Wednesday Hero

Wednesday Hero was started to put a spotlight on the men and women of the United States military and the bravery their show day in and day out. But on a few occasions a service members of an allied nation has been profiled. Such is the case this week.

Despite being shot twice during an ambush in Afghanistan, an SAS (Special Air Service) soldier from Australia lashed himself to the front of his patrol vehicle so he wouldn't be left behind if he passed out from loss of blood and kept on fighting.

The Digger is expected to be recommended for a high level bravery award.

Suffering from serious upper body wounds, the soldier struggled on to the front of his SAS long range patrol vehicle (LRPV) and, under heavy fire, used a rope to attach himself firmly between the vehicle's bull bar and radiator.

Once he was secured, and there was no chance that he would fall off if he fainted, he picked up his rifle and resumed firing at the enemy during a two-hour fighting withdrawal.

SAS troops and their special forces comrades from the Commando Regiment are well aware of the slow and painful death that awaits them if they are captured by the Taliban.

The Digger, who cannot be identified, faded in and out of consciousness, emptying several magazines as volleys of enemy rounds and rocket propelled grenades, rained down around him.

He was finally evacuated from the battle field at high speed still lashed to the front of the LRPV.

A source told The Courier-Mail the Digger was now "up and about" and would recover fully from his serious gunshot wounds. His heroic deeds will be recognised when he is recommended for a high level bravery award.

Several others engaged in the do-or-die battle on September 2 are also in line for top honours.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

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Every Day Heroes

Sgt. Montcalm





*Give me a BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Give me a U
Give me a TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Give me an C
Give me an HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH*

*triple toe flip backward somersault double forward tuck
triple cartwheel and a BIIIIIIIIIIIG forward splits*

Watch out for flying pom poms BUUUUUUUUTCH!

And I chose this hero today because:

"Every soldier is one of our own. Every soldier's family is OUR family."

And this is especially true for THIS Sgt, and THIS family....

Thank YOU - and your family - for YOUR service! Thank you, from my heart.

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Marine Corps Marathon Forward

TEAM Iraq at the MCM Forward

Running in support of TAPS!

Last week I told you about the Marine Corps Marathon. See that story here.

This weekend will see thousands of runners - Marines, Marine families and friends - running to honour their fallen brothers and sisters in arms. One special team is team Eli, and Eli's family will be participating in the run raising money for TAPS.

TAPS team - Running for Eli
Parker family

What you may not know is that while the Run and Remember is taking place in the US, in Washington, thousands of miles away, Marines in Al Asad, Iraq will also be running.

These 150 servicemen and women are part of MCM Forward. This is the third year that the Marathon has been run in Iraq simultaneously with Washington:

More than 6,000 miles away from the start of the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in Arlington, Virginia on October 26th, 2008, hundreds of service members and contractors will run to honor our fallen heroes - but they'll be doing it in the sands of Al-Anbar Province, Iraq. And there's a way for you to show your support for their service and help families of the fallen!

Their 26.2 mile test of endurance, known as the "MCM Forward," will honor service members from all service branches in Iraq and Afghanistan who have given their lives in service to our country. You can honor their commitment by contributing funds to help those left behind. We are asking the American public to pledge $1,000 per runner to honor their run and support TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

[here]

From TAPS official Press Release:

It's especially poignant and fitting that the first steps of the Marine Corps Marathon this year will be run in Iraq in memory of our fallen heroes," said Bonnie Carroll, founder and chairman of TAPS.

Funds raised by the runners in Iraq will support TAPS programs to help families losing loved ones who serve in the military, providing much needed support for Good Grief Camps for children, case management support services for grieving families and the quarterly magazine TAPS produces for surviving families...

They are unofficially dedicating this year's run to US Marine Corps Major Megan M. McClung. McClung promoted the Marine Corps Marathon Forward in 2006, and was killed in December 2006.

Running in memory of McClung is very important to the runners, say organizers. "Thanks to her witty and charming personality and dedication to mission and commitment to fitness challenges, we are able to continue this annual event here in Iraq in support of the service members who wish to challenge themselves and dedicate this race to our fallen heroes," said Nadeau. "I know she will be smiling at all the runners and volunteers as they take part in the event in Al Asad on October 26, 2008 to coincide with the stateside race."

More information about donating to support a runner participating in the Marine Corps Marathon Forward in Iraq is available on the TAPS website here.

Major Megan M. McClung (April 14, 1972– December 6, 2006) was the first female United States Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the Iraq War. Maj McClung was serving as a public affairs officer in Al Anbar Province, Iraq when she was killed. (source)

For those of us unable to be in Washington - or in Iraq - we can watch the Run live. The Marine Corps Marathon: The People's Marathon, can be followed every step of the way. On their site, they have full instructions and links to lead you to the action. That is here: MCM

There will be approximately 30,000 runners in Washington this weekend. Through the miracles of modern technology, we CAN cheer on all the amazing runners in this 33rd Marine Corps Marathon - TAPS Run and Remember - from anywhere in the world.

Semper Fi, Marines.

Be sure and read below for stories of a few of the special runners in Marine Corps Marathon.

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Marine Corps Marathon - Special Runners

Some of the TAPS runners include:

Sixteen-year-old Katrina Wert, lost her father, US Marine Corps Master Sergeant Michael Wert, when he drowned while saving two boys at a North Carolina beach. Katrina helped her father in the water rescue, hauling the boogie board for the two boys who nearly drowned. Master Sergeant Wert was an intelligence chief for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point and had served in Operation Desert Storm and supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his death, Katrina, an avid cross country runner, gave up her sport. But after hearing about the TAPS team in the Marine Corps Marathon, she decided to run to honor the memory of her father. Her younger brother, Michael, age 8, will honor their dad in the Healthy Kids Fun Run.

Jaime Boris will run the Marine Corps Marathon this year only weeks before the first anniversary of her husband's death in Afghanistan. US Army Captain David Boris, was killed with his gunner, Sgt. Adrian Hike, when an IED exploded on November 12, 2007.. Jaime wrote: "I am running to honor Dave and Adrian and to fulfill the plan that Dave and I had to run the Marine Corps Marathon together. Dave was not only my husband and my best friend; he was also my favorite running partner. I ran my first marathon, the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon, while he was deployed to Iraq. After he returned, we trained for and ran two marathons together (Berlin 2005 and Vienna 2006) and planned to run the MCM together after we moved back to the US from Germany. This October 26th I know he will be with me for all 26.2 miles as our friends and I run for TAPS in his honor."

When Renny Parker ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2006 for the very first time, it was only months after the death of his son, US Marine Corps Sergeant Eli Parker, who was killed while conducting combat operations in Iraq. Renny ran again in 2007, and now has recruited nine of Eli's friends and family members to run with him. His wife Donna is also running the 10K at the Marine Corps Marathon this year. Renny wrote, "I live in central New York and I'm running the marathon in memory of my son, Marine Sgt. Elisha Parker, who was killed in Iraq on May 4, 2006. I also run and remember those close to Eli who gave their lives in Iraq: Cpl. Tyler Fey, LCpl. Robert Moscillo, Cp. Stephen Bixler, and others."

