Silver Star recipients share experience, inspire community Published Oct. 13, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Silver Star recipients visited Sheppard to inspire the community with their stories Oct. 10-11 during the 2009 Open House Air Show. Sgt. Jason Mike and Sgt. Tommy Rieman travel with the Virtual Army Experience, used by the Army as a public outreach video game. Part of the experience is the Real Heroes program to entice and inspire people with real stories of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things in combat. Sergeant Mike said earning the Silver Star is overwhelming because of the history of the award and the people that received it before him. "The men that received the award before me did some great things for our country," he said. "It's not about me, it's about the guys that served in Iraq. Without them, I wouldn't be here today." He said he received the award for his actions March 20, 2005 during a patrol convoy on the eastern sector of Baghdad. The patrol was ambushed by 50 insurgents and his vehicle alone was surrounded by 25 insurgents. "Immediately after exiting the vehicle three guys were wounded which left me to battle 25 insurgents for 45 minutes," he said. "After eliminating the enemy I took my guys, brought them to the vehicle and went back into the ambush to help the rest of the convoy." The soldiers defeated 27 insurgents that day and captured one because of their teamwork and training tactics they had been taught, he said. Sergeant Mike said he learned of the terrorists' plans to ambush other military personnel from the captive. The sergeant said he uses his experiences to give people a real world perspective to what it's like in the Army. "I had to do my job," the Silver Star recipient said. "People hear and see things in the media but never talk to people that have 'been there and done that.' "Hearing stories from someone who received a medal like the Silver Star, one of the highest medals someone can receive, makes a difference. They're hearing it from someone who was on the ground when bullets were flying, actually toe-to-toe with the enemy," Sergeant Mike said. He said people could relate to a "normal, everyday guy going to fight for the freedoms of our country. It gives a different aspect on what it's like to be a soldier and what it's like to go overseas." Sergeant Rieman received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions December 3, 2003 during a three vehicle convoy with eight men, 15 kilometers south of Baghdad. He said the convoy was ambushed by 35 insurgents and hit by rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices and gunfire. "In order to stay alive in an ambush you've got to gain fire superiority," said Sergeant Rieman. The team's gunner was on a 50 caliber machine gun and Sergeant Rieman used his body as a shield to protect the gunner and maintain superiority. He was shot in the arm and chest and took shrapnel throughout his body before defeating the 35 insurgents and being ambushed again by 15 insurgents. The team eliminated the enemy again and all eight returned home to their families. "The Silver Star is a great representation for what I stand for and more than that, I represent everybody in the Army," said Sergeant Rieman. "To me that's the biggest honor. Now that I get to be that person and face is an honor." He said he is grateful that people want to hear about his experiences and enjoys the reaction he typically receives from audiences. "Once they hear my story it hits home," Sergeant Rieman said. Nikhim Gaidhni, an Indian native and participant in the Virtual Army Experience, was an example of someone touched by Sergeant Rieman's experiences in combat. "It was awesome to see such a great man," he said. "It means a lot to me to see that he has done so much for this country. I have a lot of respect for him." Mr. Gaidhni said Sergeants Rieman and Mike are inspirations and it's comforting to know there are people like that serving in the Army.