Gen. Petraeus awards Purple Hearts to TF Duke soldiers, discusses future

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Zumer | U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, awards the Purple Heart to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Michael Roszko, platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Khowst province, Afghanistan, June 2. Roszko, an infantryman and native of Bronx, N.Y., was one of 16 TF Duke soldiers awarded the Purple Heart from Petraeus at the ceremony. Petraeus also met later in the day with Khowst Provincial Governor Abdul Jabaar Naeemi for a luncheon and conversations about events and challenges facing the Afghan and coalition partnership.  

KHOWST PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

06.02.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. John Zumer 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Purple Heart is the one award few people, if any, ever aspire to get. Still, for the 16 soldiers who received the award at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Khowst province, Afghanistan, June 2, the day is likely to carry extra meaning because of a special guest present who recognized their accomplishments.

U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, came to FOB Salerno for an operational update and battlefield circulation with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke. Before getting to the planned business of the day, he took the opportunity to meet the wounded soldiers from the task force. It’s not every day that a Purple Heart recipient has the award presented by such a distinguished guest, but as far as Petraeus is concerned, the honor is hardly one-sided.

“It means everything,” said Petraeus. “They give me far more energy and far more encouragement than I can ever give to them.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Michael Roszko, an infantryman and platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke was most appreciative of Petraeus’ efforts to be with the soldiers and present the Purple Hearts.

“It was really nice,” said Roszko, on his fourth combat tour since 2001. “It was a good honor to have Gen. Petraeus do it.”

Roszko, a native of Bronx, N.Y., earned his Purple Heart from injuries received during a grenade attack on St. Patrick’s Day.

Petraeus was assisted during the awards ceremony by U.S. Army Col. Chris Toner, commander of the 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., TF Duke and a native of Topeka, Kan. The men thanked all the soldiers individually for their heroism and sacrifice as the Purple Hearts were presented, and the packed auditorium included many unit commanders and other leadership of the honorees.

Before the crowd dispersed at the close of the ceremony, Petraeus thanked all present for their contributions, and even passed out coins to all veterans with at least three cumulative years of deployments since 9/11.

The gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

“I’m really glad he recognized the guys that had done multiple deployments,” said Roszko.

For all his well-received comments and thanks for the combat wounded and veterans present, however, a humble Petraeus spoke afterwards about his perceptions on the inadequacy of his words.

“We can never thank them enough for the sacrifices that they and their families have made over the past decade,” said Petraeus.

Petraeus and Toner had a full slate of activities and meetings planned afterwards, including a luncheon with Khowst Provincial Governor Abdul Jabaar Naeemi. The prospect of a continued shared future with Afghan partners, and the hard-earned gains made on the battlefield are still reversible, said Petraeus. Maintaining vigilance against the enemies of the Afghan people remains of great concern and importance to Petraeus, who was quick to point out recent success in eastern Afghanistan and across the country.

“There has been significant progress here, especially over the course of the past year. We have taken away very important areas from the Taliban and the other elements of the insurgency,” said Petraeus.

And even though he’ll be retiring by the end of 2011 and moving into a likely position as head of the Central Intelligence Agency upon congressional confirmation, Petraeus said he looks forward to the position’s challenges while continuing to serve after wearing a U.S. Army uniform for 37 years.

“It represents a great opportunity to continue to contribute to the endeavors in which we’ve been engaged, especially since 9/11,” said Petraeus.

• Date Taken: 06.02.2011
• Date Posted: 06.03.2011 03:58
• Story ID: 71509
• Location: KHOWST PROVINCE, AF