SirHR, I will do what I can to plant a few seeds. There are others here (and around) who can add details, state from the perspective of "Hell, I was There!".... and add their own anecdotes as well. I'm ready to be corrected, as well as added-to.
A long, long time ago, in a bulletin-board far, far away
known as The Duty Roster,
there was a small group of people who'd get together and chat about "interesting topics".
Major Joseph Mahon was one of those.
(sidebar here, but Bruce Robinson, Mike M, Pablito, Gooch, JR, TorFinn, Bravo, CDC, Sinister, Lindy, Gary K, Geoff M, et al included)
Major Joe had a number of children, of whom the youngest daughter became ill. To say the least. (Leukemia) Major Joe led the battle in support for her, and 'attack' on the illness. (there's a story)
Major Joe and a group of individuals stateside saw a huge lack of infrastructure support for the front-line trigger-pulling grunts overseas in the sandbox, at the outset. He headlined a private supply line from 'us' directly to 'them' who needed the items. (there's a story)
Major Joe came back stateside, to be with family after a full career advancing in the military. All the sudden he's single, with children. (there's a story)
Major Joe meets "the love of his life" and gets married in a whirlwind romance, to which in a short amount of time she's taken away WAY too soon. (there's a story)
Major Joe gets diagnosed with a Stage III brain tumor (glioblastoma) and leads HIS OWN brigade of doctors on courses of action to be taken. Way outside the 'oncology' norms...(there's a story there)
Major Joe has his tumor to into an unheard-of "remission" and begins to look at life differently, which is shocking to all medical people involved. (just not seen...) (there's a story there)
Just over a week ago, iirc, he was brought back into the hospital. Where he left the hospital today, of Another's plan. He was given ~2 months to live (because of the aggressive cancer) about 5 years ago. He researched his ass off, and led an unorthodox and aggressive treatment process. Including "doubling up" on a few different types of treatment at the same time. He'd had medical staff 'scratching their heads' often, and the what, how, and why he was doing things.
In doing so, he won many battles. But today, he lost the war. Look at how much ground he gained, though. (ground being "MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND QUALITY OF LIFE".)
He never wanted accolades for his assistance to the trigger-pullers 'way back when' but that branch of stories in itself is a tear-jerker one the best, strongest, and toughest of us all.
There.... I planted a few seeds.... you'll all be surprised when this starts to grow. What more could anyone ask for?
[correction: 5 years ago]
Copy/Paste from elsewhere, author Joe Steen:
MAJOR (Ret)
Joseph Mahon passed last night after fighting brain cancer, for the last 5 years.
Joe served in D 2/505 as a TOW Section Sgt 1986 -1887 .
When on to 10th SFG as an Engineer SGT 1988- 1991.
Became an Officer an led a Airborne Combat Engineer Platoon in the 6th INF DIV, Alaska.
Attended flight school as a Captain flying the AH58D.
He was with 18th Corps AV, and then 82nd Avation BDE and Commanded HHT 1/17 CAV (ABN).
As a Major Joe served in several staff positions with 3rd Army and CENTCOM during OEF and OIF. Also during OIF he was the BN XO for 2/5 SFG, I believe around 2006. Joe was Infantry, Combat Engineer, Avation and a Special Force's Officer.
He had the CIB, Master Parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Army Avation Wings (pilot), Ranger Tab and the Special Force's Tab.
He has 4 children and two grandson. This is only the highlights of a long and colorful career. Joe was a heck of a leader that touched many life's during his time. 'Blue Skies and Soft Landing Paratrooper' till Valhalla!
