Memorial Program

“Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
– John 15:13
1ST LT. DEREK S. HINES
July 9, 1980 – September 1, 2005
The family of Derek Hines would like to express
their deepest appreciation for the kindness shown them
during this very difficult time. The place Derek holds
in our hearts will be honored and cherished. We will fill it
with his memories, water it with our tears and nurture
it with our never ending love.
Rest in peace our beloved Derek, you will always be
the wind beneath our wings.
www.derekhines.org
Reflections of a Hero
“He stands in that unbroken line of patriots who have dared
to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its
blessings. Freedom lives and through it he lives—in a way
that humbles the undertakings of most men.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
We gather to honor, reflect and support each other.
From Ashley…
We stand together — for you, by you, because of you.
We love you
Derek Steven Hines
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Friday, September 9, 2005
Derek is perfect. He set such high standards for us. We all aim
to achieve it. Now, as I sit here trying to think of memories of
Derek, they are all caring or funny gestures.
From his soft touch on our cousins’ faces, to his thoughtful
cards on Valentines Day. He also loved having a good
time....whether it was making fun of my excessive use of "Like",
or buying mittens for me every Christmas.
He was modest, selfless, and my hero. I am
so proud of his accomplishments and love
him with all my heart.
You're the Best,
Love, Ash
From Michael…
Even though you are gone, I will always remember the things
you taught me...you showed me. I will live the rest of my life
knowing that you will provide me with some of the strength
and courage you never had the time to use.
Love, Mike
The Hines Family
Michael, Ashley, Trevor, Derek
Sue & Steve
2
7
“Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
(a favorite quote of Derek’s)
From Trevor…
CELEBRATION
You are and always will be my hero,
my brother, and will always be in
my heart.
Celebrant
Fr. Mark Piché
Eulogy
Steven Hines
First Reading
Pam Pappalardo
Second Reading
Rob Ouellette
Offering of Gifts
Derek’s cousins
Reflection from
Family & Friends
Ed Hill
Michael Hines
CPT. Tim Murphy
Music
Soloist: Donna Postle
Accompanied by St. John’s Prep Choir
Love, Trev
6
LIFE
Immaculate Conception Church, 10:30 a.m.
Although you are gone, I will always remember what you meant
to me. In every aspect of my life, I will try to be just like you,
whether it is playing hockey, or following the example you set
for me.
I remember you and everything that you did in your life.
I hope to accomplish as much as you have, but realize it will
be difficult.
OF
3
A letter from Derek Hines
Submitted to the Newburyport Daily News and published on July 4, 2005
B
attle Company is aiding in the construction of government headquarters,
police stations, schools and medical clinics throughout three districts of
Afghanistan. But our job is not solely to offer humanitarian support. The
fact remains, this is a war — groups of men are fighting each other on a daily
basis. In our three districts alone, we have engaged the Taliban over 20 times in
three months. The enemy's primary weapons are AK-47 assault rifles and Rocket
Propelled Grenades (RPGs). A standard mission for the men of Battle Company
consists of moving by helicopter into a village. The village is believed to be harboring the Taliban, according to intelligence reports. Once inserted, we walk
upwards of 20 to 30 miles in the course of a week with 50 to 70 pounds on our
back in the form of body armor and a backpack. The patrol leader and his interpreter move into the village and find the "mullah," usually the oldest and wisest
male. At this point, a systematic search of the compounds that make up the village begins. About two hours into the patrol, the interpreter's walkie-talkie starts
making noises. It is the Taliban. We are hunting them, and they are hunting us. It
is a game of cat and mouse. The interpreter tells the patrol leader what the
Taliban is saying. They are beginning to prepare their attack. As the signal gets
better reception, we know they are getting closer. Every word said over the
radios the "terp" is telling us. The patrol starts to gear up, knowing it may have to
fight the mysterious enemy. We search the high ground looking for suspicious
activity in the rocks. The enemy is smart in this regard. They use the high ground
to their advantage. To try to reduce this advantage, Battle Company walks it.
Most mountains in Afghanistan range from 8,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation. At
the end of the day, we either get into a gunfight or wait until the next day when
the walkie-talkie chatter is heard again.
and Kabul, they will. Coalition forces are working with the Afghan National
Police (ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA). Both are in the early stages of
development, but every day show improvement. The men who join receive no
formal training. They are recruited, travel to the district they will work in, given
weapons and asked to secure the people. They range in age from 13 to 50. You
may think 13 is young for a police officer, but these brave boys are sometimes
the sole providers for their families — the only hope their families have to survive. When we arrived, the number of police officers was dwindling because the
government hadn't paid them in six months. Those men who stayed on to serve
despite the hardship will be why Afghanistan's government makes it. The best
missions Battle Company has conducted have been joint patrols with them leading the way. They live with the people and know who the bad guys are in the
local villages. Battle Company would have no idea who the enemy is if not for
them. The war would not be won without the brave ANP and ANA because the
Afghan people listen to them a lot more than they listen to us. The U.S. will not
win this war without the cooperation of every village because we cannot recognize the enemy unless he is shooting at us. To prepare for the elections, Battle
Company scheduled Surrahs (town hall meetings) with elders of each of the three
districts on Fridays, which is their Sabbath. In these meetings run by Army lieutenants and captains, groups of men attempt to solve district issues such as
hunger, drought and security. I've found that Afghans are looking for guidance,
and they want strong leadership. The elders listened to me talk about simple concepts like security, cooperation and leadership.
