Crystal River Primary School students quickly found their seats in the cafeteria as they awaited their fourth- and fifth-grade academic achievers’ ceremony Friday. However, in addition to their certificates they were receiving an extra achievement gift — a message from retired Staff Sgt. Ken Patterson. Patterson, a Lecanto resident, retired from the U.S. Army after serving 13 years in the military. During his service he was stationed in Iraq three times, Afghanistan once and in Korea twice. He began his presentation by congratulating the children on their academic achievements and then asked them: Who said, “I have a dream”? Arms flew in the air and students shouted out in unison, “Martin Luther King Jr.” “Because of that dream, my dreams were able to come true in life,” Patterson said. “Dr. Martin Luther King talked about equality and treating everyone the same. He fought for civil rights and marched up and down roads, doing what he had to do. He talked about it until they started making laws and changing laws. He made sure that we are all on the same playing field and that we can do the same job, no matter what your race is.” He continued explaining to the children that society, including the military, was segregated before King’s speech. He said it was because of King’s continued determination that the United States became integrated. “Fast forward to the year 2000, and I joined the Army,” Patterson said. “I joined as a food specialist. I was a door gunner.” He explained to the children that door gunners fly in a helicopter and help fellow soldiers off of the battlefield, as well as bring them food. “One day I was going to take the bad guys some water,” Patterson told the students. “Don’t ask why I was going to take bad guys water. I haven’t figured that out myself.” “I called timeout, but apparently they didn’t hear it,” he continued. “I got hit with a really, really big bullet while in the helicopter. It’s called RPG (rocket-propelled grenade). They shot the bullet through the back of helicopter and it hit me in the front.” The result: The loss of both of his legs. Patterson said when he awoke, he knew he had two choices — give up or survive. “Guess which one I decided to do?” he asked. “Survive. Why? Because I am an American.” Patterson said when he got back to the United States he kissed the ground as there is nothing like America. “Yea, America,” the kids shouted. He said he thought about everything he did as a child and how happy he was growing up in America. That happiness and motivation are what he wants all children in the United States to have. “Here I am today telling you how great it was for Dr. Martin Luther King to sacrifice his life,” Patterson said. “I didn’t have a problem sacrificing my life so that you guys can go to school, learn and get a good education without being afraid of what we call terrorists or bad guys. I know if I am fighting over there that you guys are here at home enjoying life.” Contact Chronicle reporter Eryn Worthington at 352-563-5660, ext. 1334, or eworthington@chronicleonline.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 14:12:45 +0000
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