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Nevada National Guard Staff Sgt. Derek Castro recently received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals for his service in Afghanistan. Castro will be honored in a ceremony at the National Guard on Tuesday.
The U.S. Army considers Carson City's Derek Castro a hero, recently awarding the Nevada National Guardsman the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.
The citation accompanying the medals says: “Staff Sgt. Castro's leadership, personal courage and dedication significantly contributed to the success of his team and the development of the Afghanistan National Police. He continuously exposed himself to danger to protect his fellow soldiers.”
Castro's explanation is more simple.
“The soldier mentality is, ‘I can do it,'” he said. “We don't really think about it, we just act. It's muscle memory for us. When everything else fails, we don't.”
Gov. Jim Gibbons will officially present Castro with the medals during a ceremony at the National Guard on Monday.
Castro, who graduated from Douglas High School in 1997, followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and joined the Army at 17 looking for “action and excitement.” After three years of active duty, he left the Army and joined the National Guard.
“I come from a military family so it was really easy for me to adjust to it,” he said.
At 30, his enthusiasm hasn't waned, despite an injury in Afghanistan earlier this year when his truck was destroyed by an improvised explosive device. He suffers from back, neck and shoulder injuries as well as traumatic brain damage that affects his memory and balance.
“We knew what we were getting into when we went over there,” he said. “I don't regret a day over there. It's the price we pay for doing business.”
Along with his bravery during that attack on Feb. 12 — “(He) exited his vehicle, exposing himself to potential danger, in order to engage the attackers himself and prevent a follow-up attack on his crew and disabled vehicle” — the commendation letter lists two other incidents of valor during his nine-month deployment.
The first was on Jan. 24 when a suicide bomber detonated an explosion in a local bazaar, injuring dozens of civilians.
“Staff Sgt. Castro led a security detail while the wounded were triaged ... (and) assisted special forces in providing lifesaving medical aid,” the letter said.
On April 24, his team was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire.
After the initial attack, the enemy struck with a second round.
“Once the team had established fire superiority, Staff Sgt. Castro led a dismounted team in pursuit of the enemy. (He) led the team from the front, demonstrating great personal courage and dedication to his mission and his men.”
Castro's mission in Afghanistan was a unique one. He was part of the first Nevada National Guard Embedded Training Team.
They were assigned to an Afghan army infantry unit as mentors and combat advisers. Unlike most U.S. forces assigned to the country, the unit lived on Afghan army bases.
He said they were in remote areas of the country, with only one another to rely on.
“Being so far out, it's incredible. You know there's no one coming to help you. It's you and the guys next to you. It's big boy rules,” he said. “When you realize there's only 35 people and that's it, and you're getting reports of Taliban swarming all over the mountainside, the concept of losing does not exist.”
Being embedded with the Afghan army, he said, gave him an appreciation of the people and their culture. And he never doubted their loyalty.
“When these guys go down, you run out and help,” he said. “When we go down, they do the same.”
He does not confuse the citizens with the terrorists.
“I was attacked by however many, but there were whole villages that supported us,” he said. “After I was attacked, there's no grudge against the people because you're so intimately involved with them. You get to see the big picture.”
Although the rest of his unit returned to Nevada in August, he stayed behind in Fort Riley, Kan., for medical aid. He came back to Carson City last month.
He's working full-time for the National Guard's team that travels throughout the West training soldiers who are readying for deployment.
He cannot deploy again until he's recovered. Doctors aren't sure when that will be. But, Castro said, he will be healed when necessary.
“If they put together a team to go next summer, I'd be ready,” he said. “I'd find a way to be ready.”
The citation accompanying the medals says: “Staff Sgt. Castro's leadership, personal courage and dedication significantly contributed to the success of his team and the development of the Afghanistan National Police. He continuously exposed himself to danger to protect his fellow soldiers.”
Castro's explanation is more simple.
“The soldier mentality is, ‘I can do it,'” he said. “We don't really think about it, we just act. It's muscle memory for us. When everything else fails, we don't.”
Gov. Jim Gibbons will officially present Castro with the medals during a ceremony at the National Guard on Monday.
Castro, who graduated from Douglas High School in 1997, followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and joined the Army at 17 looking for “action and excitement.” After three years of active duty, he left the Army and joined the National Guard.
“I come from a military family so it was really easy for me to adjust to it,” he said.
At 30, his enthusiasm hasn't waned, despite an injury in Afghanistan earlier this year when his truck was destroyed by an improvised explosive device. He suffers from back, neck and shoulder injuries as well as traumatic brain damage that affects his memory and balance.
“We knew what we were getting into when we went over there,” he said. “I don't regret a day over there. It's the price we pay for doing business.”
Along with his bravery during that attack on Feb. 12 — “(He) exited his vehicle, exposing himself to potential danger, in order to engage the attackers himself and prevent a follow-up attack on his crew and disabled vehicle” — the commendation letter lists two other incidents of valor during his nine-month deployment.
The first was on Jan. 24 when a suicide bomber detonated an explosion in a local bazaar, injuring dozens of civilians.
“Staff Sgt. Castro led a security detail while the wounded were triaged ... (and) assisted special forces in providing lifesaving medical aid,” the letter said.
On April 24, his team was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire.
After the initial attack, the enemy struck with a second round.
