MY Heroes of the Year: The families

Diane and Ken Fairben


Todd and Lisa Beamer

Katy Soulas addresses students at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School on Sept. 11. Her husband died in the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.

Photos by Johanna Ginsberg (read more here or here)

Most of us take our families for granted, expecting them to always be here, a part of our lives every day. For the families pictured above, their lives changed forever on September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of 9/11, the loved ones of those above were rightly hailed as heroes. I originally wrote about Diane and Ken's precious son Keith here, and Lisa Beamer's husband Todd became a very visible face of the loss we all suffered. Katy Soulas, mother of six and wife of Tim - also lost on 9/11 - has also been written about here.

What all of these families share, but what I have not seen written about, is that they are all HEROES, every single day. I saw Diane quoted somewhere (or maybe she said it to me ;) ) as saying that heroes are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Looking at those pictures, you could - perhaps - be excused for thinking you are looking at ordinary people, but they ARE heroes. On that morning eight years ago, each of the family members of the 9/11 heroes could have no idea of how the events that unfolded would change their lives. And since that day, Diane and Ken, Lisa Beamer, Katy Soulas and so many more, have daily proved that heroes do always walk among us. Having been priviledged to hear the hearts of Diane and Ken, for instance, I know that none of the families would have chosen to be forever linked to 9/11, but it is how they have chosen to live their lives, in honour of their loved ones, that shows such heroism. In the face of such enormous tragedy and loss, it would have been so easy for them to crawl into a hole and shut out the world, and who could judge them for that? Not I.

A friend of mine said recently that this era of heroism began on 9/11, and so it did, but there are many other heroes in this Global War on Terror. Daniel Pearl's parents are also heroes. Their hearts broke as they watched, with all of us, their son being murdered and that heinous act was broadcast around the world.

Judea and Ruth Pearl formed a foundation to promote those values which Daniel lived.


Check that out here. Many of the family heroes have worked on a daily basis to be a voice for the values that their loved ones lived. To the mainstream media, the heroes we have lost are just statistics, or fodder for the 15 second soundbite on the evening news, but for these families - heroes every one - every day sees new opportunities to ensure that the emphasis is on how their loved ones LIVED. They are the keepers of the legacy, and the living embodiment of the difference their loved ones made in the world.

Since 9/11, many other families have lived heroic lives with courage, grace and such dignity. From where I sit, it is the families of our fallen heroes who deserve enormous credit as heroes. In England, families of the fallen are now being given the Elizabeth Cross, which I wrote about here. All the American 9/11 families were given the Medal of Valor by President George W Bush - the civilian equivalent of the military Medal of Honor. Yes, that is appropriate recognition, but merely a small token of the heroic lives the families must now live minute by minute, day by day, for the rest of their lives.

I have been blessed to meet and come to love more than a few family heroes. I have shared their lives here on occasion. Robert and the Stokely family spring to mind:

I have had the priviledge of meeting Robert, who humbles me by calling me his 'friend.' Robert daily proves to me what a hero he is, as he heads up the Mike Stokely Foundation here, which works to maintain the legacy that his beloved son Mike lived for. You really should go and read about Mike's life at that link. Mike's sister, Abbey, is also a hero every single day.

There are a whole lot more family heroes, of course, and you can meet just a few of them over at my place here.

Wednesday Hero

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Olga Elliott


Chief Warrant Officer 2 Olga Elliott, a Multi-National Corps-Iraq human resources technician, poses with MNC-I Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe after finishing the Bobby Crim 10-Miler Aug. 22, at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Elliott, a San Diego native, finished the race in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 57 seconds, earning her top female honors.

Photo Courtesy United States Army

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.

Women Have the Power in COIN: Female Engagement Teams

From the Combined Arms Center Blog:

USA and USMC Counterinsurgency Center Blog

Women Have the Power in COIN: Female Engagement Teams

In 2005, I was sitting under a tree at Shira, in Kapisa Province with Minister Stanakzia who was in charge of the Disarmament of Illegally Armed Groups (DIAG) program. I was struck by the fact that there were no women to be seen anywhere. I mentioned this to the Minister and he explained to me that although there were no women present, in Afghan culture they were quite powerful in the home. He said that the great interest in cell phones and the riots that had taken place because of a lack of phone cards was generated by Afghan wives pushing their husbands to keep up with the Jone’s, or in this case, the Barakzias. Being married, I knew exactly what he was talking about. In spite of the fact that I was a rough, tough army guy, I too seemed to make very few decisions at home. It seems gender dynamics were not that different even in the backwaters of Afghanistan.

