symbolically walk the 6,526 miles from Fort Drum, N.Y., to Afghanistan.

“The FRG members of Task Force Shooter have really taken this challenge to heart,” said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. John Panzer, a human resource officer with TF Shooter, 10th CAB, 10th Mountain Division. “Currently, TF Shooter is leading the pack at 2,652 miles.”

Family members have various reasons for participating and for Barb Tyson, the mother-in-law of a pilot from TF Shooter, walking is an activity she uses to show support for her son-in-law. At the same time, walking aids in her recovery from an accident that left her with injuries that made her wonder if she would ever walk again.

“I guess I have always enjoyed the calming effects of a long walk,” said Tyson, a native of Mankato, Minn. “It not only provides good exercise, but I love smelling the freshly cut grass and seeing the way the sun can shine on a building or the trees, and the wind blowing through my hair.”

However, it was during one of her walks when she was struck by a van, breaking both arms and fracturing her pelvic bone.

“It hurt so much to stand on it that I didn’t think I’d ever get out walking again,” she recalled. But, with support and encouragement, she was out walking again within four months.

This year her leg began cramping during walks and it became an excuse not to go out as often.

“Then my daughter told me about the Walk to Afghanistan,’” said Tyson.“I’m very proud of what my son-in-law Andy is doing and this is a way I can show that I support him.”

Tyson goes to great lengths to let her son-in-law know that he is not forgotten and that she supports what he’s doing.

“I knew my mom would really want to contribute to the Walk to Afghanistan because she has been very good at showing support for my husband while he has been deployed,” said Katie Erp, whose husband is U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Erp, a native of Jordan, Minn. “She writes him letters and prays for him.”

Katie, also of Mankato, Minn., said her mother tries to walk at least two miles a day and has walked 106.5 miles so far since November. Although her legs still occasionally cramp up, it’s getting better the more she walks.

“She feels better when she’s walking now, so it is her favorite part of the day,” said Erp.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2011
• Date Posted: 03.03.2011 07:11
• Story ID: 66384
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF