As Staff Sgt. Travis Schweger of rural Allen prepares to redeploy this fall to Iraq with the U.S. Army, he wants to ensure his unit — along with other units — have the necessary safety equipment upgrades to stay as safe as possible.
Schweger has been in the Army for 12 years. This will be his second deployment to Iraq. Schweger’s unit patrolled “Route Bug” in the Northern Babil Province of Iraq. During that time Schweger faced what he calls five bad days.
He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge for his actions during that period of time where he and his unit daily faced roadside bombs.
“While reluctant to talk about his five ‘bad days,’ Travis works to assure the next deployment will be safe,” said Kitty Frank, Schweger’s mother in law, who is helping to coordinate the effort to obtain helmet upgrade kits. “He knows the explosions he experienced most likely would have caused traumatic brain injury had he not been wearing his upgraded helmet pads. He worries because his set is showing signs of deterioration from the near misses and daily sweat.”
Before he goes back to Iraq, Schweger is making it his focus to obtain donations for helmet upgrades through the organization “Operation Helmet.” The charitable grassroots organization provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization, based in Montgomery, Texas, was founded in 2004 by Robert Meaders, when his grandson was preparing to deploy and had asked for an upgrade kit.
“A helmet upgrade kit now consists of shock-absorbing pads to replace the ‘GI’ pads,” according to the organization’s Web site. “Troops find the GI pads very hard and uncomfortable to wear for extended patrols and other duties. The pads cause headaches, necessitating removal of the helmet for comfort.”
The new pads are softer and more comfortable for troops to wear for extended periods of time, Schweger said. The upgrade kit costs about $34. Funding has been secured to provide Schweger’s unit, Delta Company, 1st Brigade, 16th Infantry Battalion, of Fort Riley, with the upgrade kits.
“Due to the generosity of donors like actor David Spade who recently donated $100,000, Travis received a big box (recently),” Frank wrote. “At $34 per kit, $2,244 worth of equipment has arrived in our living room to be distributed right away to his company. Sixty-six families with the Delta Company, 1st Brigade, 16th Infantry Battalion, of Fort Riley, know their soldiers have the best equipment for protection against head injuries in the IED environment.”
Now, Schweger and Frank would like to repay the favor and obtain funding for others to receive the helmet upgrade kits. Schweger said the money needs to be sent directly to Operation Helmet. They are hosting a non-event on July 3 to encourage people to donate to Operation Helmet.
“We will not have speakers, not have military personnel in attendance, not have entertainment and not even have food,” a letter from Schweger’s family stated. “The benefit of not attending this event is the heartwarming feeling of knowing you prevented brain injuries. Because of you, a young American has a better chance of living a long, productive life after their military service in this time of war.”
To receive a non-event reservation card, send name and address to schweger83@yahoo.com.
“I just want people to donate,” Schweger said, adding that his wish is for people to donate or if they don’t donate, then to support those who serve in the military.
Donations can be sent to the organization: Dr. Bob Meaders, 74 Greenview St., Montgomery, TX 77356-8456. On the check, it should read that it is for Delta Co, 1-16 Infantry of Fort Riley. Any amount will be accepted, and donations are tax deductible. People also may donate online at www.operation-helmet.org.