10th Mt Division Colonels Killed in Afghanistan
When soldiers reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel they have likely spent some 20 years of their professional life committed to the service. They are leaders and administrators. They are giving orders more than they are taking them. They are officers who appear to be past the point where their lives would be in jeopardy in the theatre of war. That appearance is deceptive. Just ask the families of Lt. Colonel Paul Bartz and Lt. Colonel Thomas Belkofer.
The Colonels were killed Tuesday as they drove in a convoy in Kabul, Afghanistan. A suicide bomber put together an improvised explosive device and set it off as he pulled next to the convoy. The explosion killed five American soldiers. Bartz and Belkofer were in Kabul setting the groundwork for the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters taking over command later this year.
These decorated Lieutenant Colonels arrived at Fort Drum last summer. They were part of Major General James Terry's administrative team. Bartz was in charge of personnel. Belkofer was in charge of money and accounting. Those are not positions where an officer appears to be in danger. Their families in Wisconsin and Ohio know differently.
We have not yet heard directly from the general about the loss of his soldiers, but after spending some time with him in December I have a good idea how he would view their deaths. He surely is taking it very personally and emotionally. He also will tell us how these men were performing critical tasks and they were right where they wanted to be serving their nation. He would stress the dangers that are understood by all who put on a uniform.
No one life is more important than another, yet the deaths of two high ranking officers does help us understand the uncertainty of the warfare our members of the service face in Afghanistan. War with the Taliban is unpredictable. Just ask the grieving wives and children of Lt. Col. Bartz and Lt. Col. Belkofer.
Any questions or comment please forward them to mattsmemo@CNYcentral.com. I may even use some of your thoughts on Action News at 5:00, the 10:00 News on CW6 or on CNYcentral.com.
The opinions expressed in this blog are the sole responsibility of the author and are not reflective of the views or opinions of Barrington Broadcasting, WSTM-NBC3, its management or employees.