Xiomara Hall's husband left for Iraq in February 2008, leaving her at home with their four children. Then in March she received the knock on the door that every military family dreads, and found out that the love of her life, US Marine Corps Lt. Col. William G. Hall, had been killed in combat operations. Xiomara will run her first marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon and has organized an entire team of friends and family members to run alongside her for TAPS as Team Semper Fi. Their daughter, Tatianna, age 7, will run the Healthy Kids Fun Run in memory of her dad.

Mark Hurst (bib #25,226) is running in memory of Captain Eric "Boot" Das, who was killed in action in 2003 while flying an F15-E over Iraq. Hurst was part of the ground team send to recover his remains from the failed mission. He and his family have become close with Das' widow, Captain Nicole Das. During a deployment in Afghanistan in May 2004, Hurst was wounded in action and would later lose an eye.

Amanda Dodson of Anchorage, Alaska, will run the Marine Corps Marathon with the helping words of her father and running partner, Gary Dodson, alongside. They're running in memory of Amanda's fiancé, US Army Corporal Jason Corbett, who died in Karmah, Iraq on January 15, 2007 while attempting to help a foot patrol from his platoon under enemy fire. Amanda writes, "Jason was an active athlete and outdoorsman. As much as Jason enjoyed running, participating in this marathon is a wonderful way to honor him." On her run, she will carry a photo he gave her before deploying.

The TAPS "Run and Remember" team began with one runner. In 1996, Marie Campbell lost her husband, US Air Force Sergeant Dee "Soup" Campbell, when a terrorist truck bomb exploded at the Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and took the lives of 19 air men. "TAPS helped me so much in those early years, and I ran the Marine Corps Marathon as part of my own healing," said Marie Campbell.

"Now I do this to give back to others who need grief and recovery support, so TAPS can continue to support the many surviving families who've lost someone serving in the military and are walking the road I once walked down," said Campbell. Today, Campbell is the director of the TAPS "Run and Remember" team, and organizes a 3-day event for the TAPS team. She'll be running her 8th marathon this year.

*I will be cross-posting these everywhere you usually find me including NewsBlaze here ..;)*

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B*N*S*N1

Two-Thirds Of Iraq's Provinces Now Under Iraqi Control

"Earlier Today, In Yet Another Sign Of Security Improvements In Iraq, Primary Security Was Turned Back Over To The Iraqis In The Province Of Babil … South Of Baghdad And Home To The Ruins Of The Ancient City Of Babylon … It Becomes The 12th Of 18 Provinces To Take A Lead For Its Security Operations In Iraq."

– White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Watch Bill Hemmer's Report:

Associated Press: "The U.S. relinquished control of a southern province that includes Sunni areas once known as the 'triangle of death,' handing security responsibility to the Iraqi government on Thursday."

• "Babil is the 12th of 18 Iraqi provinces to be handed over and a sign of the improving security. U.S. forces will remain in the area to assist the Iraqis when needed."

• "At a transfer ceremony held near the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, said security gains have been remarkable – with the number of attacks falling about 80 percent from an average of 20 per week a year ago. But he cautioned that 'while the enemies of Iraq are down, they are not necessarily defeated."

• "With Babil's handover to the Iraqi government, the only province left under U.S. control in southern Iraq is Wasit, a rural desert region that borders Iran and has been a conduit for the smuggling of foreign fighters and weapons into Iraq."

• "Salim al-Musilmawi, Babil's provincial governor, credited tribal leaders and Sunnis who turned against al-Qaida in Iraq in a U.S.-funded revolt with the downturn in violence."

• "Today's security handover is the fruit of the victory over al-Qaida,' he said." (Bradley Klapper, "US Turns Over Control Of 12th Iraqi Province," Associated Press, 10/23/08)

Ambassador Crocker and General Odierno: "The United States Embassy – Iraq and Multi-National Force-Iraq welcome the transfer of security in Babil Province to Iraqi responsibility as a positive step on the path to Iraq's self-reliance.

Babil is the twelfth province to be transferred to Iraqi security responsibility. The first province transferred to Government of Iraqi security control was Muthanna in July 2006, followed by Dhi Qar, An Najaf, Maysan, Irbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk, Karbala, Basrah, Qadisiyah, and most recently Anbar in September 2008.

The achievement in Babil Province means that now fully two-thirds of Iraq's provinces have assumed security responsibility.

Iraqi Security Forces in Babil have been operating independently for the past several months. Working with local government and military officials, they have demonstrated their readiness to assume responsibility for the provincial security of Babil. Today this responsibility is theirs.

The transition of responsibility for security in Babil Province is an important step. The provincial and military leadership in Babil will have to work cooperatively in order to maintain the security necessary for long-term economic prosperity. We will assist as needed. The United States Embassy and Multi-National Force-Iraq congratulate the Government of Iraq on this important milestone." (Joint Statement by Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker and General Raymond Odierno, Press Release, 10/23/08)

Background:

Babil is the twelfth province to achieve Provincial Iraqi Control.

Transition Overview:

In June 2005, Iraq's Prime Minister announced a joint decision between the Iraqi government and Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) to systematically hand over security responsibility in Iraq's 18 provinces to the Provincial Civil Authorities under the control of the province's governor. The responsibility for security in each province will become that of the Local and National Iraqi Police Service (IPS), the Iraqi Army (IA), and elements of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Ministry of Interior (MOI).

The Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility (JCTSR), comprised of Iraqi, MNF-I and Embassy representatives, was commissioned in July 2005 to develop a set of conditions assessing the readiness of each province for Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC).

The Selection Process:

The selection of a province for transfer of sovereignty is based on an exhaustive examination of criteria:

• The perceived Security Threat Level

• The ability of the Iraqi Security Forces to accept the responsibility for maintaining security

• The proficiency of the Provincial Governor in managing security enforcement matters

• The ability of the Multi National Force - Iraq to react to any request from the Prime Minister of Iraq for assistance with the maintenance of security, should such a request be received.

Yep - that surely IS B*N*S*N! Thanks CJ!

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B*N*S*N2

Debbie Kilpatrick, a former member of the Women's Arrmy Corps and now an environmental protection specialist at Fort Lee, Va., looks through the history of the WAC at the U.S. Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee. Photo by Amy Perry

File under: I didn't know this:

Army observes 30th anniversary of integrating WACs

Oct 20, 2008
BY Melissa K. Wiford

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 20, 2008) -- Thirty years ago, on Oct. 20, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 95-485 disbanding the Women's Army Corps as a separate corps within the United States Army following 36 years of dedicated service.

Beginning today and until mid November, the Army will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the full integration of women into the regular Army, said Lt. Col. Mike Moose, spokesperson for the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1. He said the G-1 is looking for former members of the Womens Army Corps who might like to share their stories and memories with both internal and external audiences.

