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CCISD Grad returns from action in Iraq with Bronze Star
PUBLISHER'S VIEW
By John Ennis (Published 5/04)
Like many with a relative, friend or neighbor serving in Iraq, I often hold my breath while watching CNN when the names of our brave troops killed in action scroll across the news ticker at the bottom of the screen. Although the news of any American casualty is tragic, there is a specific name and hometown each of us hopes not to see.
For me, that name belongs to a true officer and a gentleman, Jared Hoffman.
Captain Hoffman, 27, is a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer who just stepped back on American soil and returned to the Clear Lake area for the first time after more than a year spent participating in Operation Iraq Freedom with the 82nd Airborne's Task Force All American.
During his deployment, Hoffman was awarded the Bronze Star for his service and actions while stationed within the Suni Triangle in the Al Anbar province near Al Fallujah – currently the most dangerous spot in the country. Prior to a year rotation in Iraq, Hoffman spent six months obtaining valuable intelligence from detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
But Hoffman, who graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1995 before heading off for a Louisiana State University (LSU) degree and military career, prefers to divert all credit and praise offered his way to the troops he led and the others still in harm's way.
"The men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are doing a great job. As an officer in charge of 18- and 19-year olds, I look at these kids as national treasures," Hoffman explained. "This is dangerous work, and it is a great sacrifice to be away from your family for such a long rotation, but it has to be done."
According to Hoffman, insurgent attacks "outside the wire" were common, but progress is being made.
"When you left the FOB (Forward Operations Base), you knew you were probably going to be attacked. You expected contact. It kept your head in the game," Hoffman explained. "But a lot of good is being done and the situation as a whole is improving."
One example Hoffman cited is the schools that are being rebuilt by coalition forces including the Alsukkor School for boys in Al Habbanyah, which Hoffman and his unit adopted.
"The key was to teach the children about freedom and that American's aren't bad," Hoffman, whose mother is a teacher at Clear Creek Independent School District's Clearview High School, explained. "We were able to rebuild the school and help the children, even during dangerous times. You should have seen the faces of the children, teachers and local leaders. It became a community effort and everyone got involved caring for the school and keep it clean. We are making progress in Iraq."
After a quick stop in Clear Lake to visit friends and family, Hoffman is now back at his home base in Louisiana preparing to take an advanced military intelligence course. Because of his unique skills and experience, Hoffman expects to return to Iraq.
It seems ironic: Years ago I used to babysit Hoffman, and now he is looking out for all of us and doing his best to spread freedom and democracy.
I could not be more proud.
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They paid the Ultimate Sacrifice
While I'm happy to share the good news on the opposite page that Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) product Capt. Jared Hoffman recently returned from Iraq with a Bronze Star, it seems appropriate to recognize the two CCISD alumni who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq since the war began.
I remember watching CNN last December as "Ray Joseph Hutchinson, League City, TX" scrolled across the news ticker at the bottom of the screen.
We would later learn that Pfc. Ray Joseph Hutchinson of the 101st Airborne Division was returning from a security patrol when an explosive device hit his vehicle, making him the second CCISD graduate to die in Iraq. Hutchinson, called "Hutch" by is platoon mates, was a member of both the Clear Creek High School newspaper and band before graduating in 2001.
Marine Staff Sgt. Philip Jordan, 42, was killed in March of 2003.
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