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A Purple Heart among broken hearts

MIKE McCLEARY/Tribune North Dakota National Guardsman Sgt. Claude O'Berry, Jr., left, receives the Purple Heart medal from Maj. General David Sprynczynatyk during a ceremony held Tuesday in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol in Bismarck.

Mar 19, 2008 - 04:05:09 CDT

By TONY SPILDE
Bismarck Tribune

C.J. O'Berry's real heart is black and blue.

Bruised. Scarred. Still a little broken, probably.

Not a day goes by that he doesn't think about what happened, doesn't feel the physical reminder poking him in the kidney.

It was nice, then, on Tuesday morning when O'Berry got a new heart. A shiny one, untarnished by misfortune. A purple one.

O'Berry was pinned with the Purple Heart in a brief and bittersweet ceremony at the state Capitol. Several fellow soldiers from the North Dakota National Guard were there. Supportive family members took up the first three rows of seats.

In the front row, O'Berry's aunt and uncle absorbed the proceedings with a melange of pride and grief. They smiled when Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk pinned the medal on their nephew's uniform. They bowed their heads and closed their eyes when he turned away from them.

O'Berry earned his Purple Heart on Nov. 23, 2006, on a rough road in Afghanistan. One minute he was on patrol, and the next he was the target of a rescue mission, his armored vehicle torn up by a rocket-propelled grenade.

The rocket shot into the Humvee through the door behind O'Berry. Shrapnel pierced his seat and his body armor, coming to rest inside his back, near his right kidney. Another man in the vehicle had his right leg severed in the explosion.

A third man, a good man, was dead.

His name was Cpl. Nathan Goodiron. Everyone called him Nate.

He was O'Berry's cousin.

Goodiron didn't come home from Afghanistan, not in the sense that you normally talk about. His body came back, and they held a large funeral for him in his hometown of Mandaree. His parents, Paul and Harriet Goodiron, are still taking life a day at a time.

That was them in the front row on Tuesday. Proud as could be for their nephew. Sad their son wasn't there, too.

"I'm very happy, very proud of what happened for C.J. today," Paul Goodiron said after the ceremony. "Ialmost lose it whenever I think back to that night, to getting that phone call. It could have been so much worse for our family if C.J. hadn't made it out alive. It's a reminder that freedom isn't free, that freedom isn't cheap."

O'Berry and Nate Goodiron grew up together. They enlisted together in the National Guard. They left North Dakota together for service in a foreign land, but they did not come home together.

"Everyone is close in our family, everything we do, we do together,"O'Berry's father, Claude, said Tuesday. "(C.J. and Nate) were always together as brothers since they were little kids, always side by side."

No one should have to go through that heartache, but, of course, many people do. Every day. The Purple Heart means a lot. It's more than a medal. But it's not like getting your real heart back.

These are tough times in Mandaree, up on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Nate Goodiron isn't coming back. Everyone got that reminder Tuesday.

Nathan Hale, vice president of the Three Affiliated Tribes, spoke at Goodiron's funeral. He spoke about how Goodiron gave his life for what he believed in.

Hale died on Monday of a heart attack. His, too, was apparently bruised and scarred.

Hale's name and his words reminded some of the better-known Nathan Hale, the American revolutionary who said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

O'Berry carries a similar sentiment.

If given a second chance, even knowing how it would turn out, he'd likely go back to Afghanistan.

"My immediate, gut reaction is 'Yes, without a doubt,'" he said. "But Ialso have to consider my family. They're my biggest support system. And there are the guys from the third platoon. We call ourselves 'The Misfits,''cause no one gets us like we get ourselves."

