Honoring our veterans: Garrett Hoyt, United States Marine Corps

Just as baby boomers have vivid recall of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of JFK, and death of Princess Diana, so Garrett Hoyt remembers exactly where he was and what he was doing when he heard the devastating news of 9/11.

These types of recollections have a scientific term: Flashbulb memories. The moniker suggests surprise, indiscriminate illumination, detail and brevity of a photograph; however, flashbulb memories are only somewhat indiscriminate and are far from complete. Research reveals these recollections have six characteristics featuring place, ongoing activity, informant, own effect, other effect, and aftermath.

Garrett was an eighth-grader in Mrs. Funderburk’s class when students were informed of the attack on the Twin Towers.

“I remember thinking at that very moment, some day I’m gonna do something about this,” recalled Garrett.

He was the younger brother of Matthew, siblings born to John and Sandy Hoyt in Highland. Born Jan. 28, 1988, Garrett was active in many athletics and actively engaged in ice hockey. Once, while running a relay race at school which necessitated him jumping on a balloon on a wooden stage, he tripped and ran a long nail through his upper lip, requiring several stitches.

His parents were sticklers for their sons learning to make right decisions.

“My dad, who was and always will be my best friend, taught us, ‘if you have to think about something, it probably isn’t right.’ Both of my parents have always been loving and involved,” Garrett said.

After having graduated in 2006, Garrett’s folks wanted him to at least give college a shot, so he attended Rend Lake College for one year. But when back home for Christmas break, he discussed his disappointment and his dad gave his approval for him to join the military.

At the Alton Recruitment Center for the United States Marine Corps, before the recruiting officer could inform Garrett of the bonus afforded those heading to the front lines, Garrett announced he wanted to be in infantry. He refused the bonus and eagerly signed up to do “the hardest and best job I could, remembering 9/11.”

Off to Camp Pendleton he went for 12 weeks of intensive training and preparation. After a week’s leave, he was assigned to 0341 School of Infantry Mortarmen Inside Fleet and part of 35 Forward Observer. Garrett is very honored to have had this assignment inasmuch Unit 35 was the most decorated fleet in the USMC.

Garrett and Kattie meet, a child comes calling

Garrett and his unit worked with the military from the countries of Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Korea and Australia. After nine months, he returned home on leave. Met at Lambert Airport by the young lady he had been dating, Katie Kidd, Channel 4 News captured the moment Garrett got down on one knee and popped the question.

Kattie and Garrett had been friends for years and she was a regular at the Hoyt home whether Garrett was local or deployed.

“I was attracted to her stubbornness and how she interacted with my family,” said Garrett.

They tied the knot Oct. 9, 2009. Then Garrett was sent back to Korea to prepare for their upcoming trek to Afghanistan.

While in Korea, Garrett received a message to call home. He did and said Katie sounded weird. Making inquiry as to what was going on, she delivered the news she was expecting their first child.

Garrett said he was “excited, scared and nervous at the awesome news.”

Fatherhood beckons Garrett while in Afghanistan

Arriving in Sangin Valley, Afghanistan, Garrett was in the most northern unit and acknowledged it was a difficult time inasmuch communication with loved ones and the outside world was extremely limited. Then one day while lying on a rock, Platoon Sgt. Ayers came by, kicked his foot, and informed him he needed to call the American Red Cross. The phone call revealed he was the father of newborn son, Kyson.

Not as if Garrett already had a desire to survive the war, but that wish was now intensified: He had become a father. The Leathernecks base was divided into four companies: Battalion Weapons, India, Kilo and Lima. Garrett was in Kilo Co. His outfit took over for the British military who informed them, “things here are pretty bad.”

“It wasn’t long before we knew we had our hands full,” said Garrett. “We were working on a bridge and then it happened, Cpl. Sparks became our first casualty. This is when you are faced with the reality, this is really real.

“We were then radioed by radar more was headed our way. They made IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) out of anything they could get their hands on, including marbles, screws, nuts and even bottles. We’d make certain we cut holes in our plastic bottles before discarding them.”

Garrett said his unit, 3/5 Dark Horse, had more casualties from an outfit on deployment since the Vietnam War with 25 killed in action and 100 wounded. They often had no running water, slept in hooches and had to be satisfied with a diet of ready-to-eat meals.

Route 151 was the road used by the Taliban who came from Pakistan to recruit more warriors. Garrett and his fellow soldiers made it part of their mission to befriend the villagers and win over their hearts and minds. They even improved Route 151 to make it easier for the farmers to bring in their crops.

Holidays were especially difficult because the Taliban knew American soldiers celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas and could possibly be distracted by thoughts of family and home and would often attempt to take advantage with unexpected attacks.

Garrett back in the friendly confines of Highland

Garrett was there from September 2010 through April 2011. When he returned to Highland, he said “coming home to a town like Highland was unbelievable. We have a strong military town that knows how to show appreciation for its veterans.”

Reunited with Kattie and introduced to his baby boy, they purchased their first home as a family in Highland. They have added two children to their clan, son, Koben, and daughter, Quinn. He has nine Jimmy John’s franchises in the region and coaches youth football with buddy Tim Warnecke.

Garrett recalls with humility the honor he experienced when Highland High School coach Joel Hawkins invited him to be a guest of honor and share his military missions with students.

Every year Garrett gathers with individuals from his unit to remember the comrades who did not get to return home. During this event the guys carry over their shoulder a heavy log inscribed with the names of the fallen soldiers. When asked if the log gets heavy, Garrett responded, “they’re not heavy; they’re my brothers.”