Where Have All the White Hats Gone?

In old Westerns, differentiating the good guys from the bad ones was simple. White hat, good. Black hat, bad. Although sometimes flawed, these guys always knew what to do and showed up just when you needed them to. They were movie heroes who taught us to do the right thing, especially if it was hard. Helping those in need, teaching kids to stand up for themselves, and holding the black hats accountable were lessons worth the price of admission. Gene Autry, Audie Murphy, and Jimmy Stewart exemplified the Hero archetype. They were decorated soldiers, family men, and good citizens – the real deal and as good a role model as anyone could ever find!

In this era of felonious politicians, predatory music moguls, convicted sports icons, and disgraced church leaders, finding a hero is difficult. Too often, today’s “role models” are measured by what cars they drive and how skilled they are at gaming the system. Unicorns exist, though, and stumbling across one is a humbling experience.

I met Command Sergeant Major Omar A. Mascarenas in Germany. My wife was assigned to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), the largest American military hospital outside the US. The hospital supports the over 50K military personnel and families assigned overseas. Additionally, LRMC is the first stop for many servicemen and allies wounded in the line of duty. Mascarenas was the senior enlisted leader or, as some say, the assigned “best friend” to the Commander. He was responsible for all enlisted personnel and overall mission readiness – a REALLY BIG job and one he was really good at.

My first impressions of Mascarenas were formed by a brief introduction at the Ramstein BX. My wife and I were shopping, and he stopped to say hello. He shook my hand and engaged in conversation, a courtesy not always shown by other leaders I’d met. I told my wife he seemed like a nice guy. My wife shared that he was always smiling and ready to take a selfie with his team. Mascarenas left an indelible impression wherever he’d go, and I experienced it, firsthand. Every time we ran across each other he took the time to make me feel important, and that can mean a lot to a Stay-At-Home-Dad (SAHD).

It wasn’t until this past September, at his retirement party, that I realized he was the real deal – like Autry, Murphy, and Stewart. After having served in the Army for 32 years, holding every leadership position from team leader to CSM, jumping out of planes as part of the 101^st Airborne Division, deploying for two years as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and earning more medals and awards than I can list, Mascarenas decided to step away from his career to become a SAHD and serve his family.

While I can spend time writing about the (GIANT) size wall he will need to display all the certificates and plaques he received that night (including two signed by the current and former Presidents or the emotional speech delivered by LRMC Commander Colonel Theodore Brown (and his surprise rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables), or the unexpected interruption by the base Fire Department (epic DJ smoke machine failure), it was the humility Mascarenas displayed throughout the night that revealed his character.

During an emotional speech, he talked about his military journey and celebrated everyone he had worked with along the way. He showed how doing the right thing can be life-changing. He spoke of overcoming personal adversity. He spoke of the importance of loyalty. Each example was an expression of gratitude to a colleague, friend, or family member that helped him become a better man. Fighting through tears, he apologized for his shortcomings and thanked those who held him accountable. He exemplified the traits I’d grown up seeing on TV. CSM Mascarenas earned his white hat and his place alongside my old Western heroes.

Without a dry eye in the house, Mascarenas signed off and posed for a selfie with the crowded room of servicemen and civilians he loved, reminding everyone that the party was not for him, it was for them.

Thank you, sir, for your service and for proving that heroes can be found when you most need them.