(Reach reporter Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tony.spilde@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

B.P. OBerry wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:42 AM:

" C.J., I'd like to add my gratitude for your service along with the many who have commented here. You make me proud to be an O'Berry. "

Parent of 188th ADA wrote on Apr 4, 2008 5:04 PM:

" CJ, You are a sign of Hope, Inspiration and Courage for all of us! The time during your units deployment brought many changes to the lives of our families. It brought our families together, we formed a special bond that is hard to explain, but what comes to mind for some of us is "forever changed & never forgotten" . I have so much pride and admiration for your platoon / unit and for the sacrifices that were made. Time helps to heal all wounds and remember you are not alone in your journey. Keep your family, friends and brother soldiers close. Like you said "Our Platoon was known at the MISFITS and nobody gets us, like we get ourselves". I know that my son and our family will always see you as someone special!!! LOVE AND PRAYERS ALWAYS! MOM of a FELLOW SOLDIER / BROTHER "

Mom of 188th wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:33 PM:

" CJ Congratulations we love you and you are in our prayers. We are all so proud of you!! You are a great man. Thank you!

Snap! Watch what you say, you don't want to mess with the moms of the 188th! "

Captain Crunch wrote on Mar 26, 2008 8:06 AM:

" I'm still waiting for a reply from "Snap". "

Family On Standing Rock wrote on Mar 25, 2008 1:14 PM:

" Thank You CJ for your courage and bravery... RIP Nate "

Naumann wrote on Mar 24, 2008 6:34 PM:

" Thank you SGT O'Berry and good luck as you face life's new hurdles. As a veteran I am proud of you and admire you, and the rest of your platoon, company and the whole NDARNG. A lesson many of us have learned over the years is that freedom is, indeed, not free. It seems that it must be earned all over again by each new generation. As you admire the prarie, the hills and valleys back home, I am sure that Nate is with you. Thank you.

To everyone else, Snap is a pinhead who has never risked anything more precious than his reputation, and that only under a pseudonym. "

Brother wrote on Mar 24, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Congrats Claude! Well deserved and about time.

By the way Im guessing Snap hangs out at the Sports Page "

REX wrote on Mar 24, 2008 3:24 PM:

" Mr. Gordon, That would pretty much include all the democrats in congress. "

Coe Gordon wrote on Mar 24, 2008 2:54 PM:

" One way to give thanks is to educate our children and vote against evey single politician who has failed at any time to support our military either moraly or financialy. "

CD wrote on Mar 24, 2008 2:41 PM:

" Congratulations Sgt. O'Berry. How can we thank you ? One way is to NEVER FORGET what you, your cousin Nate and all soldiers/veterans have given for this country. "

Yeh! wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Your community is very proud of you and so am I.
Salute!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Captain Crunch wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:29 AM:

" Mr Snap, Who DID ensure your freedom of speech? "

Coe Gordon wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Snap, There are a lot of dead citizens from 9-11 who didn't sign up either. The rest of us are kept safer because of young people who are not afraid to stand between us and danger. When I read a post such as your's I am glad that my father is dead. He was a Pacific combat veteran in WWII and always refered to folks with your point of view as, (People like that). I agree. "

DuWayne Hendrickson wrote on Mar 23, 2008 11:24 AM:

" My brother also has one of those Purple Hearts. It is next to the flag that draped my brothers coffin andis proudly displayed at my mothers house.I think of Kenny and Keith every day.A lot of people have no idea what that means to any of us that are or were in the military. Thanks to all that serve. CJ and Nate are just a couple more in the long list of heros that ND has produced THanks to all. "

sm wrote on Mar 21, 2008 5:55 PM:

" You've got to hand it to Tony Spilde on this one, as usual... pure poetry. Thanks Tony. "

dante wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:09 PM:

" i salute each and every one of our brave military members. cj, you guys rock! "

Hog Man wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:37 PM:

" THANK YOU C.J. for your service and sacrifice. HOOAH!! "

Vetter wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:19 PM:

" CJ; This country owes you, thanks you, cherishes you, and will not forget.
Be good to yourself and God Bless you. "

A fellow brother of the Purple Heart wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:53 AM:

" " You have never lived until you have almost died. For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know!" "

C.S. wrote on Mar 20, 2008 10:39 PM:

" I would like to say "THANK YOU" to all the people that provided the comments of support and encourgement to my son and sentiments for the loss of my nephew.

