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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Different types of cancer affects
many people and their families every year. It is a hard fight, and
for two Pennsylvania families this nightmare has become daily life.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Glass, an Operations Section
Construction Supervisor for the 365th Engineer Battalion, 130th Eng.
Brigade, recently found out that one of his relatives has cancer and
that it has metastasized to his neck. In response, Glass declared
that he would shave his head to support his family back home.
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Members of the 365th Engineer Battalion gather at Bagram Air
Field on December 23, 2013 to show off their shaved heads in support of
patients with cancer. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Antonia Pearse,
365th Engineer Battalion Public Affairs Representative)
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“I shaved my head because many cancer patients lose their
hair from the chemotherapy treatments,” explained Glass. “I
told him that if he was found to have a positive cancer
test, I would shave my head in support of him.”
Since
it is hard to find a person nowadays that has not been
affected by cancer in some way, Glass asked a few of his
peers if they would shave their heads with him. What he
never expected, was the number of Soldiers that turned out
to shave their heads alongside him in a show of support.
“I asked a few people to shave their heads with me and
take a photograph to send back to him. Word spread
throughout personnel in the battalion and the list continued
to grow. It was all by word of mouth,” Glass said as a
response to the unexpected turn-out.
Task Force
Rugged Soldiers in other locations, such as Forward
Operating Base Gamberi, decided to shave their heads as well
when they heard the story. They also plan to take a picture
to send to Glass's family.
Glass remarked, “[This]
shows that people really care about a serious situation and
that they have a heart for a good cause. It also shows the
respect that they have for me, and the respect that they
have for the cause.”
While these Soldiers shaved
their heads in support of one family, 1st Sgt. Richard
Davis, Forward Support Company, 365th Eng. Bn., heard
Pennsylvania native Delaney Brown's story and how she is
struggling this Christmas with leukemia.
Davis
sprang into action and assisted in making a short video to
show support for Brown and her family, as well to wish her a
Merry Christmas. Once edited, the video was posted on
Facebook. The attention the video has received on “Team
Laney's” (Brown's) Facebook page is nothing short of
inspiring. As of this news release, the video has been
viewed by over 1,700 people.
Spc. Garrett McGrath, a
Radio COMSEC Repairer, FSC, 365th Eng. Bn., also shaved his
head in support of Glass's family. When asked how he heard
about it, McGrath replied, “During the filming of the video
shout out to Brown, Glass put it out that his relative had
cancer as well.” McGrath also went on to say that he shaved
his head, “As a sign of support for Delaney Brown, Staff
Sgt. Glass's relative and anyone else battling cancer.”
The symbolism behind shaving the heads is to show the
victims and their families that they are not alone in their
fight against this unseen enemy that affects so many.
Cpl. Derek Counterman, a Fueler, FSC, 365th Eng. Bn.,
also shaved his head and explained, “One of my NCOs informed
me about SSG Glass's relative's being diagnosed with cancer
and that the battalion wanted to send a picture of us to
show support. It hit home because I have three family
members with cancer. I shaved my head for them because it is
the least I can do to show them they are not alone in their
battles just as they support all of us here in Afghanistan.”
By U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Antonia Pearse
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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