Originally established as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, or WAAC by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, the WAC went through many different organizational statuses throughout its history...

There is lots more here.

And there is more, on the links on that page:

WAAC Recruiting Poster

Photo by Army Heritage Museum
October 20, 2008

Womens Auxiliary Army Corps Recruiting Poster in the Army Heritage Museum Poster Collection at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. (here)

Go check it out.

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B*N*S*N3

Iraqi Police demonstrate room-clearing techniques as part of the Iraqi Police graduation ceremony at the Provincial Directorate of Police headquarters in Baghdad, Oct. 21, 2008. Photo by Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger, 18th Military Police Brigade.

Iraqi Police Media Relations Graduates Will Tell the IP Story

Thursday, 23 October 2008

BAGHDAD — Baghdad’s top Iraqi Police (IP) officials and members of Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 18th Military Police Brigades’ Provincial Police Transition Team (PPTT) gathered at the Iraqi Directorate of Police headquarters Oct. 20 to witness the graduation of 401 new Iraqi Police Media Relations Officers.

“The IPs will be assigned at every IP facility throughout Baghdad to work with the community and the media to help improve the public perception of the IP at the local level,” said Maj. Larry Dewey, 18th MP Bde.’s PPTT chief.

The graduates’ mission will be to tell the story of the IP to the citizens of Baghdad.

“This is a great opportunity for IP to tell their story,” said Lt. Col. Michael Indovina, who is the 18th MP Bde.’s public affairs officer and works with the Iraqi Directorate of Police public affairs officer to develop the IP public affairs program.

“The IP are doing great work over here,” said Indovina, a native of Parma, Ohio. “They are making great strides to improve the security in Baghdad. With the new IP media personnel, they will now be given the opportunity to tell their story from their perspective.”...

Go read the rest of this B*N*S*N here.

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B*N*S*N4

On the Ball

Cpt. Olivera Rodriguez of the the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, gets in a little soccer practice with the local youth and adults during a pickup soccer game Saturday in the Ad Dujayl area. The 2-320 FAR, provided security while local children and adults participated in pickup soccer games to help strengthen the relationships between coalition forces and Muslims in the area. Photo by Spc. Michael Behlin.

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Wednesday Hero

Sgt. Carlton A. Clark
22 years old from South Royalton, Vermont
2nd Brigade Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
August 06, 2006


Sgt. Carlton Clark graduated from South Royalton High School in 2002. While in high school, he was co-captain of his soccer team and a member of the track and field and basketball teams. He graduated from basic combat training and advanced individual training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. in 2002 and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. as a combat engineer. He was air assault qualified and deployed during the initial wave of Operation Iraqi Freedom for one year. He was subsequently assigned to West Point to train cadets. He re-enlisted and was deployed for a second tour of duty in Iraq. He earned a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor, a Bronze Star Medal and was posthumously awarded a second Purple Heart.

Sgt. Clark was killed in action when an IED detonated near his Humvee while conducting combat operations in Baghdad. Also killed in the attack were Staff Sgt. Stephen A. Seale and Cpl. Jose Zamora.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

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2008 Run and Remember - for Team Eli

2008 Marine Corp Marathon, TAPS team

The Marine Corp Marathon: the beginning www.marinemarathon.com

It is that time of year when "The People's Marathon" is run to raise money for worthy Marine-related causes. Started from the idea of one man, the Marine Corp Marathon has grown annually. From that first run in 1976 when 1,175 runners participated on November 7, now the run attracts many teams, honouring specific Marines, and causes.

Team Eli is honoring Eli Parker and raising money for the TAPS program. TAPS is the "Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors." Not that I am biased, but this program does fantastic work across the US in support of the families of our fallen heroes. Eli's parent know well what it means to survive and honour a fallen hero.

TAPS team - Running for Eli

Read the rest at NewsBlaze here.

*cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*

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Every Day Heroes

Meet Staff Sgt. Jo Turner AND Spc. Cheryl Ivanov:

The Story:

When Staff Sgt. Turner and Spc. Ivanov first deployed to Afghanistan as combat medics attached to an Afghan National Army (ANA) brigade, they had a hard time earning respect -- especially from Afghan soldiers, who had never seen women in combat before. Yet all that changed as they proved themselves time and again during high-risk missions and during life-saving operations in the midst of battle.

During one patrol, Kandak soldiers were ambushed by insurgents; without hesitation, Turner, who was driving a Humvee for embedded trainers, drove her vehicle directly into the firefight while another soldier manned the weapon in the turret and helped cut off the enemy’s direct line of fire. In another incident, the team responded to an attack on a nearby Kuchi camp. Upon arrival, they saw that instead of hitting the intended American base, insurgents had hit the camp instead, wounding and killing several civilians. Turner and Ivanov quickly began providing medical care to the civilians despite the rockets still crashing down in the area.

Besides providing medical support for the ANA, Afghan police, and U.S. personnel during missions, Turner and Ivanov serve as mentors to ANA healthcare providers and conduct classes for Kandak medics. They also serve in a humanitarian role by coordinating medical assistance for Afghans in nearby villages - an opportunity to make friends with locals and gather intelligence, which has led to actionable information. Ivanov and Turner have both earned Combat Medical Badges for their work under fire. ( here and here)

And in a National Guard story:

Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jo Turner (left) and Spc. Cheryl Ivanov are battle buddies who stick together and help each other cope with the emotional and mental stress of combat operations in Afghanistan. (Photo by 1st Lt. Amanda Straub, 41st Brigade Combat Team)

Breaking gender barriers in war:

Female combat medics earn respect from Afghan Army

By 1st Lt. Amanda Straub
41st Brigade Combat Team

GARDEZ, Afghanistan (1/26/2007) – Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jo Turner, and Spc. Cheryl Ivanov have found a niche in a "Good Ol’ Boys’ Club" while serving in Afghanistan.

Turner, from Springfield, Ore., and Ivanov, from Coos Bay, are female combat medics deployed with Oregon’s 41st Brigade Combat Team. They are attached to the Afghan National Army’s (ANA) 3rd Infantry Kandak, 1st Brigade, 203rd Corps. They provide medical support during missions.

Both women have earned Combat Medical Badges because of their work under fire. They drive armored Humvees for the embedded trainers assigned to the 3rd Kandak during patrols and provide medical support to the ANA, Afghan police, U.S. military personnel and civilians.

Turner and Ivanov also mentor ANA healthcare providers and conduct classes for Kandak medics. They say that because they are women, it was a challenge to earn the respect as an embedded trainer among the Afghan soldiers....

This really IS a great write-up, and you can find the rest on these two Every Day Heroes here.

Thank YOU, Staff Sgt. Turner and Spc. Ivanov for your service.

