Canton Middle School Honors Veterans, Those Who Serve

Canton Middle School continued its tradition of honoring veterans during a special ceremony Monday morning. 

The school hosted several veterans that morning as students read their stories, listened to guest speakers and presented several World War II veterans with the trademark wooden flags, made by students and teacher Cheryl Adams. 

A flag was also presented to Ray Reich, who shared the stories of two veterans, one of which was his son Stephen. (See remarks at end).

U.S. Army Major Stephen Reich was one of 16 killed on June 28, 2005 when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in the mountains of Afghanistan during a mission to rescue four Navy Seals.  

The Reich family also has a strong connection to Canton. When the younger Reich toured West Point, he met Drew Bartkiewicz, now of Canton.  

Bartkiewicz had also graduated from Shepaug Valley High School, where Stephen Reich had excelled in baseball. 

At CMS, Mr. Reich also donated a copy of Lone Survivor, an account of his son's mission so students could read more about it. 

Canton Middle School also announced that it had raised approximately $2,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Under the leadership of Cheryl Adams and supported by the student council, students sold hand-painted “antique” American flag heart pins. Students also hosted a dance and directed proceeds to the effort.  

Student Council president Lindsay Vacca said it's great to help veterans who come back and need support, whether it be for physical or emotional well being.  

These people deserve our help," she said. "They served our country strongly and proudly." 


Ray Reich's Remarks: 

Every veteran, these included, has a story to tell. Today, I have two short stories to tell you  — one about my son,  who died in combat in Afghanistan eight years, four months and fourteen days ago. 

And a story of the American hero, General Tommy Franks, who sent my Stephen, an Army Special Operations Major, to Afghanistan among the first Americans to find Osama Bin Laden very soon after 9/11.  Stephen flew Chinooks for the 160th Aviation Regiment, called the NIGHT STALKERS whose job was to insert and extract our guys anywhere in the world AT NIGHT. This is how he got to Afghanistan.

Stephen played high school soccer, basketball and baseball for Shepaug high school.  This was in the spring of 1987,  when we had to beat Canton in an early round of the state tournament. We squeaked by Canton with a late inning rally, started by our shortstop, who laid down a nice drag bunt. His name – Brett Bartkiewicz, Dane’s uncle.  Stephen was named to the baseball all-state team his final two years of high school, before heading to the United States Military Academy at West Point. This college choice was influenced by a tour we took at West Point, a private tour led by a senior there – Drew Bartkiewicz, Dane’s dad.

Stephen was four-year starting pitcher, graduating in 1993. At flight school, he trained to pilot Blackhawks and Chinooks.   Stephen served in many countries and saw much of the world. As you can tell, he enjoyed outdoor adventures.

As one of the first soldiers in Afghanistan, he tried to dress to blend in with the Afghans. This is

the base he flew from on June 28, 2005 to rescue a team of four SEALs.  His Chinook was shot down, with all sixteen Night Stalkers and SEALs perishing. 

This is a list of some of the many nationwide recognitions and memorials to a small town boy

who is well respected and well remembered.

Each Memorial Day (in May) in Washington, we have two ceremonies remembering Stephen. We honor a high school senior who reminds us of Stephen’s CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, ACHIEVEMENT and SERVICE. Two years ago, Mr. Bartkiewicz,  the student who first showed us West Point twenty-three years ago was our guest speaker.

Now for the second soldier story – a now-retired four-star general  who led our nation to Iraq and Afghanistan.  His story is here, in his autobiography AMERICAN  SOLDIER. He never met Stephen, but he sent Stephen on the first of four tours to Afghanistan.  I am giving this copy to your school library.

Some of you might wish to read this veteran’s story. It ties together the proud military careers of two dedicated American soldiers. I knew one of them very well.  Thank you for listening to Stephen’s story.