Working toward elections
The enemy in Afghanistan uses intimidation and weapons to influence the local
populace. They are professionally trained fighters educated at madrasses, or religious schools, in Pakistan, where they are taught that coalition forces are in
Afghanistan to destroy Islam. They have absolutely no connection to the people
of Afghanistan. They spend the day walking the mountains, then move to the villages in the evening to terrorize the people. One of the most pivotal events in
our one-year deployment will be the provincial elections. The responsibilities of
Battle Company include securing the election sites and workers. The United
Nations teams are taking responsibility for the actual elections. If the elections are
a success, it will move the Afghan government and the country closer to sustaining itself without Coalition troops and assistance. The Afghan government is
allowing women to vote, but in our three districts, which are very traditional, the
elders have stated women will not vote. In more developed areas like Kandahar
The reason for writing
I wanted to write this article to tell America of the war in Afghanistan. The press
has slowly made people think this is a humanitarian assistance mission. This is
false. Coalition forces are on the fast track to rebuilding this country, but there is
fighting, too. The men who surround me are America's heroes. They are between
the ages of 18 and 21. Most of them are just back from one year in Iraq and are
making the ultimate sacrifice for another year. Day in and day out, they amaze
me with their perseverance and determination. Their mission: secure three of the
most contentious areas in the country, Arghandab, Deh Chopan and Khak
Afghan. In the past four months, these brave men have successfully met every
challenge presented them. There are no days off. Recently, the fighting has been
as intense as it was when Special Forces Units and the Rangers initially came in
to defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaida in the Tora Bora mountains. In four major
engagements with the enemy, we have destroyed 15, 16, 40 and 80 Taliban fighters without the loss of a single American soldier. These soldiers make every day I
am out here worth the trip. As a young officer, I am beginning to understand why our Army is the best in the world.
All the men are respectful when they are pushed to their
edge by rude Afghans, are willing to take on any task and
are humble about their huge accomplishments.
4
5
A letter from Derek Hines
Submitted to the Newburyport Daily News and published on July 4, 2005
B
attle Company is aiding in the construction of government headquarters,
police stations, schools and medical clinics throughout three districts of
Afghanistan. But our job is not solely to offer humanitarian support. The
fact remains, this is a war — groups of men are fighting each other on a daily
basis. In our three districts alone, we have engaged the Taliban over 20 times in
three months. The enemy's primary weapons are AK-47 assault rifles and Rocket
Propelled Grenades (RPGs). A standard mission for the men of Battle Company
consists of moving by helicopter into a village. The village is believed to be harboring the Taliban, according to intelligence reports. Once inserted, we walk
upwards of 20 to 30 miles in the course of a week with 50 to 70 pounds on our
back in the form of body armor and a backpack. The patrol leader and his interpreter move into the village and find the "mullah," usually the oldest and wisest
male. At this point, a systematic search of the compounds that make up the village begins. About two hours into the patrol, the interpreter's walkie-talkie starts
making noises. It is the Taliban. We are hunting them, and they are hunting us. It
is a game of cat and mouse. The interpreter tells the patrol leader what the
Taliban is saying. They are beginning to prepare their attack. As the signal gets
better reception, we know they are getting closer. Every word said over the
radios the "terp" is telling us. The patrol starts to gear up, knowing it may have to
fight the mysterious enemy. We search the high ground looking for suspicious
activity in the rocks. The enemy is smart in this regard. They use the high ground
to their advantage. To try to reduce this advantage, Battle Company walks it.
Most mountains in Afghanistan range from 8,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation. At
the end of the day, we either get into a gunfight or wait until the next day when
the walkie-talkie chatter is heard again.
and Kabul, they will. Coalition forces are working with the Afghan National
Police (ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA). Both are in the early stages of
development, but every day show improvement. The men who join receive no
formal training. They are recruited, travel to the district they will work in, given
weapons and asked to secure the people. They range in age from 13 to 50. You
may think 13 is young for a police officer, but these brave boys are sometimes
the sole providers for their families — the only hope their families have to survive. When we arrived, the number of police officers was dwindling because the
government hadn't paid them in six months. Those men who stayed on to serve
despite the hardship will be why Afghanistan's government makes it. The best
missions Battle Company has conducted have been joint patrols with them leading the way. They live with the people and know who the bad guys are in the
local villages. Battle Company would have no idea who the enemy is if not for
them. The war would not be won without the brave ANP and ANA because the
Afghan people listen to them a lot more than they listen to us. The U.S. will not
win this war without the cooperation of every village because we cannot recognize the enemy unless he is shooting at us. To prepare for the elections, Battle
Company scheduled Surrahs (town hall meetings) with elders of each of the three
districts on Fridays, which is their Sabbath. In these meetings run by Army lieutenants and captains, groups of men attempt to solve district issues such as
hunger, drought and security. I've found that Afghans are looking for guidance,
and they want strong leadership. The elders listened to me talk about simple concepts like security, cooperation and leadership.