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Operation Warm Our Heroes

Operation Warm our Heroes

180,000 packets of Hot Cocoa are needed for our soldiers’ holiday gift

Date needed by: November 1, 2008 contact: Julie mictl01@gmail.com

We are sending every soldier deployed in a combat zone a care package with Holiday greetings, including goodies and a beautiful homemade blanket.

How Can You Help?

Challenge your school, PTA group, teachers, parents, senior citizen centers, businesses, church, college, radio & TV stations, and newspapers. Get the word out tell everyone you know you are collecting hot cocoa packets to provide Wrap our Heroes in Holiday Spirit!

Please Donate Your Hot Cocoa Packets

Please send your donation with your contact information with estimated value to:

Soldiers’ Angels or Soldiers’ Angels

Wrapped in Holiday Spirit Wrapped in Holiday Spirit

914 Tourmaline Drive 112 Greenhill Road

Newbury Park, CA 91320 Ramseur, NC 27316

Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-led, 501 (c)(3) non-profit supporting the troops since 2003.

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Wrapped in Holiday Spirit

The Wrapped in Holiday Spirit Care package is designed to tell America’s service men and women

“WE BELIEVE IN YOU”

The core of the Wrapped in Holiday Spirit Care

Package is a handmade Blanket of Belief and

also includes, socks, Angel travel mug, hot

cocoa, gum, tootsie rolls, a candy bar or health

food bar and a handwritten card with warm

Holiday wishes.

Soldiers’ Angels goal this year is to get the Wrapped in Holiday Spirit Care Package into the

Hands of 180,000 deployed service members

Your donation of $25.00 puts us one closer.

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Pennies for Heroes

SOLDIERS' ANGELS: PENNIES FOR HEROES


Urgently needed by November 1, 2008
Help us collect 10 Million Pennies to help defray the cost for
Soldiers’ Angels 2008 Holiday for Heroes packages & postage!
“We will strive to make sure that every soldier deployed in a combat area receives a holiday care package.”

The package will contain a stainless steel travel mug (With Soldiers' Angels logo
and name on it!), hot chocolate mix, candy, gum, chocolate bar, a pair of white
crew socks, and a beautiful homemade Blanket of Belief.

By collecting millions of pennies for our Heroes - it makes cents
Capture the spirit, donate your piggy bank, and challenge your schools across the
nation, PTA groups, teachers, parents, senior citizen centers, businesses, churches,
colleges, radio & TV stations, and newspapers. Get the word out – tell everyone you
know you are collecting pennies to provide Holiday for our Heroes.

All pennies collected should be counted and taken to your local bank where your pennies can
be converted into a check or money order.

Please send your donation to:
Soldiers’ Angels, 1792 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
Website: www.soldiersangels.org Email: soldiersangels@gmail.com
Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-led non-profit 501 (c) (3) Organization

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Challenge to EMS Providers

2008 Wrapped Up In Holiday Spirit

A Challenge to EMS Providers

Our Goal is to collect 180,000

• AT&T Global International Phone Cards

• Packets of Hot Cocoa

• Packets of Hot Cider

• White Tube Socks

• Energy Bars/Candy Bars/Gum

• Thermal Mugs

• Blankets of Belief

For Monetary Donations: To Send Donated Items:

Soldiers’ Angels Soldiers’ Angels Or Soldiers’ Angels

Attn: Holidays For Heroes Attn: Holidays For Heroes Attn: Holidays For Heroes

1792 W. Washington Blvd 914 Tourmaline Drive 112 Greenhill Road

Pasadena, CA 91104 Newbury Park, CA 91320 Ramseur, NC 27316

Soldiers’ Angels is a nonprofit (501c3) organization which sole purpose and mission is to support our men and women serving our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom! Deadline is November 1, 2008 for further information or to contact a team leader please go to www.soldiersangels.org

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B*N*S*N1

Marine Father, Army Son Reunite in Iraq

Thursday, 16 October 2008

AL ASAD AIR BASE — In a line of Marines from Team Tank, Regimental Combat Team 1, one man stood out in his gray digital uniform as he participated in a combat-marksmanship program shoot.

Army Sgt. Shane M. White, 22, an information systems specialist with 4th Psychological Operations Group, based in Fallujah, was participating in the shoot with the Marines at the invitation of their company first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Joseph C. Gray, who also happens to be White’s father.

The Soldier and his Marine dad reunited here for three days. It was the first time in more than a year that they’d seen each other.

“The last time I saw my son was last September, for one day, at his wedding,” said Gray, who has been in Iraq since April on his second deployment here....

My regular readers know that for me it is ALL about family. Go read the rest of this B*N*S*N story here.

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B*N*S*N2

MND-B Soldiers seize weapons caches north of Baghdad

Thursday, 16 October 2008

Multi-National Corps – Iraq

Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20081016-22

Oct. 16, 2008

MND-B Soldiers seize weapons caches north of Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – A tip led Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers to a weapons cache north of Baghdad Oct. 16.

Acting on a tip from a local shaykh, Soldiers serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, seized six cans of 14.5 mm ammunition, a rocket propelled grenade launcher, an RPG rocket, a 155 mm projectile round, an Iraqi hand grenade, a bag of sulfur and a bag of sodium carbonate near Joint Security Station Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad, at approximately 10:30 a.m.

An explosive ordnance team took the munitions to Camp Taji for disposal.

-30-

(source)

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B*N*S*N3

Air traffic control tower at Basrah International Airport
[Picture: Cpl Rob Knight, RLC]

Building Basra's air traffic control capability

A Military Operations news article

16 Oct 08

RAF personnel no longer exclusively operate Basra's air traffic control tower. In the fourth of our special features from southern Iraq we see how, with the RAF's help, Iraqi air traffic controllers have been developing their skills to the point where they are now landing British and American military aircraft on their own. Report by Danny Chapman.

Handing over Basrah International Airport to full Iraqi control is one of the main objectives that the current General Officer Commanding Multi National Division (South East) Iraq, Major General Andy Salmon, has been tasked with for his six month tenure. A key aspect of that objective is handing over full control of the airport's air traffic control tower.

Since 2004 the airport has been operated as a combined military and civilian facility. Commercial flights re-commenced at Basrah International Airport (BIA) that year, and the importance of the airport in enabling the economic development of southern Iraq is crucial....

Very interesting article which you can read here.

Lots of other interesting 'stuff' on that same page, too!

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B*N*S*N4

Governor of Salah ad Din Province, Hamad Hamood Shekti, and other local Iraqi leaders and coalition forces make it official at the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone, host nation business center ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 7, at Joint Base Balad. Photo by Spc. Charlotte Martinez

Iraqi-based Industrial Zone opens two new facilities in Balad

Oct 11, 2008

BY 3rd Sustainment Command Public Affairs

"There's an excitement here... and that's exactly what we need."

That is the message sent to coalition forces, local Iraqi government and business owners, and Iraqi press representatives by Brig. Gen. Nicholas Matern, Deputy Commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, near the end of a much anticipated media day at Joint Base Balad. The Canadian flag officer thanked Soldiers and Airmen supporting local Iraqi government and business leaders forge new economic opportunities.