After eight years of engagement with the Afghans, someone has finally realized that we have been missing out on 50% of the population who have an enormous influence within the family and especially on adolescent males who make up the recruiting pool of the insurgents. Best of all, the Taliban by culture cannot talk to Afghan women and therefore, we have a monopoly.

The best way to exploit this is the Female Engagement Team (FET). A FET is a small, all-female element, 4-6 members, with the task of engaging the Afghan female community. This construct needs to be better exploited in order to communicate and win the support of the most influential part of the population. We should start integrating this more into our training and TTPs. Your thoughts?

LCol JJ Malevich (Canadian Exchange Officer), Director of COIN, US Army/USMC Counterinsurgency Center

(source) There is a lively debate going on in the comments on this piece. Follow the link and check it out.

H/T The Thunder Run

Merry Christmas From Heaven

On this Christmas Eve, my heart keeps turning to the families, the heroes of America. As I am preparing to hug my family, I am so aware - as always - that for many families in the US, Christmas will see an empty place at their table.

Dena Yllescas is the wife of Captain Rob Yllescas. Make no mistake about it, Dena IS every bit as much a hero as her beloved husband. Little Julia and Eva are every day as much heroes as their precious daddy. I have written about this family before, and if you don't know their story - and you really SHOULD - you can find Dena's beautiful writing on her home page here.

I am on Dena's mailing list, so every time she writes a new entry, I am notified. Every entry rips my heart out, but there is one that Dena wrote recently that slammed me hard. I asked Dena for her permission to post it here, so that more Americans would get a sense of what Christmas is like for the families left behind. Read on:

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Merry Christmas from Heaven

Last week I went on a much needed "mini vacation" to Texas without the girls. I made a quick trip to Killeen to check on my house (which was in pretty good shape except for some cobwebs and nasty toilets!) then it was off to Dallas for the rest of the weekend. I was able to do some golfing and shopping. I got back last night to a very cranky little girl ( I think she had too much fun with her grandpas and grandmas!) and another girl who wanted to start decorating for Christmas NOW. I have always loved Christmas and tend to have a weakness for Christmas decorations. So, as you can imagine, I was a little overwhelmed with my 6 TUBS of Christmas decorations and 3 Christmas trees!!!! Of course no decorating can be done while Eva's awake because that would just be pointless! So, I told Julia that today I would decorate as much as I could while she was at school and Eva was at daycare and have the Christmas tree ready for her to decorate when Eva goes to bed. This year is definitely going to be interesting with Eva. I have no idea what she's going to do with all these decorations. I'm just hoping not too many get broken!! Anyways, as I was going through our decorations, I came across things that I knew were in the boxes but really didn't want to see them: our christmas stockings with Rob's name on his, ornaments from our first Christmas together, and a Christmas picture frame with a picture of Rob, Julia and me in it. I had completely forgotten about that. It's sad to know that the last time these decorations were put up, Rob was with us (I obviously didn't put any decorations out last year). I do have to chuckle about the last Christmas we had together, I had finally convinced Rob to put up Christmas lights on the house (which mind you I had bought 3 years before and were still in the box). So, he's up on the ladder when all of a sudden the ladder gives way and he crashed onto concrete! It scared me to death. But, besides a sore knee and bruised pride, he was fine. I just assumed that was the last of our Christmas light decorations so I started tearing the clips off the roof. Rob came out and said "What are you doing?! Heck no. I about killed myself putting those stupid things on and I'm going to finish the job." So, up the ladder he went again. Determined that man was!!! And the lights looked great. :) As I continue to go through ornaments, I also come across one that I received from a friend after Rob died. I couldn't have found it at a better time. As hard as Christmas is going to be for us, I know that Rob will be right here. With the ornament, came a poem. It reads:

"Merry Christmas from Heaven"

I still hear the songs

I still see the lights

I still feel your love

on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes

and all of your cares

I'll even remind you

to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you

you still make me proud

You stand head and shoulders

above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment

to stay in His grace

I came here before you

to help set your place

You don't have to be

perfect all of the time

He forgives you the slip

If you continue the climb

To my family and friends

please be thankful today

I'm still close beside you

In a a new special place

I love you all dearly

now don't shed a tear

Cause I'm spending my

Christmas with Jesus this year

--John Wm. Mooney, Jr

Here's another story for you to prove that Rob is with us: Last week I put Eva down for a nap. She has a stuffed baby doll she sleeps with. When she woke up from her nap, I went in to get her and that doll was sitting on the edge of her cribrail against the wall. I asked her if she did that and she just giggled. I asked her to do it again, and she couldn't. She tried several times. I have no doubt that daddy was showing us that he is with us at all times....(here)

If you know me at all, you know I absolutely believe that love never dies. I KNOW - without a shadow of a doubt - that those we love, and who love us, never leave us. Just a Dena writes often, I know that Rob is watching over those he loves the most, and that will continue. I also KNOW that even though there will tables across America (and in my other home lands...lol) with an empty seat, those who are loved WILL be there, watching over their families.

{{{{{{{{Dena, Julia and Eva}}}}}}}} and all the families who have served our country - who continue to serve - I proudly stand up next to you. God bless the USA, and all of you.

"Santa...quite possibly our favorite VIP"

Staff Sgts. Karen Hurley and Corey Reynolds, both members of the New York Air National Guard's Eastern Air Defense Sector's Alpha flight, take a peek at Santa's progress in the North Pole. The air defense controllers at EADS will track Santa Claus over the eastern U.S. during his Christmas Eve journey across the nation. EADS personnel will work diligently through the night on Christmas Eve to maintain ongoing contact with Santa as he continues his travels across the states (U.S. Air Force photo by Brooke Davis, Eastern Air Defense Sector)

New York Air Guardsmen track Santa's arrival

Story courtesy of the New York National Guard

ROME, N.Y. (12/21/09) - Once again this Christmas Eve, members of the New York Air National Guard will play a key roll as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks the progress of Santa Claus around the world.

The air defense controllers at the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) here will employ radar to track Santa Claus over the eastern U.S. during his Christmas Eve journey across the nation. EADS personnel will work diligently through the night on Christmas Eve to maintain ongoing contact with Santa as he continues his travels across the states.

EADS is responsible for controlling the air defense system over the eastern United States.

"This is quite possibly our favorite "VIP" that we track," said the unit's Deputy Commander for Operations, Col. Wade Dewey. "The men and women of the Eastern Air Defense Sector take great pride in being on duty Christmas Eve, monitoring the skies as Santa journeys across the east coast."...

Read more on their tracking Santa here.

Wednesday Hero

With only two days until Christmas, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and to remind you to keep our men and women that are not able to be with their friends and families this time of year in your thoughts a prayers. They do so much without ever asking for anything in return.

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.

Every Day Hero

Meet Royal Navy Surgeon Commander Graham Hill:

Navy surgeon saves lives and limbs in Afghanistan

A People In Defence news article

18 Nov 09

Currently on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan, Royal Navy Surgeon Commander Graham Hill believes that this is his hardest tour so far.

Surgeon Commander Graham Hill, Royal Navy
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

Cdr Hill, who is normally based at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, is currently saving lives and limbs in his post at the operating table of Camp Bastion's field hospital in Helmand province.

He deployed to Afghanistan in October 2009 for an eight-week tour as the UK Joint Forces Medical Group's Field Hospital Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Cdr Hill said:

"My main role here is to assess and operate on the traumatic limb injuries which come through the Emergency Department's doors. I also treat the usual breaks and sprains from physical exercise but I'd say about eighty per cent of my work is on trauma."

The British-run medical facility at Camp Bastion cares for British, American, International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army battlefield casualties, as well as local Afghan civilians who have been caught in cross fire or injured by the Taliban's homemade roadside bombs:

"This is my fourth deployment to Afghanistan," Cdr Hill said. "Previously the hospital was in tents so it is the first time I've worked in this purpose-built facility.

"The whole hospital is designed to treat very serious battlefield wounds and has first class specialists and state-of-the-art medical equipment to do that effectively."...

There is more, of course, about this hero and you can find it here.

Thank YOU for your service, Cdr. Hill!

Wednesday Hero:Milblogs Go Silent Today

This Weeks Post Was Suggested & Written By Greta


This week's Wednesday Hero is both an individual, and a group. The group we honor are the milblogs: the military blogs, spouse blogs, and support blogs who bring you the news and information you can get nowhere else. The information and news that matter to you. The individual we honor today is C. J. Grisham.

Army Master Sgt. C. J. Grisham has always led from the front, from combat that earned him the Bronze Star with V device, to doing right by the men he led. His honesty won him readership and respect, from the White House on down. Yet, when he stood up for his children in school, his command did not stand by him. You can read more at Military Times to get the full story.

Please donate via PayPal; or you can log into PayPal on your own, go to the send money page, and put in his email: dj_chcknhawk@yahoo.com; or, you can send donations directly to:

Grisham Legal Fund
c/o Redstone Federal Credit Union
220 Wynn Drive
Huntsville, AL 35893
Please write "Grisham Legal Fund" in the memo line if you use this option.

Milblogs have been a vital link in getting accurate news and information about the military, and military operations, to you. Today, many milblogs are gone and others are under attack from within and without. Today, you have the chance to imagine a world without milblogs, and to do something about it. Make your voice heard by writing your congressional representatives and others, and by making donations as you see fit.

The battle for freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas is fought on many fronts and in many ways. Without your help, the battle may well be lost.

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.

Mail call: Sorting the mail in Afghanistan

Christmas in Afghanistan

Posted: 14 Dec 2009 07:44 AM PST

Check out this video showing postal packages arriving in Afghanistan for distribution to the troops!

The link shows footage of service members volunteering at a Post Office in Afghanistan to sort through more than 200,000 pounds of holiday mail destined for the troops.

http://www.militarynewsnetwork.com/videos/video346.htm

Note all the Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes! This video was produced by Marine Staff Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook for the Military News Network.

On a side note, this is a reminder to properly package all boxes. They need to be "tough."
For additional information on shipping packages to military personnel stationed at APO/FPO addresses anywhere in the world, go to usps.com/supportingourtroops.

[Bratnote: Couldn't find the video on YouTube, so follow the link above for a great video on the Military News Network. Be sure and reads the comments, too..]

H/T Jane

*cross-posted from over yonder...lol*

Every Day Hero

Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton [Photo credit Tracy A. Bailey]

Ranger receives Silver Star for combat actions

Dec 9, 2009

By Tracy A. Bailey, 75th Ranger Regiment Public Affairs

FORT BENNING, Ga. (USASOC News Service, Dec. 2, 2009) -- A squad leader with the 75th Ranger Regiment was awarded the Silver Star for risking who his life to save two fellow Rangers in Afghanistan.

"Any Ranger would have done the same thing," said Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Rangers. "The Ranger Creed says, 'I will never leave a fallen comrade.' There was no moment of thinking about what to do. I had to get my brothers and the most important thing in my mind was how hurt they were."

Norton led his squad on an objective, Aug. 4-5, to raid an enemy combatant's headquarters camp in the mountains of northwestern Khowst Province in Afghanistan.

While moving to the objective, Norton and one of his team leaders were alerted to possible enemy combatants along the route and moved forward to assess the situation. As Norton and his team leader were attempting to identify the possible enemy in the valley, a seven to nine man enemy element initiated a complex, near ambush on Norton's squad from the high ground with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire from a position of 25 meters to the squad's front.

"The fire came from our 12 o'clock and then maybe a couple of seconds later from our right and left," Norton said.

Behind the first enemy rocket-propelled grenade team, a medium machine gun on elevated ground to the northwest engaged them with highly effective fire. Two more enemy combatants were on the slope of the valley to the west, engaged the Ranger squad with an AK-47 and rocket-propelled grenades along the long axis of their formation, while another group of enemy fighters were on elevated terrain to the east, raked them with small arms fire from the rear of the Ranger squad formation.

The multiple enemy positions had effectively enveloped Norton's squad from multiple directions at a distance of 25 to 50 meters, leaving Norton and his element pinned to the floor of the valley by the intense and accurate small arms fire.

The valley left no room for maneuver; Norton, his squad and the machine gun team element behind them immediately returned fire, but they were unable to gain fire superiority over the well-established enemy.

After the second rocket-propelled grenades knocked two of his Rangers temporarily unconscious and blasted the rest of his squad with shrapnel and debris and realizing his element could not gain fire superiority, Norton shouted for his squad to break contact.

When Norton realized that two Rangers had not gotten up and were still exposed to the heavy volume of enemy fire from the high ground to the east and west, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Norton turned around and with marked distinction, purposefully charged back into the interlocking fire of the enemy ambush kill zone in order to recover his downed Rangers.

"The example of personal courage that Staff Sergeant Norton showed, to get his men out of the kill zone is a testament to his character," said Maj. Keith Carter, A Company commander. "NCOs such as Staff Sergeant Norton are the reason I wanted to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment, and it is an honor to lead them."

Without hesitation, Norton dove down into the midst of enemy fire with his unconscious comrades, uncertain of their status.

"There was nothing fancy going on in my head besides hoping they weren't dead," said Norton.

While the rest of the element attempted to suppress the enemy, and lying next to the Rangers, Norton "started shaking and yelling as quietly as I could."

After reviving his Rangers, Norton led them back to cover through the hail of direct fire and rocket-propelled grenade strikes, saving their lives and bringing his entire squad out of the enemy onslaught intact.

"I'm proud of the actions of my squad, because we continued the mission after that," said Norton. "It was just two minutes out of our overall mission."

As his platoon fought off the enemy ambush with direct fire, mortars and close air support, Norton quickly assessed his casualties and reorganized his squad to return to the fight.

Norton continued leading his squad in the follow-on assaults through two more direct fire contacts, killing two enemy combatants.

"We receive a lot of great training here at 3rd Ranger Battalion and I was just acting on instinct," said Norton.

The training conducted by Rangers means everything on the battlefield.

"The goal of the company and battalion is to create the most realistic scenarios possible while minimizing risk," Carter said. We constantly integrate new enemy tactics from overseas into our training so that we are ready in any situation."

The overall assault force killed 20 enemy fighters, destroyed two enemy anti-aircraft guns and several other weapons, explosives and military supplies on the objective resulting in the disruption of a major enemy headquarters and encampment.

Norton joined the Army from his hometown of Pensacola, Fla., June 2004, after graduating from West Highland Christian Academy and has deployed six times in support of operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. He is the son of Jimmy and Deborah Norton of Holly, Mich.

(source)

Thank you for your service, Staff Sgt!

B*N*S*N1

12/10/2009 - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen greets members of the U.S. Naval Academy Pep Band and cheerleaders as they rally in the Pentagon Dec. 10, 2009, in anticipation of the 103rd annual Army Navy football game. (DoD photo by Mass Communication 1st Class Chad McNeeley, U.S. Navy/Released)

Because I hear tell there is some kind of game on this weekend!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ARMY!!!

B*N*S*N2

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Anne MacDonald, deputy to the commanding general of the Afghan National Police Development, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, congratulates new recruits at Afghanistan’s first female exclusive ANP training center in Jalalabad. MacDonald attended the grand opening to celebrate a new evolution in security for the country. The facility was dedicated to the memory of Malalai Kakar, who was assassinated by the Taliban in 2008, and revered as a pioneer for women’s freedoms in Afghanistan and served as the deputy commander for the ANP in Kandahar. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO)[source here via ISAF on FB]

B*N*S*N3

A NG two-fer:

Guardsmen’s instincts and training save day after car crash

By Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa
Florida National Guard

Staff Sgt. Sergio Valdes, of 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, was one of three Florida Army National Guard Soldiers who help medically treat victims of a traffic accident near Cocoa Beach, Fla., Dec. 6, 2009. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (12/10/09) - When Staff Sgt. Sergio Valdes saw a dog running down Interstate 95 with its leash dragging behind it, he knew there was trouble.

Valdes, a squad leader with 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, based in Miami, said he slowed his vehicle down immediately because the dog didn’t just look like an ordinary stray.

Valdes and two other Florida National Guard Soldiers were traveling from Miami in South Florida to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in North Florida on Dec. 6, when they noticed the dog running through traffic on the interstate near Cocoa Beach.

That was when the Soldiers saw a vehicle on the other side of the road, upside down on its roof in nearly ten inches of water; the dog and three people had escaped, but one woman was still trapped inside.

Although cars were already pulling over and some people on cell phone were calling for help, it was the Guardsmen who reacted quickly.

Valdes, along with Staff Sgts. Gino Astudillo and Luis Robles of Alpha Company based in Hollywood, Fla., leapt from their van, dodged oncoming traffic and started running toward the accident. . ..

Yes, there is more on this B*N*S*N here. And then there is this:

North Dakota firefighters share their knowledge in Kosovo

Story courtesy of the North Dakota National Guard

Staff Sgt. Corey A. Ebach listens with the help of a linguist Vallmid Kalesh as the driver of the Hani I Elezit/Djerenal Jankovich fire department truck explains the mechanical problems on the 36-year old vehicle. (Photo courtesy of the North Dakota National Guard)

HANI I ELEZIT/DJENERAL JANKOVICH, Kosovo (12/8/09) - Steep mountain roads have been the only way to reach some of the outlying villages around here. During inclement weather even a four-wheel drive vehicle can have difficulty reaching some of these areas.

The roads can make it difficult in times of crisis, such as a fire, for rescue workers to access homes. Making matters worse, the municipality's fire truck was in need of a little attention.

Liaison Monitoring Team (LMT) 8, part of Multi-National Task Force-East, is responsible for this area. Two of LMT 8's members, 1st Lt. Jake M. Larson, of Warren, Minn., and Sgt. Dale H. Clemens, of Noonan, N.D., have experience working for rural volunteer fire departments.

"We heard from the last rotation the fire department was nonexistent as far as fire-fighting capabilities. With Lieutenant Larson and I on the on the team, it piqued our interest. To us a key point to a community is to have an active fire department, whether it is volunteer or full-time," Clemens said.

Soon after arriving in Hani I Elezit/Djeneral Jankovich for the first time, the Soldiers learned of the firefighters' equipment concerns. The main focus was the 36-year-old fire truck that had a few maintenance issues.

"Their fire truck does work, but it lacks the power to make it up the mountain roads to the surrounding villages with a full load of water," Clemens said....

More here.

