Citizen Crow

It is bulky, cumbersome, difficult to explain, and an eyesore. It took up more shipping space than any other item in any of the connexes. It was dusty, cracked, worn, loved, and hated by all. However, The Crow characterizes the collective experiences of the soldiers of the 172nd Transportation Company in Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Like each of his fellow soldiers, he chose to leave behind the safety and security of the United States to do his part in something that was bigger than himself. He quickly found out why it was so vitally important for him to serve. It wasn’t for country, honor, duty or any of the motivating themes drilled into him at bootcamp. He learned that he served for the soldier standing next to him, his co-driver, his gunner, ultimately he served because each of those were his friend, his comrade; and he could not let them down.

The Crow is the soldier that performed in the face of all adversity. He is the mechanic that worked 18 hour days in blistering heat. He is the 88M that slept under his trailer more than in his tent. He is the reservist truck driver that volunteered to be a gunner because it was what had to be done. He is the citizen soldier turned Warrior. Humanitarian. Veteran.

The Crow, like the rest of the soldiers of the 172nd Transportation Company were dusty, cracked and worn by the end of their tours. Loved and hated by those we were sent to liberate. I will be forever honored to have served with such a steadfast mascot, but most importantly what he represented – the best America has to offer. My friends. My comrades.

SSG Robert M. Cohee

Asst. Truckmaster, Operation Iraqi Freedom 172nd Transportation Company 1997 - 2005