Remembering Stephen Paul Hanson

May 31, 2010 in Uncategorized

For years as a child I wore a POW/MIA bracelet with one man's name inscribed on it: Stephen Paul Hanson.

Today, I am remembering him and his sacrifice on this Memorial Day. May he rest in peace.

On my way home from Nebraska on Saturday, I chose a seat in the Atlanta Airport, Gate C51, beside a young soldier. As I approached the gate, I saw him. He was sitting alone. Other soldiers sat in pairs. I specifically chose to sit in the seat next to his, not knowing what I would say to him. Knowing I wanted to say thank you, and at the same time being so conflicted about war, and this one in particular.

We sat quietly for a moment. "I hope you're headed home," I said.

"No, m'am," he said. "I'm headed to Afghanistan."

It would be his first trip there. And he will be there for a year. We talked until his flight was called. I stood up, asked if I could take his photo with me, and shook his hand. "Be safe," I said. "And thank you."

And so, to a soldier named Munoz, godspeed for your journey. Come home safely.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

9 comments to " Remembering Stephen Paul Hanson "


Terry

May 31, 2010 AT 10:24AM

I come from a long line of military men and have seen and felt the impact of my father and later my brother going off to their respective battlefields. Political viewpoints mean nothing when it is our loved ones who pay for the dialog with their lives.
Thank you for reaching out to this young man and I echo the sentiment for his safe return home.

Mahala Mazerov

May 31, 2010 AT 10:35AM

Patti, your post touched my heart very much.

It also brought to mind a name I hadn’t thought of in years, a name that came to me effortlessly. Roscoe Fobair. I wore his POW/MIA bracelet for years. My brother’s POW and those of my parents’ came home during Operation Homecoming. Roscoe did not. It left a hole in my child-heart.

I forgot about that, too, until your post inspired me to google his name. His remains were finally identified in 2001 http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/f/f022.htm

Prayers for Munoz, for all warriors and civilians, for an end to war.

Lila

May 31, 2010 AT 1:38PM

I’m conflicted too, Patti, but now I’m weeping. Thanks for doing what you do and being who you are.

Jean

May 31, 2010 AT 3:58PM

What a marvelous way to really show that you support the men and women in our Armed Forces. Caring isn’t about a ribbon on a car- it is taking a moment to provide companionship to a young man going into the unknown. Thank you for the inspiration.

Marianne

May 31, 2010 AT 8:21PM

Aw shit Patti. You’ve just done me in for the next hour. I’m off to have a cry, and then pray for Munoz because I’ve been where he’s going and I even if he comes home physically unharmed he won’t come home unchanged.

Robyn

May 31, 2010 AT 10:30PM

Thank you for this Patti. My oldest son is joining the military in the fall. And I hope that as he is traveling, he can run across someone like you.

Beth

May 31, 2010 AT 11:32PM

That was a lovely story.

Thank you for sitting with him, acknowledging him, thanking him.

Vickie

June 1, 2010 AT 7:29AM

I don’t believe that being against the war and appreciating the soldiers who are sent to it are mutually exclusive.
I was recently on standby for a flight and a soldier on his way home from Afghanistan, having traveled for 27 hours, signed in on standby behind me. I asked that they put his name ahead of mine; he deserved to be home with his family, regardless of the fact that I don’t agree with the powerful men who caused him to be there.
My dad, a Vietnam vet, has said that the reason he joined the Navy was to fight for others’ rights to disagree with their government.
Your gesture won’t be forgotten. Thanks to you, Patti, for noticing, and thanks to Munoz for your courage. Safe home.

Teri and the cats of Furrydance

June 8, 2010 AT 9:47AM

As with my post about my MIA uncle last Memorial Day, your experience brings a human face to war and loss…

http://terithorsteinson.blogspot.com/2009/05/reflections-this-memorial-day.html