That is the message sent to coalition forces, local Iraqi government and business owners, and Iraqi press representatives by Brig. Gen. Nicholas Matern, Deputy Commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, near the end of a much anticipated media day at Joint Base Balad. The Canadian flag officer thanked Soldiers and Airmen supporting local Iraqi government and business leaders forge new economic opportunities.

Matern, along with other high-ranking coalition officials, made the trip to JBB to attend ceremonies celebrating the opening of two new facilities: an Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone asphalt plant and a business center to respond to administrative needs of local Iraqi businesses.

The IBIZ asphalt facility will provide employment for a number of Iraqis, particularly members of the Sons of Iraq that are standing down in wake of security gains. The manufacturing and paving crews will be able to provide profoundly needed services for local Iraqi infrastructure projects as well the installation....

Read more here.

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Wednesday Hero

Sgt. Anton J. Hiett
25 years old from Mount Airy, North Carolina
391st Engineer Battalion, Army Reserve
March 12, 2006


Misty Hiett, the widow of Sgt. Anton Hiett, said in an interview that he, Sgt. Hiett, asked to transfer to the 391st Engineering Battalion when it looked like his reserve unit would not be deployed.

Sgt. Hiett was a truck driver who joined the military right out of high school because he "wanted to go help out" during the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. After his transfer to the 391st, he was deployed to Afghanistan on April 22, 2005.

On March 12, 2006, Sgt. Hiett, and three fellow soldiers from the 391st, Staff Sgt. Joe Ray; Spc. Joshua Hill and Sgt. Kevin Akins, were killed when an IED detonated near their Humvee during combat operations west of Asadabad, Afghanistan. He left behind his wife and their then 2(now 4)-year-old daughter Kyra.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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From this Canadian - Thanks!

Today - this second Monday in October - is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. I have been discussing with some of my American friends why we celebrate earlier than you. One particular wit even asked me if we also celebrate Christmas earlier than Americans! No! We celebrate that the same day as Christians around the world.

But, I, of course, had to go find out why the difference for this day. I found a lot that makes absolute sense.

Thanksgiving Day Celebration in Canada People of Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in the month of October every year. It is celebrated to thank the Lord Almighty for a bountiful harvest. America however celebrates thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November every year. The reason behind the difference is geographical; autumn season starts earlier in Canada than in America. History of First Canadian Thanksgiving The first Canadian thanksgiving was celebrated on 15th April 1872 to thank the recovery of King Edward VII from serious illness. The next thanksgiving was celebrated after a few years in 1879 on a Thursday. Canada later, had a turbulent time deciding the day of national Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was celebrated on a Thursday in November between 1879 and 1898. It was later celebrated on a Thursday in October between 1899 and 1904. Thereafter, it was celebrated on a Monday in the month of October. This was between the period of 1908-1921. In later years, thanksgiving came to be celebrated on 'Armistice Day'. This was however, amended in 1931. Finally on January 31, 1957, Parliament announced the second Monday in the month of October as the official 'Thanksgiving Day'. It was declared as "a day of general Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed." Canadian Thanksgiving Celebration The thanksgiving celebrations include parades, customary 'family feast' and 'turkey'. It is a time for sharing, loving and family reunions. The central idea behind the celebration is to be thankful for the past harvest and praying for the coming year.(source)

There is also a very neat kids' site with the history of Canada's Thanksgiving Day, here.

As most of my regular readers know, I am not a native Canadian, although I am now a Canadian citizen. My childhood saw us all gathering at the our local Church of England in a celebration of thanks for a successful harvest. Vivid memories of going to church on the Sunday designated "Harvest Festival", and finding the altar piled high with all sorts of produce, harvest. I always took that for granted, (but, no, I don't remember that we had turkey! lol) and only when I had a Canadian child did I embrace the Canadian Thanksgiving Day rituals. I continue to this day gathering the harvest for a big family dinner of turkey and all the trimmings. Gathering in our Canadian kitchen and going through the rituals of cooking the meal together, laughing and sharing with those I hold most dear in my Canadian family.

This year, as for the last few, this day holds special poignancy for me. Yes, I absolutely give thanks for all the blessings I have, but my thoughts always stray to Afghanistan where members of our Canadian 'family' are right now. I think about the Canadians who have given their lives so that I and my family might be together, safely celebrating this day. As I hug my now grown child, I give a silent thanks to those families who this year will have an empty chair at their family table.

"Thank you" are two of the most over-used words in the English language, but words that I never get tired of saying. Today especially, and as always, I give thanks to every single one of our Canadian heroes who are far from hearth and home. I give thanks to the families whose loved ones left for Afghanistan to serve their country in the cause for freedom. To all the families, whose precious loved ones will never return home, for this Thanksgiving or any other: I wish I could show each of you the depth of my heart as I "give thanks" to you, today and every day.

Thank you.
*originally posted on Tanker Bros last year but still holds true today*

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Every Day Heroes

This week, something a little different. On the US Army site, I found a new section. You will see why I feel the need to share this with you:

You’re about to meet some everyday heroes. They might be your sons and daughters, spouses, parents, neighbors, friends or total strangers, but each one has always answered his or her Country’s call with selfless service and undaunted courage. Some are Soldiers, some are family members, some are community volunteers – we celebrate them all, and invite you to look into their eyes as you read their stories. You may not remember their names, but you will never forget these “Faces of Strength.”

So reads the introduction to these incredible profiles. This is an Adobe flash presentation that I found, with many "every day heroes." Since I can't figure out how to copy it, :( (above my pay grade? ouch...lol) please go and watch it here.

Oh, and yes! You will need a tissue or two..:) Go HERE, and spend time with some who truly are "Faces of Strength".

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The Sack Lunches

My friend, KY Woman, who has her own blog: Little Drops..... into the pools of life", and is also a temporary co-author on Knee Deep in the Hooah! has a very neat post up. She has given me permission to share it with you. Didn't you like how I got TWO promos in there? :) Anyhooooooo, :

From Airman Mom...