B*N*S*N4

Crowds of well-wishers cheer soldiers of 4th Battalion The Rifles as they march through the streets of Salisbury [Picture: Adrian Harlen, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

Salisbury welcomes 4 RIFLES from gruelling Afghan tour

A History and Honour news article

9 Dec 09

450 soldiers from 4th Battalion The Rifles (4 RIFLES), who recently returned from a gruelling deployment to Afghanistan, were honoured by cheering crowds in Salisbury this week.

Led by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, the soldiers, many in their desert combat uniforms, were met by cheering crowds of well-wishers who lined the historic city's streets as they marched proudly from the Cathedral Close to the Market Square for an inspection by the Mayor.

The Riflemen have recently returned to their barracks at Bulford after five successful but tough months in Afghanistan where they were part of the Election Support Force.

On marching through Salisbury on Monday 7 December 2009, their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, said:

"It has been wonderful to see such large crowds turn up to support us despite the terrible weather. It means so much to every soldier to receive this welcome from the people of Salisbury."...

To read what they were doing, go read the rest of this great B*N*S*N story here.

Ft Hood day of healing

Friday, December 11th is going to be a special day at Ft. Hood Tx. The kind folks at the USO along with the MWR and AAFES have put together a great event to facilitate the continued healing that Ft. Hood and its families are still going through. Bloggers, tweeters, people on Facebook can all help. Please read below to learn more and to see what you can do to spread the word.

This Friday, December 11, Fort Hood and the USO – with the support of Fort Hood FMWR and AAFES – is proud to host “Fort Hood Community Strong,” a day for healing, fun and entertainment. Held at Hood Stadium, this event will feature free carnival rides, games, food and top-notch celebrity performers. The biggest gift we can give the community, however, is to honor them with our sincere thanks and support.

Since the November 5 shooting, the USO has stepped up to provide support for the community in any way they can. From grief counseling to the two Mobile USO units providing meals – the USO has been ready to assist the troops, families and command at Fort Hood however needed.

Tomorrow is a day where we are asking everyone to remember to say “thanks” to help continue the healing process. We are asking influential bloggers like you to join us in our cross-web effort to support and honor the troops by dedicating a post thanking the troops and expressing support for their community.

As part of your post, there are a variety of ways you can help us activate the public in supporting the troops.
• Included a link to the Community Strong microsite or directly to the Remembrance Wall that allows anyone, anywhere in the world, to express their gratitude for the military’s service and sacrifice;
• Create a video expressing your support and posting it on the USO YouTube Channel;
• Follow @The_USO on Twitter and Tweet your support with a link to your post with the #communitystrong hashtag;
• Join us on Facebook and express your support there; and/or
• Post the “Fort Hood, Community Strong” badge on your blog’s sidebar.



As a symbol of unity for this campaign, we are asking all participating bloggers to include the following language at the bottom of their post. It includes additional, relevant links for your readers to get involved and support Community Strong.

This post was created as part of the USO’s Community Strong event at Fort Hood –a day for healing, fun and entertainment to uplift the spirits of the Fort Hood community in the wake of the Nov. 5 shooting incident. You can help show your support for Fort Hood and its more than 349,000 military personnel, family members, retirees and civilian employees by visiting the Community Strong website, Tweeting your support with the #CommunityStrong hashtag, leaving comments on the Official USO Blog and donating to the USO’s ongoing efforts to support our troops.
http://facebook.com/theUSO
http://twitter.com/the_USO

Found the above via Troy (Bouhammers).

There is so much to read on the Ft Hood site. There is this:

"The Great Place" Responds

December 4, 2009

Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military installation in the world, is home to tens of thousands of soldiers and their families, along with the schools and recreational services that make up a vibrant community.

Lovingly referred to as "The Great Place," a shocked community is doing what residents say is their only option: providing as much love and support as they can in the wake of the horrific November 5 shootings.

Robin Crouse, director of USO Fort Hood, began making calls around post to see how the USO could help. While still in lockdown, Crouse called the garrison command and learned that hundreds of troops around post needed water, soft drinks, and snacks. She arranged for the SWAT team to pick up the keys to the USO warehouse and gave them instructions to take whatever was needed. When the lockdown ended at 8 P.M., the USO and the rest of the community swung into action. The USO staff became the focal point for feeding the more than 600 investigators, military police, and soldiers who were working around the dock. Local businesses kept the USO's phone ringing. Texas Road House, Bush's Chicken, Big Hoss BBQ, and others offered discounts and donated meals. Chevrolet helped with a van to ferry food to the site; they also chipped in money for gas.

When USO staffers heard there was a family of an injured soldier that couldn't find a place to stay, they went out and bought towels and comfort items to give them some basics, and to let them know they weren't in this alone.

"It was just the fact that [the USO and the community] were out there so quickly," said U.S. Army Specialist Judge Thomas, who is stationed at Fort Hood and volunteers at the USO in his spare time. "For it being such a sudden thing and everything rushed together, I think it went very smoothly. People just gelled together and helped out." (source)

For many of us, we watched in awe as people across America jumped in and supported our troops. Yes, even outside America some of us asked "what can we do, to honour our heroes?"

USO Fort Hood Locks Down ... and Then Helps Out

December 4, 2009

Robin Crouse, director of USO Fort Hood, received a phone call at 2 p.m. on November 5, telling her to lock down the Center immediately. Someone was shooting soldiers on post. She immediately locked the building and told the 35 soldiers at the Center what was going on.

"At the time I was really nervous because we were only a half-mile from the scene," Crouse said. "It was surreal."

While a palpable tension remained, Crouse and the USO's volunteers helped everyone keep calm during those six hours, at a time when everyone felt helpless. She made calls around base to see how the USO could help.

When the lockdown ended, at 8 p.m., the USO and the rest of the community swung into action.

No request was too big or too small. Families of those affected found a place they could call for information and help with lodging or help. Favorite energy drinks were tracked down and Wal-Mart also donated video games and made food deliveries to the base.

On that terrible day, we all watched as so many heroes stepped up. In the aftermath of that awful day, the whole country - including many support groups - came together as one to offer whatever they could. Our military proved, yet again, what exceptional people they are as they lived "Army Strong".

The Ft Hood site has a Wall of Remembrance where you can leave a message of support for all our troops. Go here to do that, and remind our troops that we cherish and honour them.

I wrote about those who fell that day here and here. Take another look at these short profiles and remember those who served.

We will never forget that day, but I choose to remember that even in the midst of such irrational madness, all that is good and right about America the beautiful shone so brightly. Rather than dwell on the actions of one, I choose to focus on the many heroes of that dark day. Our troops and our citizens proved that America will always stand together to overcome any adversity. It IS the American way.

Today, and every day, keep Ft Hood in your prayers. They are America the beautiful.

Wednesday Hero

Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey


Abdul Rashid, a 5-year-old resident of the Nawa district of Afghanistan, receives a dressing for a wound on his face from Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, while a linguist translates at a medical aid station at Patrol Base Jaker Dec. 3. Rashid was injured by a motorcycle earlier that day. Navy hospital corpsmen like Elsey routinely see local residents and children here to treat their wounds.

Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps

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.

Every Day Hero

Meet Major Darin Gaub:

U.S. Army Major Darin Gaub learned a lot on his first deployment to Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004. But it was nothing compared to his second deployment.

During his first deployment, Gaub served as an aviation task force intelligence officer. He provided air crews with intelligence briefings for their daily missions, as well as maintained accountability for headquarters staff and equipment.

“It wasn’t a glorious job, but it needed to be done,” he said.

“That [deployment] told me that I didn’t want to go back to Afghanistan and be in a staff position, that I wanted to go back and be in a leadership position, and go out into the country more.”

He got what he asked for in his second deployment.

“That one was a lot more eventful,” Gaub said. “It was more active, and more hazardous. And more rewarding.”

When Gaub was redeployed to Afghanistan in 2006 he went as the commander of a Blackhawk company. He had gone to flight school in 1998, the same year he was commissioned as an officer. During the first half of the year-long deployment he flew almost eight hours a day.

The 10 Blackhawk helicopters in his company were flown on missions of all kinds. They did everything from accompanying Special Forces on assault missions, to transporting the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division.

However, one of the most intense missions of the whole deployment, Gaub said, was a battlefield circulation mission Gaub piloted over the northeast of the country.

Three Blackhawks and one Apache helicopter were involved in the mission to fly some soldiers over the battlefields where a major offensive was to be started. Each Blackhawk had eight to 10 passengers aboard, Gaub said.

As the four helicopters come down a valley, “we got caught in a complex ambush,” Gaub said. –They were hit with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), and machine gun fire of all different types.

“It created some drama,” he said.

While the first aircraft flew through the ambush unscathed, the second had some damage to its rotor blades. When Gaub, who was piloting one of the Blackhawks, flew through the ambush a RPG exploded right above them, going right through the rotor system, and knocking the helicopter onto its side, he said.

Said Gaub, “I had one crew chief saying ‘All I can see is machine gun fire,’” as he looked straight down at the ground below, “and the other one saying ‘All I can see is sky.”

Somehow, Gaub managed to right the helicopter, and escape the rest of the ambush to a tiny base and air strip in Jalalabad, where they could assess the damage to the Blackhawk.

In Jalalabad they decided that the helicopter could be flown back to their home base in Bagram. However the helicopter was vibrating, and “acting kind of funny,” Gaub said. For safety he flew slowly and no more than 50 feet off the ground,--in case the engine gave out.

