Published: August 07, 2008 04:38 pm         

Hannah’s “Army Angels” inspire deployed soldiers

When the Tennessee Army National Guard's Detachment 1, Company C, 2-104 Aviation Company, nicknamed "Southern Comfort," deployed to Kosovo last year they had no idea that an eight-year-old East Tennessee girl would come to be one of their greatest inspirations.

Thousands of miles away in the small town of Lenoir City, TN, Hannah Lawson’s dog, Frenchie, began pawing at her pillow at about 4 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 12, 2008. Was Hannah moaning in her sleep and Frenchie simply concerned? Or did Frenchie somehow sense that something was horribly wrong with Hannah? Only God knows the answer to that question. But ultimately this act led to Hannah’s parents becoming aware of Hannah’s condition.

On the way to the emergency room Hannah was unresponsive and began having seizures. Doctors would later say that if Hannah had remained in bed she could have aspirated in her own vomit. Hannah was diagnosed with an anaplastic ependymoma, a stage 3 malignant brain tumor. She was only seven years old.

After successful surgery to remove the tumor, Hannah had a lot to think about and a lot to give thanks for. After much thought and many prayers she knew she wanted to "give something back" and decided to start a support group for deployed soldiers and their families here at home. She called it "Army Angels" and it eventually came to encompass the children of Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Through Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Creech, a Blackhawk MEDIVAC helicopter pilot, and Staff Sergeant Brian Colberson, the National Guard unit in Kosovo learned of Hannah’s story which Creech said "was a motivation and inspiration to us all." The soldiers quickly decided to adopt her as their pen-pal.

Soon they were sending her e-mails on a regular basis. CW4 Creech bought her a teddy bear in Kosovo, named him “So-Co," short for Southern Comfort, and began sending her photos of the soon-to-be well-traveled mascot as he accompanied the unit on missions throughout the Balkans.

Creech even sent Hannah a flight suit in her size adorned, “Southern Comfort.”

For Hannah, what began as a simple prayer list for the U.S. military grew into a club that has already mailed boxes and boxes of items for soldiers to distribute to children in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. The boxes are filled with things Hannah thinks the children might need, from school supplies to jump ropes.

The helicopter unit returned home on July 10, and were reunited with their families and friends.

But Hannah Lawson, now eight years old, was not forgotten.

On Saturday, July 19, just nine days after returning to Tennessee, a group of soldiers representing the Southern Comfort unit flew to McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville to finally meet face-to-face with their little unseen friend who had come to mean so much to them while they were deployed.

It was a special moment when CW4 Creech, CW3 Kevin Hill, CW2 Timothy Belcher, and Sgt. Marshall Dutton exited the UH60 Blackhawk and walked towards a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered to welcome them home, show their support and observe the soldiers finally meeting their “Angel.”

As they left the Blackhawk and started the long walk down the tarmac to the hanger, a tiny blond figure in a flight suit and camouflage “boonie” hat bolted from the crowd and raced to meet the soldiers.

Chief Creech dropped to one knee to absorb the shock of the blond thunderbolt headed his way. Hannah gave him a great big hug and then at last got the chance to hold her world-traveler, "So-Co." Each of the soldiers gave her a huge hug and then they walked together back to the hanger to the sound of cheers.

It was a particularly emotional moment for Hannah and members of the unit.

This courageous little girl who, throughout her difficult ordeal thought about others more than herself, finally got to welcome home "her soldiers."

In speaking to the crowd, CW4 Creech said, "Hannah is a real inspiration to us all. People say that it's always better to see the world through a smile. I wish we could all see it through Hannah's smile. She's always looking for the positive and looking to help others."

CW3 Hill added, "Your mom said we were a distraction for you during your treatment, but you were the same for us," Hill said. "While we were doing our job, you put a lot into perspective for us. You made us realize that our problems were small compared to what you were going through."

The eventful day drew to a close for Hannah after touring the helicopter and sitting in the pilot’s seat with CW4 Creech, but despite the summer heat, the excitement, and the reporter’s questions, one thing never changed … Hannah’s wonderful smile.

Read Hannah’s amazing story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahlawson.

Go to www.hawkdriver.com/kosovo for more about Hannah and “So-Co”.