Working toward elections
The enemy in Afghanistan uses intimidation and weapons to influence the local
populace. They are professionally trained fighters educated at madrasses, or religious schools, in Pakistan, where they are taught that coalition forces are in
Afghanistan to destroy Islam. They have absolutely no connection to the people
of Afghanistan. They spend the day walking the mountains, then move to the villages in the evening to terrorize the people. One of the most pivotal events in
our one-year deployment will be the provincial elections. The responsibilities of
Battle Company include securing the election sites and workers. The United
Nations teams are taking responsibility for the actual elections. If the elections are
a success, it will move the Afghan government and the country closer to sustaining itself without Coalition troops and assistance. The Afghan government is
allowing women to vote, but in our three districts, which are very traditional, the
elders have stated women will not vote. In more developed areas like Kandahar
The reason for writing
I wanted to write this article to tell America of the war in Afghanistan. The press
has slowly made people think this is a humanitarian assistance mission. This is
false. Coalition forces are on the fast track to rebuilding this country, but there is
fighting, too. The men who surround me are America's heroes. They are between
the ages of 18 and 21. Most of them are just back from one year in Iraq and are
making the ultimate sacrifice for another year. Day in and day out, they amaze
me with their perseverance and determination. Their mission: secure three of the
most contentious areas in the country, Arghandab, Deh Chopan and Khak
Afghan. In the past four months, these brave men have successfully met every
challenge presented them. There are no days off. Recently, the fighting has been
as intense as it was when Special Forces Units and the Rangers initially came in
to defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaida in the Tora Bora mountains. In four major
engagements with the enemy, we have destroyed 15, 16, 40 and 80 Taliban fighters without the loss of a single American soldier. These soldiers make every day I
am out here worth the trip. As a young officer, I am beginning to understand why our Army is the best in the world.
All the men are respectful when they are pushed to their
edge by rude Afghans, are willing to take on any task and
are humble about their huge accomplishments.
4
5
“Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
(a favorite quote of Derek’s)
From Trevor…
CELEBRATION
You are and always will be my hero,
my brother, and will always be in
my heart.
Celebrant
Fr. Mark Piché
Eulogy
Steven Hines
First Reading
Pam Pappalardo
Second Reading
Rob Ouellette
Offering of Gifts
Derek’s cousins
Reflection from
Family & Friends
Ed Hill
Michael Hines
CPT. Tim Murphy
Music
Soloist: Donna Postle
Accompanied by St. John’s Prep Choir
Love, Trev
6
LIFE
Immaculate Conception Church, 10:30 a.m.
Although you are gone, I will always remember what you meant
to me. In every aspect of my life, I will try to be just like you,
whether it is playing hockey, or following the example you set
for me.
I remember you and everything that you did in your life.
I hope to accomplish as much as you have, but realize it will
be difficult.
OF
3
We gather to honor, reflect and support each other.
From Ashley…
We stand together — for you, by you, because of you.
We love you
Derek Steven Hines
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Friday, September 9, 2005
Derek is perfect. He set such high standards for us. We all aim
to achieve it. Now, as I sit here trying to think of memories of
Derek, they are all caring or funny gestures.
From his soft touch on our cousins’ faces, to his thoughtful
cards on Valentines Day. He also loved having a good
time....whether it was making fun of my excessive use of "Like",
or buying mittens for me every Christmas.
He was modest, selfless, and my hero. I am
so proud of his accomplishments and love
him with all my heart.
You're the Best,
Love, Ash
From Michael…
Even though you are gone, I will always remember the things
you taught me...you showed me. I will live the rest of my life
knowing that you will provide me with some of the strength
and courage you never had the time to use.
Love, Mike
The Hines Family
Michael, Ashley, Trevor, Derek
Sue & Steve
2
7
“Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
– John 15:13
1ST LT. DEREK S. HINES
July 9, 1980 – September 1, 2005
The family of Derek Hines would like to express
their deepest appreciation for the kindness shown them
during this very difficult time. The place Derek holds
in our hearts will be honored and cherished. We will fill it
with his memories, water it with our tears and nurture
it with our never ending love.
Rest in peace our beloved Derek, you will always be
the wind beneath our wings.
www.derekhines.org
Reflections of a Hero
“He stands in that unbroken line of patriots who have dared
to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its
blessings. Freedom lives and through it he lives—in a way
that humbles the undertakings of most men.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt