David Salie American Hero

');     R E L A T E D   C O N T E N T  Photograph courtesy of the family David Salie with his sons, Hunter and Luke, October 2004 at a family day in Fort Benning, Georgia. Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie was killed on Valentine's Day, 2005.  R E L A T E D   L I N K S   •  Memorial fund for Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie  •  Farewell to David Salie, the best of the best  •  A dead soldier's words on Iraq: ` The price is worth it'  •  From a grieving mother in Georgia Friends, family say farewell to an American hero By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY Knight Ridder Newspapers FORT BENNING, Ga. - Family, friends and Army buddies of Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie, a 34-year-old soldier from nearby Columbus, Ga., who was killed on Valentine's Day - his fourth day of duty in Iraq - said a final farewell to him Wednesday. I was with them. Salie was a friend. The old Infantry Post Chapel was filled with mourners. The commander of Fort Benning and the Infantry School, Brig. Gen. Ben Freakley, led the official party from the post and from Salie's unit, Bravo Company, 2/69 Armor, 3rd Infantry Division. Before the funeral, Freakley gave Salie's widow, Deanna, posthumous awards of the Bronze Star, a second award of the Combat Infantry Badge and a Purple Heart that her husband had earned. Salie had previous combat tours in Panama, the Persian Gulf War and Haiti. I met him in 1995 in the town of Mirabalais in Haiti. He was a lanky specialist fourth class in the 25th Infantry Division. I was a reporter with a Special Forces A team that was working with Salie's battalion. We sat talking as we waited for commanders to begin a patrol in the highlands. Salie told me a story. He jumped into Panama with the 82nd Airborne. His company was assigned to cover a street between two intersections that had American checkpoints. A car came through a checkpoint and speeded up. No one got the word that it had been cleared. The whole company opened fire. Salie could see the faces. A couple, rushing their daughter to a hospital to give birth. He yelled for the soldiers to cease fire, but it was too late. It made him think long and hard about continuing to serve. In the end, he decided the right thing to do would be to stay in the Army so he eventually could teach soldiers how to avoid such deadly mistakes. In Iraq, Salie's commander said that when he briefed about a difficult mission, he looked at Salie to see what the platoon sergeant thought. Salie's response was always, "I'm in." In a farewell tape he left for his family to be viewed in case of his death, he told them that the mission in Iraq was one that was left unfinished in 1991, and that the people of Iraq deserved the same freedoms his family had. He said, "The price is worth it, in my heart." At his memorial service, family members and fellow soldiers told stories celebrating the 6-foot-5 Salie's sense of humor, love of his children and love of soldiering. As they talked, the Salies' youngest son, Hunter, age 2, lay on the floor at the end of the front pew, looking up at the flag-covered coffin of his father. Salie also had a daughter, Hailey, 12, by a previous marriage; Deanna's daughter, Chyna, 11, from a previous marriage, whom David Salie adopted; and Luke, 6. Salie's casket was escorted home by his brother, Army Capt. Brian Salie, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, who's serving a combat tour in Iraq as well. After a volley of gun salutes outside the chapel and the mournful sound of taps, an honor guard of sergeants folded the flag. Usually, Freakley presents the flag to the widow or mother. This time he handed that duty to Brian Salie, who carried the flag to Deanna Salie and handed it to her, thanking her on behalf of the president. It was his last and most painful duty to the older brother "who was my hero all my life, and now he is an American hero as well."

Comment(s) »

1. SFC salie was a friend. I served with him in desert storm in Aco 3/505 PIR, and also in Hawaii, Alask, and Fort benning as a blackhat. My sympathies go out tomhis family. He was not only a good man but a great soldier, and I will not only remember him for the guy whose K-POT Some shit in but for the man who gave his life for something most cant even imagine.....

   Comment by jacob johnston— 2005/07/11 @ 10:44 PM — (Reply)

2. Mr. Johnston:
   I am David's wife and want to thank you for your wonderful comments. I am trying to contact men/women that David served with for a project for our children. If you would be willing to hear what I would like, could you please email me..
   Thanks So Much,
   Deedy Salie

   Comment by Deanna Salie— 2006/02/10 @ 06:09 PM — (Reply)

3. Mam, may I say thank you on behalf of my family we owe you and yours a debt that we could never repay. If you would like I would be more than happy to place other items in this entry as a tribute to your husband. I do have one other post that honors him. Thank you again.

   Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/02/10 @ 06:12 PM — (Reply)

4. Could you please email me again, I've lost all your contact information and would love to help you with the page we had discussed. I was having a hard time with so much going on plus the first anniversary of David's death.......I think I'm ready now, if you are.
   Deedy

   Comment by Deedy Salie— 2006/03/28 @ 10:12 AM — (Reply)

5. Yes Iwould like to help any way I can, just email me what you need when you get the time

   Comment by Jacob Johnston— 2006/02/13 @ 12:56 PM — (Reply)

6. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to write back, I've been so busy with three kids, new nephew being born and events in Ga.
   Could you please email me at davidsalie@yahoo.com. I have not way of contacting you other than here.
   Thanks so much,
   Deedy Salie

   Comment by Deedy Salie— 2006/03/28 @ 10:10 AM — (Reply)

