Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

SFC Mickey E. Zaun Memorial Troop Trail

At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on January 25, 2008, the first two-and-a-half miles of a prominent and heavily-traveled Troop Trail were dedicated to my son, Sergeant First Class Mickey Edward Zaun, for his steadfast commitment to fitness, the Army and the Chemical Corps. Mickey's dedication ceremony was heartfelt and wonderfully orchestrated. A special ceremonial treat was that five of Mickey's Special Forces Brothers In Arms were in attendance.

Mickey was a Chemical Operations Specialist assigned to Headquarters, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment (Airborne), United States Army Joint Special Operations Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Mickey trained extensively for his position at the world-acclaimed United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) School which is located at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The CBRNS Commandant told me that they only accept the top 1% across all Branches of Service, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, and Mickey was "elite of the elite" among the Chemical Operations Specialists. I swell with pride for my son.

At Mickey's dedication ceremony, J.M. Baker, Mickey's drill sergeant when he went through basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, told me that Mickey attacked every task thrown before him with vigor and often asked for more and that he was incapable of being forgotten. Words this mother loved hearing. J.M. Baker authored a book featuring Mickey, "Looking Out from Under the Hat," (Mickey's name was altered to protect his anonymity) and sent me a copy. I must share the inscription he penned, "Robert F. Kennedy said, each time someone stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope" and "Mickey is one of those ripples of hope."

The Guidon, Fort Leonard Wood's authorized newspaper, published a very nice story on Mickey's dedication ceremony Post Troop Trail dedicated.

Mickey's Awards and Decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Commendation Medal (four), The Army Achievement Medal (three), The Good Conduct Medal (three), The National Defense Service Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Korean Defense Service Medal, The Humanitarian Service Medal (Hurricane Fran), The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, The Army Service Ribbon, The Overseas Service Ribbon, The Master Parachutist Badge and The Driver and Mechanic Badge. In addition to these awards and decorations, Mickey received many certificates of training, participation, appreciation and achievement.

On February 3, 2005, Mickey was posthumously Awarded The Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Awarded The Bronze Star Medal (second). In 2006, Mickey was posthumously Inducted into the United States Army Chemical Corps Order of the Dragon Program (OODP). The OODP is designed to maintain and enhance the legacy of the Chemical Corps and to promote cohesiveness and morale in the Chemical Corps Regiment by recognizing individuals who have served the Chemical Corps with distinction. When Inducted, Mickey was Awarded The Honorable Order of the Dragon, which recognizes Dragon Soldiers who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, an outstanding degree of professional competence and have contributed to the promotion of the Chemical Corps in numerous ways over the course of their career.

Mickey was a consummate, anonymous professional who fully lived up to the Special Forces Creed. His gentle charm, unbiased wisdom, strength within, warm heart and genuine kindness will be remembered by all lives he graced. Thank you, Mickey, for sharing your journey with us. We are all better for you having done so.