Where Heroes Come From

Dedicated to Joseph Theinert and all our fallen sons and daughters. The photo above is the body of 1st Lt. Joe Theinert coming home to Shelter Island.

WHERE HEROES COME FROM
by Sally Flynn written May 20th, 2011


I don’t know where heroes go.
But I do know where they come from.

They come from the Southwest with tolerance from working in hot desert suns.

They come from the Northwest with strong arms from the redwood forests.

They come from the Great Plains where they inhale freedom with every breath.

They come from Mid-western farms with strong backs and clear minds.

They come from Texas with attitude.

They come from the sweltering South with stubborn determination.

They come from mid-Atlantic seaboard with senses sharpened by the sea.

They come from New England with patriotism and ingenuity.

And sometimes they even come from small islands, not even recorded on most maps. They come with common sense, straight forward morality and an understanding of community loyalty, so much so, that, like our Joe, they’d forfeit their lives for the greater good.

No, I don’t know where heroes go.
But I do know where they come from.



Shelter Island’s Lt. Joe Theinert was killed in combat last June 2, 2010 in Afghanistan after warning away others from the bomb that took him.

This weekend (May 21), at least forty members of the “Banshee Troop”, 10th Mountain Division, First Brigade, 71st Calvary Battalion, First Squadron, have come to be guests on the Island and celebrate the life of Joe Theinert, and all our heroes and vets.

We’ve rolled out the red carpet from one ferry to the other and lined the path with flags. They have a full schedule of events and free lunch everywhere. Joe’s mom, Chrystyna Kestler, has been an amazing event planner by coordinating every one of a million details. Last year, we were all so sad at the loss of an Island son. This year, we can meet some of the men he died for and thank them for their service. It will be a visit full of laughter, tears, and most importantly to his mom, healing for everyone.

For those of us from the WWII and Korean generations, it will be a familiar sight to see troops welcomed with all the pomp and circumstance. For those of us from the Viet Nam generation, it’s the way we should have welcomed our soldiers home and wish now that we did. For this generation, it underscores the sacrifice made since ours is now an all volunteer Army. For the future generation, the kids will see the importance of acknowledging those who defend our country.

Have a wonderful time Banshee Troop, any friend of Joe’s is a friend of ours. God bless all our you.