Upon the third anniversary of the involvement of the United States in the Iraq conflict, which was observed Sunday, March 19, there was little to celebrate but much to praise in the spirit and diligence of the men and women serving in the country’s armed forces.
One such man to celebrate is Princeton’s Spc. Ryan S. Tallman, currently serving with the U.S. Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In Tallman is found that which is prized among us — a beloved son, a courageous brother, a caring husband, a loving father. And, a modest hero.
Ryan’s mother Cynthia Tallman takes great pride in her son — a man whose service to his country in the deserts of Iraq has earned him a Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in, or with, the U.S. military.
The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy. The required gallantry must have been performed with marked distinction.
It was the third Thursday in December, another day like all the others before and since when troops were on the move routing out pockets of resistance and supporting fellow soldiers in the day-to-day business of combat.
That was the day when Ryan joined the ranks of a different group of Americans serving in Iraq, more than 17,100 troops that have been wounded.
Spc. Ryan S. Tallman is a Ranger attached to the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y.
Tallman was awarded the military decorations because of the wounds that he received in combat just 10 days before Christmas 2005.
While on a mission, Spc. Tallman’s humvee hit a roadside bomb tossing the vehicle upside down.
While his arm was being pinned down by the humvee, Spc. Tallman engaged the enemy, freed his arm from the humvee and was eventually checked out by medics.
He sustained a broken forearm and minor bumps and bruises.
Cindy Tallman said that she learned of Ryan’s injuries about a month later. “He told me he got a Purple Heart. I knew immediately what that meant. Then, he said he got a Silver Star. That’s all I heard.”
Even though he was wounded, he remained on active duty with his unit in Iraq.
More than half of those wounded in the past three years, over 9,200 have returned to duty within 72 hours.
Spc. Tallman is currently stationed with Delta Company, 1st Battalion of the 87th Infantry regiment for a year’s tour of duty in Iraq.
He is scheduled to return home early June 2006.
Upon his return, Tallman hopes to eventually transfer to the Ft. Campbell military base to be closer to his family, while he pursues a career in the military. He also has his sights set on college.
Ryan is married to the former Stephanie Patterson. The Tallmans are the parents of a daughter Madison, 3, and a son Joshua, 1.
Stephanie and the children reside in Princeton.
Cynthia Tallman moved here with her family from California 17 years ago. She is the mother of four. Two of Ryan’s siblings, sisters Kimberly (now Paul) and Taylor, also reside in Princeton.
Ryan, who is now 22, grew up in Princeton and attended Caldwell County High School.
He joined the military two years ago to better his life. He re-enlisted while serving in Iraq.
Since being assigned to service in Iraq, Ryan returned home briefly this past October to be with his family when his great-grandfather was critically ill. He then returned to his unit.
Military life appears to agree with Ryan said his mother. “He misses his family, but he believes in what he’s doing over there.”