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
~~~~~Thomas Jefferson

I was out visiting today, when I happened to stop for a rest at Airman Mom's place. I was there for a while as she has some wonderful reads. The one below I have reposted here with her blessing.

Before you read, grab some tissues. I was a sobbing, sniffling mess as I left her a comment, requesting my 'steal'.


The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.


Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq ."

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago."

His friend agreed....

To see how this wonderful story goes, you have to go over to KYWoman's site here. It really IS a lovely reminder about what is important in these crazy times we live in.

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B*N*S*N1

MND-C Soldiers hand out donated school supplies

By Pfc. Christopher McKenna
Multi-National Division – Center

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq – MND-C Soldiers and their Iraqi Army counterparts delivered school supplies to children in the Mahmudiyah Qada Oct. 6-8.

“The children are very grateful to receive these school supplies; we are very grateful that the Coalition is showing that they care,” said Mohammed Josim Mohammed Al Thathawyi, al Ansar School assistant headmaster. “With the new school year just getting under way, this couldn’t have come at a better time for the students.”

The supplies were donated by Students and Soldiers for Change, an organization created by Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, 2nd Platoon squad leader, Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

“I started working on the organization with my mom back home, who is a teacher in junior high school,” said Johnson. “When I went home on leave, I took a lot of my time setting this up.”

Drop boxes were set up around Johnson’s hometown of Mt. Vernon, Ill., where people donated school supplies and money.

In addition to materials for teachers and administrators, more than 1,000 notebooks, 1,400 pencils, 1,000 pens and 2,000 sheets of paper were donated by the organization.

“This allows both the students and teachers to see that we are interested in helping to rebuild this country, to help them prosper and show that education is a top priority for us,” Johnson said.

The donated supplies have given approximately 600 school children supplies they need but usually don’t have. About 20 teachers and administrators received organizational packets.

“The outer-city schools don’t have as much opportunity as the schools located within the city,” Johnson said.

Counting these two distributions, 3-320th FA Regt. have completed a total of 104 school supply drops.

“In the 12 months we have been here, we have had 35 pallets of school supplies donated by Operation Iraqi Children, an organization started by actor and singer Gary Sinise,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Brian Murphy, 3-320th FA Regt.

There are plans to distribute the remaining seven pallets of supplies from Operation Iraqi Children.

“I hope this continues after we leave country,” Murphy said. “Over the next weeks we are going to try and give out the rest of the on-hand supplies and assist the incoming unit with continuing the distributions.”

Johnson said he plans to continue his organization’s legacy after redeploying as well. “When the next unit arrives I am going to give them my information and hope to continue to support the children in the area with Students and Soldiers for Change.”

-30-

(source)

And that really IS B*N*S*N!!! B ut don't hold your breath waiting to read that on your local rag's front page. We all know that's not going to happen any time soon. Doesn't fit the agenda, does it? BUT the kids of Iraq "get it." HOO-frickin-AAAH!

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B*N*S*N2

Checking It Out

Two Iraqi children watch as Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment U.S. Soldiers and 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Army Division Iraqi Soldiers combine to distribute information leaflets in sectors seven and eight of the Sadr City district of Baghdad on Oct. 3, 2008. The leaflets contain information about denying the return of special groups to the area, which was named Operation Striker Storm which was a smaller part of Operation Ironhorse Blizzard. Photo by Tech Sgt. Cohen Young....

(source)

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B*N*S*N3

File this under: Progress, in case you missed it!

Building, Health and Education

Sunday, 07 September 2008

Of the 132 IRRF funded Primary Healthcare Centers, 118 have been turned over to the Iraqi Ministry of Health, with 16 projects on-going. Forty hospital renovation projects have been completed, with 11 on-going and two additional projects planned. The new hospitals have the capacity to treat millions of patients, while the Primary Healthcare Centers can serve more than 600,000 outpatients annually. Fostering an environment to learn, 1,087 school renovations or new construction projects have been completed with 37 more on-going. (source)

Can we say "that's B*N*S*N"? Yes, we can! But don't bother looking in the msm.;)

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B*N*S*N4

Iraqi Police Making Waves

Thursday, 09 October 2008

HADITHA DAM — The Euphrates River fulfills many of the economic needs for the people of Iraq. For all of its advantages though, it does create a challenge for the Iraqi Police (IP) who are in charge of security for the area.

To remedy this situation, Sailors with Riverine Squadron 3, Riverine Detachment 2, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 have been holding classes for the IP on basic seamanship.

“We are teaching them the basics so when we leave they will be able to take over patrolling the river,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason H. Gialenes, 24, from Huntington Beach, Calif., who is a gunner and instructor with Riverine Squadron 3....

Read more here.

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Thanksgiving Comes First

There is only one reason to be thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving, and that is to get your holiday packages out to the troops on time. And I don't need to go to the store for that when I can order my packages here.

I found it deeply annoying when I stopped in Dollar General last week to find a few things and fully HALF the store was all Christmas stuff. I did not find several of the "regular" items I went in there to get because they had no more space left for regular stuff with having to clear half the store for Christmas stuff.

This week I came across the Thanksgiving Comes First campaign. Needless to say, this caught my interest enough to come out of blog hibernation and post about.

I can only surmise that the reason for pushing out the holiday stuff sooner and sooner every year is just plain greed. But I have to wonder about their logic. In the example above at Dollar General, I bought less than I would have because I'm definitely NOT buying Christmas stuff the first week of October, and I did not find the other items I wanted. Does that put money in their pocket? Their Halloween section was pitifully small, and one would presume that people are really buying those items now.

Anyway, I'm sure most of you have your own twist on this pet peeve and if you'd like to join the Thanksgiving Comes First campaign, click the cute turkey below.



GOBBLE GOBBLE!

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Belle of the Blankets

Blogger "Conservative Belle" has a challenge for you!

When she saw that the Blankets of Belief (Wrapped in Holiday Spirit) campaign was in need of many more blankets than had been collected, she decided to do something about it. Belle has stepped up to challenge her fellow knitters, seamstresses and no-sew blanket makers to participate in the many blanket campaigns of Soldiers' Angels.

Anyone making a Blanket of Belief is invited to send Conservative Belle pictures of the completed blanket. She will award a personally hand-knitted scarf and hat set to the best blanket. In addition, the first person to make both a Blanket of Belief and Blanket of Gratitude, as well as whoever makes the most blankets overall will also receive her hand-knitted prizes.

Go read how easy it is to make a blanket for under $20 and two hours of effort. "First, set aside all your "I can't sew or do crafty things" reservations and put on your 'can do' attitude," she wrote. "Remember, this is for those in our military who always have a can do attitude for us. This project is easy and you have OPTIONS!"

See this post for easy instructions and pics of the wonderful blanket Belle made.

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Wednesday Hero

Cpl. Lance M. Thompson
21 years old from Upland, Indiana
2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
November 15, 2004


The father of Cpl. Lance Thompson said his son would be proud knowing he fought and died to help Iraqis vote in an election.