Reading the comments from so many people has touched my heart and brought me to tears. It is overwhelming to think how many people truy care about our military service personnel and are willing to reach out at these difficult times.

Please consider ignoring and not responding to the negative comments from one certain individual.

By having a total disrespect and lack of compassion for my family, "snap" has tried to turn this proud moment into one of debate. There are many other places someone can freely express their views, why use a news article about anyone who has suffered through the pains of injuries and loss of life.

Many thanks to the families of the 1-188th and especially 3rd platoon "misfits" you are always there for us and watching out for the brown guy. "

kenny wrote on Mar 20, 2008 9:56 PM:

" I want to thank every one of our vets both living and passed on, no matter what anyone says i'll always support our military. THANKS!! "

SNAP! wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:09 PM:

" Ah! And now the argument changes! You see, the quote reads that "The freedom you have to express yourself on these posts was earned by these soldiers.
"These" soldiers" means our modern troops. I replied that my freedom of speech was not earned by these modern soldiers. This is the truth.
So suddenly the argument changes to "soldiers over time have fought for those rights" This is true, however, this is an entirely different argument.

"What they believe in their hearts is the right way of life?"
Belief is not empirical. The "right way of life" is subjective and, if I understand you and your definition correctly, ethnocentric with a heavy dose of capitalism and christian beliefs all mixed in. "

Prode vet wrote on Mar 20, 2008 1:34 PM:

" snap: It is because of people like CJ and Nate that you have the right to talk gargabe. I am a 20 year vet who also lost a nephew in Iraq. I also work with the mother of Nate and know what the lose means. Although I do not agree with the coments that you made, I have and would again defend with my life,(as will all military members) your right to FREE speach. "

hooah mom wrote on Mar 20, 2008 7:40 AM:

" snap-you have a very distorted view on life. The doctors and nurses that contact aids while helping others knew what they were signing up for. The policeman that gets shot in the line of duty, obviously just wanted to walk around carrying a gun. yes, the freedoms we have are most certainly because soldiers over time have fought for those rights. Maybe you should take a little vaca over to Apfghanistan and understand what its like to have no freedom of speech. From the looks of the opinions here you would be against the majority by far. If you were talking like that in afghanistan, I guess the only comment I would have after the taliban got ahold of you would be --"HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS GETTING HIMSELF INTO." GOD forbid the time comes when we have no man and woman
who are willing to fight for what they believe in their hearts is the right way of life. But personally after reading all these comments I don't think that will ever
happen. We are all very blessed to have nothing but the good fortune to have been born in the U.S.A. and hopefully we never take that or our soldiers for granted. "

SNAP! wrote on Mar 20, 2008 2:54 AM:

" "The freedom you have to express yourself on these posts was earned by these soldiers"

No, no it wasn't.
I'm sorry these folks lost a son, but hey, that's what happens when you sign up and find yourself in a war zone. I'm alive and posting because I didn't sign up. Oh, and I don't belive in god either.
I know, I know, I'm practically evil incarnate. "

To Snap and All Others wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:09 PM:

" Snap, you want a reaction - here it is - I am family member of a solider who was with this fine young man when tradgedy struck. We were eating Thanksgiving dinner when we got that horrible horrible call. I will never have another Thanksgiving in my life without those memories. You should be glad these fine young men may have an interest in shooting a gun or making a decent lifestyle for themselves by serving their country - i'm sure you probably don't have the courage to go through what these fine young men and women do. The freedom you have to express yourself on these posts was earned by these soldiers - do yourself and the rest of us a favor and leave this forum. This was a fine story and reminds us all that "some gave all, all gave some." Snap - why don't you take a moment to think about what others are doing for you and your lifestyle before you post such an ignorant and disrespectful comment. God Bless the 188th! You'll never be forgotten. "

SR Warrior fan wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:03 PM:

" I want to say thank you to my little brother CJ and that we are all so proud of you! I know Nate is smiling down on you. We all love and cherish you down here on Standing Rock. You are truely a warrior! "

