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Local native honored for work in Iraq

Local native honored for work in Iraq

A Toledo-area native will be honored for his bravery and military service in Iraq at a reception tonight in Washington.

Army Col. David Sutherland, who grew up in Sylvania and graduated from St. John's Jesuit High School in 1979 and from Bowling Green State University in 1983, will receive the first Freedom Award from No Greater Sacrifice.

"I have never seen a leader like [Colonel Sutherland]," said Paul McKellips, a former State Department official who served with the colonel in Iraq.

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Mr. McKellips is co-founder of No Greater Sacrifice and recommended the colonel receive the organization's first award.

"He had the image to me of [General] Patton walking across the battlefield with bombs going off and he was absolutely unintimidated by it. I have never been around a military leader who inspired like he did," Mr. McKellips said.

In December, Colonel Sutherland, 46, returned to the United States after spending 15 months in Iraq, where he was the coalition force commander in Diyala Province, in charge of thousands of American and Iraqi troops.

He was in charge of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

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Diyala was one of the most dangerous areas of Iraq in the past year, according to reports, with deadly Baathist insurgents, Shiite militias, Iranian-backed militants, and extremist Sunni groups linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Mr. McKellips said when American troop levels "surged" in Baghdad, many insurgents went to Diyala Province. "His area was the ground zero of the Iraq War for a long time," Mr. McKellips said.

In September, Colonel Sutherland's right hand was injured in a suicide bomber attack. In the same attack, 24 people were killed.

He received a Purple Heart. His other awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, according to his online military biography.

No Greater Sacrifice, which is hosting tonight's event, is a new organization that aims to help the children of military and law enforcement personnel killed or hurt in the line of duty, according to its Web site.

Colonel Sutherland said he would be accepting the award on behalf of his troops, who are "resilient and courageous."

"They are part of something much bigger than themselves. They are shaping the history of the world, and I am proud to be part of it."

His parents, Nora and Dr. Gerald Sutherland, who live in Springfield Township, will attend the reception.

"We've been pretty pumped up about it for a long time," Dr. Sutherland said yesterday. "We're extremely proud of him, but we're also proud of all the other soldiers that have served over there. They've done a terrific job."

Dr. Sutherland added, "We are humbled by the fact that he is receiving this honor. He has really impacted a little bit of history."

The Sutherlands haven't seen their son since his return in December. "I'm sure that's going to be a joyous reunion," Mr. McKellips said.

Contact Kate Giammarise at:

kgiammarise@theblade.com

or 419-724-6133.

First Published February 13, 2008, 10:50 a.m.

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