Cpl. Lance Thompson died in during fighting in Ramadi by a truck bomb.  His father, Greg Thompson, said his son sent him a letter in September of '04 which said, "Freedom is not free. It requires sacrifice."

Greg Thompson said the millions turning out to vote in Iraq was "fantastic" and said it was a "momentous day in the Middle East."

"Are you asking me was it worth Lance losing his life?" he asked a reporter.  "Being the gung-ho Marine that he was, he would say yes. So I'll say yes. That is a tough, bitter pill to swallow. It hurts. God, I didn't want to give up my son."

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.  For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.  For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

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Soldier Charity Faces Closure: Corporate Donations Dry Up

Soldier Charity Faces Closure: Corporate Donations Dry Up

October 1st, 2008 by CJ

Booksforsoldiers.com has sent thousands of care
packages to our troops deployed outside the US since March 2003. But Booksforsoldiers.com is in dire financial need now, and may close. The site must raise $22,000 by October 31 or it will stop taking new requests on December 1, finish filling remaining care package requests for the holidays, and cease operations December 31.

"It's a bad economy," says Storm Williams, the founder and webmaster. "Times are tough for all non profits." Williams says they had an aggressive fundraising campaign that started the first of 2008.
Corporations they had previously relied upon have been unable to repeat their support this year. "By April, we received a stack of letters that began with, 'we deeply regret not being able to donate this year.'"

Starting in May, they tried again, managing to shrink a $53,000 deficit to $22,000 by September's end. They also asked for help from deployed troops, sending them US flags to fly in Iraq and Afghanistan to give as thank-you gifts for the more generous donors. "We are so grateful," said David, one of the site's moderators trying to drum up fundraising. "Soldiers and Marines have flown flags for us, sending them back with certificates signed by their Commanders. It's an activity we used to arrange for the members. It was a lot of fun, 2-3 times a year and most importantly, for free. Now it's just to survive."

"Right now, we are just looking to get donations....

Go read the rest at A Soldiers Perspective here. Thanks, CJ.


[UPDATE: BlackFive has issued their readers a challenge. Go here to see what that challenge is - how you can meet it. I know you can :) ]

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Every Day Heroes

Meet Staff Sergeant Stephen Gouak:

As an explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team leader of the United States Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant Stephen Gouak has one of the most hazardous jobs there is, going closer to bombs, not farther away. During his tour in Iraq, Gouak led his team in disabling 190 IEDs, 1 suicide truck bomb, and over 45 weapons caches with a net weight of 6,300 pounds. His team’s tremendous efforts saved many lives.

One particular instance stands out from his time there. In July 2007, his team got a call to assist another EOD unit collecting explosives after a fierce firefight. Once there, his group began recovering and disarming munitions in the area. They found more than 110 IEDs, plus suicide belts still on the dead bodies of the enemies. Altogether, the bombs weighed nearly 400 pounds. The team began to load up the explosives to be removed from the area. Suddenly, insurgents attacked again. For two hours, the American forces endured a barrage of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Gouak led the team’s in their defense against the ambush.

A horrible thought struck him: What if the enemy rounds hit the pile of ordnance? Realizing the catastrophe that would ensue, Gouak seized the initiative, and evacuated the bombs from the area. Because of his quick thinking and steadfast courage, Gouak stopped what could have been a disaster for the troops there that day.

Thanks to Staff Sergeant Stephen Gouak’s actions during his deployment, his team cleared an extraordinary amount of explosives. Without these efforts, many lives, coalition and Iraqi, would have been lost. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his overall achievements in Iraq. (source)

Thank you for your service, Staff Sergeant Gouak!

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B*N*S*N1

Rangers receive awards for valor

Sep 30, 2008
BY Bob Reinert

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - It was so dark in that area of Iraq the night of April 26, 2008, Spc. Joe Gibson wasn't certain what he had just stepped on as he walked through the chest-high grass between a series of two-foot-deep irrigation ditches.

Gibson, a mortarman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, took two more steps forward and then turned around to investigate.

"It's my job to make sure, so I turned around to make sure," Gibson recalled. "I started moving the grass out of the way to see what I had stepped on."

It was an insurgent, who raised his AK-47 rifle toward Gibson.

"He had an advantage on me," Gibson said. "I knew he would have shot me first, so I just dived on him."

As they struggled, the insurgent uttered the word "bomb" in English. He was wearing an explosive suicide vest.

"I thought at that moment that I probably was going to die, but I didn't care," Gibson said. "There was nothing I could do about it, so I kept on doing what I was doing."

He ultimately shot and killed the insurgent, saving the lives of all the Rangers around him. For that and his other actions that night, Gibson, 23, was awarded the Silver Star at a ceremony Sept. 26 at the Evergreen Theater on Fort Lewis.

Gibson was one of 45 Soldiers from the 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. who received combat awards following their recent deployment at the ceremony, presided over by Adm. Eric T. Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla. Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commanding general, I Corps and Fort Lewis, was in attendance.

"You are a special breed," Olson told the assembled Rangers. "We do ask a lot of you. It's all a part of your job. It's a calling. And for that, the nation and I thank you, and we are fiercely proud of you."

Olson called Gibson's actions "awesome, and we were all inspired by them."

Prior to Gibson's encounter with the insurgent, the Rangers had been inserted by helicopter.

"It was in the middle of the night," said Master Sgt. Bryan Barker, Gibson's platoon sergeant. "It was a very dark night, about zero illumination. We were just out kind of in the middle of nowhere."

After landing, the Rangers were met by intense small-arms and machine-gun fire. They immediately took two casualties, including a member of Gibson's squad.

"The first thing that I wanted to do was just get to him," Gibson said. "Me and another guy moved to him immediately."

Under fire, they treated the Soldier and saw to it that he and the other casualty were evacuated.

"It was physically demanding," Gibson admitted. "It's your buddy there, and you don't want to quit. He's all right. He lived through that."

A native of Yale, Okla., who joined the Army in May 2005, Gibson is married to Sgt. Samantha Gibson of the 61st Chemical Company. They met three years ago at Fort Lewis. Shortly after the raid, Spc. Gibson reenlisted for six years to become an infantry team leader in 3rd Platoon, A Co.

"That's what I joined the Army to do," said Gibson of that night last April. "I feel honored to get that chance to do what I did.

"I was just doing what I had to do. I don't really think I deserve anything special for that."

Bob Reinert is a reporter with Fort Lewis' Northwest Guardian
(source)

Rangers lead the way!!!!! (The emphasis in the above is mine...lol)

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B*N*S*N2

Paras return from Afghanistan to brand new accommodation

2 Oct 08

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment have been moving into their new home in the purpose-built rooms in Merville Barracks at Colchester Garrison this week after returning from a six month operational tour in Afghanistan.

Members of 3 PARA moving into their new accommodation
[Picture: Cpl Rupert Frere RLC]

The soldiers are moving from their old rooms in Hyderabad Barracks into the second and final phase of the £560 million development at Merville Barracks, which was completed in June 2008.

The centrepiece of the new Barracks is the new junior ranks single living accommodation (JRSLA), where each soldier has their own room with en-suite bathroom. These are built in 69-room blocks, split into flatlets of between six and eight rooms, each with a communal cooking and cleaning area, and common room. This makes a considerable change from the previous accommodation in Colchester, much of which dates back to the 1930s and 40s, and in some cases to Victorian times.

Private Ryan Hanks got back from Afghanistan last Friday, Friday 26 September 2008, with B Company and is enjoying his new surroundings:

"We were in four-man rooms before at our old barracks" said Pte Hanks. "We hadn't seen these before we moved in on Friday so when I saw it, it was mega. Everyone has got a double bed and you've got your own bathroom now as well. We've also got a washing machine in the other room which is good."

Soldiers making the most of one of the communal kitchen areas
[Picture: Cpl Rupert Frere RLC]

Major Aidan Coogan, Regimental Adjutant of The Parachute Regiment, said:

"The move into new accommodation, which is of a standard that our soldiers deserve, has actually been a long journey from Aldershot to Colchester.

"We are absolutely delighted that we now have accommodation and working conditions of the highest quality that befit the work that our modern soldiers do."..

There is more, Go here to find out.

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B*N*S*N3

Displaced Families Return to Al Khwalis

Thursday, 02 October 2008 By Sgt. Mark Albright
14th Public Affairs Detachment

AL KHWALIS — More than 100 Individually Displaced families returned to their homes recently in the town of Al Khwalis. The event was celebrated by a welcome ceremony and is a significant mark in the reconciliation process. The families left the area when tensions mounted after the Iraqi Army cleared the area of Al Qaeda last year.

“Today was a ceremony that represents the reconciling of differences between Sunni and Shia families,” said Capt. Roger Miranda, executive officer, 1st Battalion, 19th Brigade, 5th Division, Military Transition Team. “These people have been living in the town of Hib Hib since they were displaced.”

There were more than 500 people who returned to Khwalis in the reconciliation process that had been ongoing since January. The reconciliation council met multiple times and decided who is allowed to come back.

“I am so happy today because these families are able to come back to their homes,” said sheik Ratif Al Sa’adi, a member of the reconciliation council for Al Khwalis, “This is a great step for the council and for the people returning.”

Read the rest here.

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B*N*S*N 4

Private Desjarlais receives the Most Improved Award from LGen Andrew Leslie, as Aboriginal Chief Lawrence Joseph looks on.

Exercise Bold Eagle mixes First Nations, military

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Project Number:08-0560

Wainwright, Alberta – Exercise Bold Eagle, a six-week program that combines First Nation traditions with the Army Reserve Basic Military Qualification, opens the door to the military for young First Nation people.

In August, 57 newly-qualified young men and women received congratulations from Lieutenant-General (LGen) Andrew Leslie, Chief of Land Staff and Chief Lawrence Joseph of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations at the Bold Eagle 2008 graduation ceremony.

Before the start of military training, recruits participate in a four-day culture camp which eases their transition into the military. The camp allows the elders of their community to explain the ways of the warrior and the traditions of First Nations people.

Private Nigel Crow from Lethbridge, Alberta, zeroes his C-7 rifle.

Read the rest

here.

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B*N*S*N bonus!!!!!!!!!

I had to add this one..a subject close to my heart:

Secretary of Army encourages MilBloggers

Sep 30, 2008
BY Lindy Kyzer

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Army News Service, Sept. 30, 2008) -- Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Chief of Public Affairs Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner participated in a live blogger's roundtable panel at the 2008 MilBlog Conference held Sept. 20 in conjunction with the Blog World Expo.

The live blogger's roundtable was an inaugural event for the conference, providing military bloggers with the opportunity to ask questions of Army leadership.

The 3rd annual MilBlog Conference brought together key military bloggers, including active-duty Soldiers, military supporters, civilians and veterans who blog about military issues.

Secretary Geren led off the panel by taking questions from bloggers on topics from policy to how he would rate his own Internet savvy.

"I use the Internet a great deal," said Geren. "I use it for research; I have many Web sites that I go to regularly as a way to research and get news to stay informed.

Read the rest here.

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(pictures courtesy of They Have Names)

Amy Galvez is a Gold Star Mother. Like so many Gold Star Mothers, she honours her son - Adam - by serving and supporting troops still fighting on. My friend CJ sent me the following email about her latest project:

Amy Galvez Is Off To Boot Camp

October 1, 2008 By CJ
Posted in Charities/Contests

For those have known me for any amount of time know that I’ve worked hard on They Have Names to ensure that our fallen Soldiers have a name and that their story is told. One of the stories I told was that of Marine Corporal Adam Galvez. I was able to tell his story mainly through interviews with his mother, Amy.

Well, since Adam’s death, Amy has been very busy about the business of supporting other Marines and troops. She was instrumental in getting a street named Adam in their hometown in spite of the opposition to the war by their mayor. And now, she’s working to raise money for the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund by putting herself through Marine Corps bootcamp…sort of.

We are going to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot to run the obstacle course used only by Marine Recruits. This is three mile course dotted with 17 obstacles including trenches, fox holes, wall climbs, tunnels, push ups, just to name a few, all with Drill Instructors hot on our heels to “encourage” us through the course.

BUT WHY?
To benefit injured Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by raising money for the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. IMSFF is an awesome organization that has given over 8,000 grants totaling more than 22 million dollars to injured Marines and their families.

Our goal is to raise $7,500. With 15 team members each raising $500 we will easily meet our goal. I am asking you to make a donation to support my participation in Boot Camp Challenge to benefit injured Marines. Donations will be accepted through CoolMarines.org. Following the event, a check will be present to Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. 100% of the money raised will be given to IMSFF. All team members are traveling and participating at their own expense. For more information and to make a donation go to http://www.coolmarines.net/boot_camp_challenge.html

Amy is an awesome Gold Star Mom who has put her heart and soul into everything she does since losing her son to benefit our troops. She spends hours with care packages and other awareness projects and does so quietly, without fanfare or a lot of attention. But, I’m the one bringing attention to this because she can’t do it alone!

Please spread this as far and wide as possible to help Amy meet her goal for a worthy cause.

Go to They Have Names and read about this remarkable family. Then, do what YOU can to help Amy on this one. Thank you.

*cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*

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Wednesday Hero

This Week's Post Was Suggested And Written By Kathi

SSgt. Renee A. Deville
44 years old from Webster New York
401st Civil Affairs Battalion
September 1, 2008


SSGT Renee A. Deville was an Army Reservist who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion from Webster, N.Y. She arrived at Walter Reed August 10, 2006, after being injured in a mortar attack.

While at Walter Reed, Deville was assigned to Chosen Battery, Warrior Transition Brigade, and was among three graduates of the Army's first Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course Stand Alone Common Core offered to Warriors in Transition.

Deville, who successfully completed every aspect of the course from a wheelchair, was lauded by SGT Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston as exemplifying the Army's 'Warrior Ethos', at the graduation ceremony for the course on March 28, 2008.

Deville was also the impetus for a new playground being built behind the Mologne House at Walter Reed in 2007.

An October 2007 Washington Post article about the opening of the playground says that SSGT Deville's mention of her children's limited recreational options to Col. Bruce Haselden, the garrison commander, helped set in motion the playground project.

Staff Sgt. Renee Antoinette Deville died September 1, 2008 in her room at the Mologne House at Walter Reed. She was 44.

She is survived by her husband and 4 children, her mother, a brother, and two sisters.

SSGT Deville was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on September 19, 2008.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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Indian Chris
http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com
http://hooahwife.com
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