INITIAL SUCCESS OR TOTAL FAILURE

Battle, Death, Faith, and Love
  • INITIAL SUCCESS OR TOTAL FAILURE
    INITIAL SUCCESS OR TOTAL FAILURE
  • Staff Sgt. Simon Wade stands with his wife, Kelly, and their two children after receiving the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for heroism in Fallujah, Iraq. Wade said he often reflects on the letters he wrote before combat, the ones that told them: “If I don’t come home, here’s who I am.” or “The Death Letter”
    Staff Sgt. Simon Wade stands with his wife, Kelly, and their two children after receiving the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for heroism in Fallujah, Iraq. Wade said he often reflects on the letters he wrote before combat, the ones that told them: “If I don’t come home, here’s who I am.” or “The Death Letter”
  • Staff Sgt. Simon “Blaster” Wade stands with Col. Beatty “Lawman” Hancock after receiving the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. After serving together in the Marine Corps, Hancock — an Arizona DPS Officer turned Marine pilot — later authorized Wade to serve as a reserve explosive ordnance disposal technician with Arizona State Police.
    Staff Sgt. Simon “Blaster” Wade stands with Col. Beatty “Lawman” Hancock after receiving the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. After serving together in the Marine Corps, Hancock — an Arizona DPS Officer turned Marine pilot — later authorized Wade to serve as a reserve explosive ordnance disposal technician with Arizona State Police.
    Out near McCaulley, Texas, the road bends through miles of open grassland. The sky takes up half the world, and when the sun sets, it paints in all directions. It’s the kind of country that asks a person to slow down and listen. For retired Marine Corps explosive ordnance technician Chief Warrant Officer Simon Wade, that’s exactly why he came. Here, he works with his hands, tends to his lan...

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