“Once the team had established fire superiority, Staff Sgt. Castro led a dismounted team in pursuit of the enemy. (He) led the team from the front, demonstrating great personal courage and dedication to his mission and his men.”
Castro's mission in Afghanistan was a unique one. He was part of the first Nevada National Guard Embedded Training Team.
They were assigned to an Afghan army infantry unit as mentors and combat advisers. Unlike most U.S. forces assigned to the country, the unit lived on Afghan army bases.
He said they were in remote areas of the country, with only one another to rely on.
“Being so far out, it's incredible. You know there's no one coming to help you. It's you and the guys next to you. It's big boy rules,” he said. “When you realize there's only 35 people and that's it, and you're getting reports of Taliban swarming all over the mountainside, the concept of losing does not exist.”
Being embedded with the Afghan army, he said, gave him an appreciation of the people and their culture. And he never doubted their loyalty.
“When these guys go down, you run out and help,” he said. “When we go down, they do the same.”
He does not confuse the citizens with the terrorists.
“I was attacked by however many, but there were whole villages that supported us,” he said. “After I was attacked, there's no grudge against the people because you're so intimately involved with them. You get to see the big picture.”
Although the rest of his unit returned to Nevada in August, he stayed behind in Fort Riley, Kan., for medical aid. He came back to Carson City last month.
He's working full-time for the National Guard's team that travels throughout the West training soldiers who are readying for deployment.
He cannot deploy again until he's recovered. Doctors aren't sure when that will be. But, Castro said, he will be healed when necessary.
“If they put together a team to go next summer, I'd be ready,” he said. “I'd find a way to be ready.”
Veterans Day Activities
Veterans Day school presentations:
Many local schools will observe the holiday on Tuesday because school is not in session Wednesday. Among the ceremonies planned are: • Fritsch Elementary School, 504 W. Bath St., will be celebrating Veterans Day at 9 a.m. in front of the school at the flagpole. The local Boy Scout troop will raise the flags and lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the Fritsch Elementary choir and guitars will perform. All veterans are welcome to attend. Call Lori at 283-1400 for more information. • Fremont Elementary School, 1511 Firebox Road, is planning a flag-raising at 10 a.m. • Carson Middle School, 1140 W. King St., will have placards staked in front of the school all week. Each placard features the biography of a veteran. Visitors are invited to view the display. • The Carson High School Naval Junior ROTC Unit will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. in Senator Square, 1111 Saliman Road. Veterans from different wars will be recognized and all are invited to attend. Refreshments, compliments of the culinary department, will be served after the ceremony. Call the NJROTC unit at 283-1780 for more information. Free haircuts for vets Adam's Barber Shop, 256 W. Winnie Lane, will offer free haircuts to all veterans on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the final veteran is groomed. “It's just a big thank-you to the vets,” said owner Adam Baker. “I'm pretty dang grateful. I know I wouldn't have my freedom without them.” He said many of his current customers are veterans so it may turn out to be more of a customer appreciation day. Formerly Les' Barber Shop, it has been operating for 43 years. There are five barbers on staff. Call 882-6322 for more information. Veterans Day parade Virginia City will host its annual Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. Wednesday, held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, to commemorate when the Armistice was signed ending World War I. The parade will begin at the Fourth Ward School at the south end of town. Lineup will begin at 10 a.m. Former Dayton Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8660 Commander Stan DeStwolinski, a veteran of the Korean War, will serve as grand marshal. The Dayton Valley VFW is among the most active posts, appearing in many parades and ceremonies and sponsoring essay competitions among school students on what it means to be an American and other subjects. The Dayton Valley VFW represents veterans of wars from World War II to the present Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Kathy Lantz of Reno will sing the National Anthem before the parade begins. Following the parade a free spaghetti dinner will be held at the Storey County Senior Center for veterans and parade participants. Veterans will eat first, at noon, and others will eat at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call the Virginia City Visitors Center at (775) 847-4386. Veterans Memorial rededication The Leadership Carson City Class of 2009 rebuilt the Veterans Memorial at Lone Mountain Cemetery and invites all to be part of the rededication ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Call 882-1565 for more information. Veterans benefit presentation Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit adviser Mark Michael will discuss how veterans and the surviving spouse of a veteran over 65 can receive assistance in living costs. The presentation will be at noon Wednesday at The Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care, 2200 E. Long St. Lunch will be provided. Reservation are required. Call 283-9888. School presentations: Many local schools will observe the holiday on Tuesday because school is not in session Wednesday. Among the ceremonies planned are: Fritsch Elementary School, 504 W. Bath St., will be celebrating Veterans Day at 9 a.m. in front of the school at the flagpole. The local Boy Scout troop will raise the flags and lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the Fritsch Elementary choir and guitars will perform. All veterans are welcome to attend. Call Lori at 283-1400 for more information. Fremont Elementary School, 1511 Firebox Road, is planning a flag-raising ceremony at 10 a.m. Carson Middle School, 1140 W. King St., will have placards staked in front of the school all week. Each placard features the biography of a veteran. Visitors are invited to view the display. The Carson High School Naval Junior ROTC Unit will host their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. in Senator Square, 1111 Saliman Road. Veterans from different wars will be recognized and all are invited to attend. Refreshments, compliments of the culinary department, will be served after the ceremony. Call the NJROTC unit at 283-1780 for more information. |