Military Parents wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:49 PM:

" As the parents of one of the 3rd Platoon "misfits" we know a little of what these young men went through in their year long deployment to Afghanistan. To "snap!" we have this to say--- no these young soldiers did not know all the risk's they would be asked to take when they signed their name on the dotted line to serve their country, and no they did not sign up "just so they could shoot a gun" They signed up because they had a sense of duty to their country and YES freedom isn't free--they are overseas in harms way fighting for all of our freedom.
Congratulations CJ and keep smiling "

Mother of a Warrior wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:34 PM:

" Thank you Sgt. O'Berry and your family for serving our country. You have given more than we can ever give back!!! May you have many successes in life. "

FtPeckDionne wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:20 PM:

" Congratulations C.J.! My prayers and thoughts go to you and your family! You have such a good family, You're support system is very Strong! Keep your head up and We'll be thinking of you in MT. May the Great Spirit Watch over you and your loved ones! "

Ignore wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:17 PM:

" I've seen "Snap!" on here before. he's only looking for a reaction, don't give him the satisfactions. He is a ''pinhead'. "

SNAP! wrote on Mar 19, 2008 5:05 PM:

" "It's a reminder that freedom isn't free, that freedom isn't cheap."

What!? First, we aren't overseas fighting for our freedom. Second, these young men signed up and knew the risks, nobody forced them. Most of these young bucks sign up because they are filled with testosterone and want to shoot a gun. They come back a lot wiser though.
"

Stepper wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:39 PM:

" Sgt O'Berry...Thank you. God bless you. "

Dirty old farmer wrote on Mar 19, 2008 2:24 PM:

" Thank you, Mr. O'berry. My hope is you never have to go back, and time heal your memories. "

Mom wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:13 AM:

" Thank you C.J. "

Former Marine and 188th ADA Member. wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:57 AM:

" You make us all very proud that Nathan and you have served with distinction as well as the rest of your unit. It is a reminder that our freedoms have a price. I am thankful that men such as Nathan and you have answered the call. Only time will heal your wounds and may Nathan's sacrifice never be forgotten. Well done soldier carry on!!!! "

Hidatsa wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:50 AM:

" I just want you to know C.J. the whole entire reservation back home love you and
are their for you and are at most of all proud of you. Take each day one day at a time and you are in our prayers and your family too. My heart goes out to Harriet and Paul Good Iron for the loss of their son. I will pray for you also time will heal your pain and Nathan will always be remembered GOD BLESS you C.J. and your family. "

SE Forty wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:48 AM:

" Congratulations C.J. "

hooah moms wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:15 AM:

" The scars and memories that these boys will have to endure will haunt them forever. Please do not ever forget to thank your veterans for the service that they have given for their country. This article was very well written and gave citizens a small glimpse into the life of a soldier after he comes home. The long process that they must go through to get back to what is some resemblence of life before war is a life long battle that they will fight for a lifetime.. Hopefully, we as a nation will do all that is in each of our powers to make this road as travelable as we can. The loss of their adopted "family" members in situatuons that we
cannot even imagine will be a daily struggle for them, the families of the fallen and those of us who have "adopted" those families. C. J., you are a hero to us,
our sons that stood beside you in war and to all the people of this country.
HOOAH!!!! May god bless, you are in our prayers daily. "

Sianna wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Congratulations CJ. Your bravery and heart show that you are one great man of many. I am proud and thankful for what you do for this country and the outside countries. Nathan will be missed but I do know that he is with you, your platoon and the reservation. "

Outsider wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Bittersweet but very beautiful. the families of all deployed military will always be in our prayers!! our prayers are with all who lost someone in this ugly war. "

proud of you wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:21 AM:

" my heart also aches but am proud of you as a young warrior you did this for our country my son also has enlisted in the guard a year ago and i am proud. keep up the work for our youth to look to in these times when we are troubled by the things that our youth should not have to face. we all love you even though we never met. "

Leonard wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:19 AM:

" Congratulations and THANK-YOU young man. To you and your family. "

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