7. I just want to say something to Deanna Salie. I just watched the show on Tv about your husband David and I cried with you. My dad was in the service in Canada and so was my x husband and neither one had to serve in a war zone. You must always always cherish the video he has sent your children - that is so special - i am crying now. I am a 50 yr old mother of two girls that are 29 and 19 and i must say - i feel for your pain. My mother used to say god only gives you want you can take - that was before my 19 yr old brother was killed instantly in a car crash in 1973. If you wd like to email a Canadian that cares - my name is terry and i am at terryannelewis@hotmail.com
   
   

   Comment by Terry Lewis— 2005/08/08 @ 12:42 PM — (Reply)

8. To the whole Salie family,
   I am so sorry for your loss. It realy hits home. I have three sons in the military. My oldest son michael is in the army, he was stationed fort Campbell KY. He did a tour in Iraq,He came home safe, and now lives in MD.with his wife and daughter. My son Steven is in the Navy, and is in Japan.My son Richard is in the marines and left for Iraq on 8/06/05. this is his second tour. I fear for each of them. and I have to keep reminding myself why they choose to go.I am so very proud of my sons, and I back them 100%,but the mom thing. Im so very sorry for your loss, not only as a mother but as an american. may god be with you and keep the rest of your family safe.
   Wendy Hensley

   Comment by Wendy Hensley— 2005/08/09 @ 07:59 PM — (Reply)

9. The Big Muldoon was and still is the man when he died i put in my journal death of a legend he was the father all of us ever wanted in 2nd platoon b/269 ar

   Comment by David Pisanelli— 2005/08/14 @ 09:44 AM — (Reply)

10. a Year Gone By Still Miss You Big Guy!!!!!!!!

    Comment by David Pisanelli— 2007/03/10 @ 02:49 PM — (Reply)

11. Hello,
    
    I would like to say I am sorry for your loss for SFC Salie. Reading the commentaries, though I have never served with SFC Salie, I believe he is an out standing soldier and warrior to say the least.
    
    I am writting to ask about SFC Salie. I used to be an Explorer Scout advisor in Columbus with the Army National Guard on Victory Drive where I had a David and Brain Salie as explorer scouts, I was wondering if SFC Salie and his brother are the same 2 Salie's I had the priviledge of knowing then.
    
    If you would, please let me know. It would mean a lot to me to know for sure. Some of the photo's on the net really look like the David Salie I knew back in the late 80's.
    
    But regardless, I can imagine SFC Salie being a professional soldier, leader, and warrior everyday he woke up. I am sure he is looking down and watching over everyone in the same manner as he would if he were still in body.
    
    Respectfully,
    Robert Whorton
    
    

    Comment by Robert Whorton— 2007/06/04 @ 10:06 PM — (Reply)

12. I'm not sure. You could try to get a hold of Deedy.

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2007/06/05 @ 06:06 AM — (Reply)

13. Thanks for response, I will try and contact her. Thanks again
    
    Take Care,
    Robert

    Comment by robert whorton— 2007/06/10 @ 12:09 AM — (Reply)

14. David is in fact the David Salie you knew. You can contact me at anytime you would like. My email is davidsalie@yahoo.com
    Deedy Salie

    Comment by Deedy Salie— 2007/06/11 @ 10:15 PM — (Reply)

15. deedy send me some pics I'm still willing to help you with the web site.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2007/06/12 @ 12:56 AM — (Reply)

16. Deedy,
    
    I met David's brother Brian this past week and after hearing about David I sought him out via GOOGLE & the Internet. He is an American Hero and I would have enjoyed meeting him and spending time with him.
    
    I extend my condolences to you and your children. May they grow up knowing what a TREMENDOUS person he was.
    
    If I can ever be of service to you or your family all you have to do is email me.
    
    v/r
    
    MAJOR Robert Tonkin, USA
    4BDE, 75th DIV (TS)
    2BCTG, 2 Branch
    Birmingham, AL
    
    WORK:205-444-5196

    Comment by MAJOR Robert Tonkin— 2007/12/07 @ 09:33 AM — (Reply)

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[ Top level ] #1: jacob johnston on 2005/07/12 01:44 AM#2: Terry Lewis on 2005/08/08 03:42 PM#3: Wendy Hensley on 2005/08/09 10:59 PM#4: David Pisanelli on 2005/08/14 12:44 PM   #5: Deanna Salie on 2006/02/10 09:09 PM      #6: Elmers Brother on 2006/02/10 09:12 PM      #7: Jacob Johnston on 2006/02/13 03:56 PM         #8: Deedy Salie on 2006/03/28 01:10 PM         #9: Deedy Salie on 2006/03/28 01:12 PM   #10: David Pisanelli on 2007/03/10 05:49 PM#11: Robert Whorton on 2007/06/05 01:06 AM#12: Elmers Brother on 2007/06/05 09:06 AM   #13: robert whorton on 2007/06/10 03:09 AM      #14: Deedy Salie on 2007/06/12 01:15 AM#15: elmers brother on 2007/06/12 03:56 AM   #16: MAJOR Robert Tonkin on 2007/12/07 12:33 PM — reply to this comment.

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