“It’s in the back of your mind,” he said. “You’re thinking ‘don’t break, don’t fall apart on me.’ But you can’t do anything about it, so you keep flying.”

When they arrived at Bagram he was able to land, and got the engines to idle.

“And that’s when they shut off,” he said. “And they’re not supposed to do that…My co-pilot and I just kind of looked at each other and we were like ‘Well. That was well-timed.’”

After the fact, everyone involved was pretty shaken up, Gaub said, but he still went out and flew again the next day.

“You don’t have time to stop and think about it,” he said. “You just keep going.”

Gaub earned a Bronze Star for his 2003 to 2004 deployment, and an Air Medal and Combat Action Badge for the 2006 to 2007 deployment. (source)

Thank you for your service, Major!

B*N*S*N1

Col. C.J. Read, commander of the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a resident of Layton, Utah, passes out candy to students in a Taji area school as part of “Operation Back to School,” Nov. 22. Photo courtesy of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

CAMP TAJI — U.S. Soldiers here visited a local school in need to distribute school supply kits to the nearly 300 students as part of “Operation Back to School,” Nov. 22.

More than 40 members of the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), including Col. C.J. Read, commander of the 96th SBDE, and a resident of Layton, Utah, and Command Sgt. Maj. Vicki Briggs, senior enlisted advisor to the 96th, from Roy, Utah, helped distribute the supplies.

Soldiers here have distributed almost 5,000 kits to local children as part of the program. The kits are assembled using donations from churches, civic organizations, and private citizens in the States.

"Basically, ever since the war started, Soldiers saw a need out there in the civilian populace with the Iraqis, to be able to give back," said Read. "They realized that we have so much, and we come from a great nation that does have a lot."...

You know there is more. Read here.

B*N*S*N2

Veterans of the 5th Belgian Fusiliers Battalion march down the streets of Bastogne, Belgium, in the 2008 Battle of the Bulge Parade. Marcel D'Haese, center, is the chairman of the 5th Fusilier War Veterans Association, and Robert Lemaire, far right, is a longtime member. U.S. Army photo by Cis Spook

Belgians Recall Battle of the Bulge

By Christie Vanover
Special to American Forces Press Service

CHIEVRRES, Belgium, Dec. 3, 2009 – It was the early days of the Battle of the Bulge. Germans were advancing into Belgium, and the supplies they needed to strengthen their force were close at hand, until the bravery of a lone rifle company helped to halt their advance.

It was Dec. 18, 1944, in the Belgian town of Stavelot. “The U.S. Army evacuated the city, and the 5th Battalion was the only one between this treasure and the Germans,” recalled Robert Lemaire, a Belgian soldier who was assigned to the company.

The day prior, German Col. Joachim Peiper and his 1st SS Panzer Regiment were quickly moving through Belgian villages, destined to reach the Meuse River and Allied supply ports in Antwerp. His army plowed through towns like Honsfeld and Büllingen, capturing and killing unarmed Americans.

While the SS Regiment faced casualties and lost tanks and vehicles along the way, Peiper moved them on toward Stavelot. His tanks crossed the only bridge leading into the village and launched a morning attack, capturing the city. Lemaire, who was guarding the American fuel depots while his company was attached to the 1st U.S. Army, recalled that Peiper executed 132 civilians in Stavelot, including numerous children.

Americans repositioned their forces to set up a perimeter defense. However, Lemaire’s company was left behind along the Malmedy road.

“In a hurry, packed in a truck,” he recalled, “we left our billets in direction of the depot. As we came closer, our lieutenant asked for 10 volunteers.” ...

Read more here.

B*N*S*N3

Army veterinary officer runs pioneering clinic in Helmand
25 November 2009

Under the watchful eye of Afghan Army guard 'look-outs' perched on top of four-wheel drive Ranger vehicles, a British Army Veterinary Officer and his Sergeant Major survey the distant desert horizon for signs of movement. Both carry pistols at their waists. This is Helmand Province - unpredictable and dangerous.

"Here come the first customers of the day," announces Captain Miles Malone as a herd of livestock accompanied by human figures appears, still several kilometres away on the bronzed desolate sandscape stretching ahead.

The soldiers busy themselves preparing drugs for the arrival of the livestock. Today for the third time in as many months, they are doing something that was, until recently, unheard of in this remote corner of the world - running a veterinary clinic.

Meanwhile, a turbaned Afghan farmer moves slowly across the desert on his motor scooter. Riding pillion are his three young sons, grasping their father's billowing dish-dash and each other as the vehicle bounces over an uneven dirt track. Another slightly older boy walks alongside, unhurriedly herding a flock of a hundred or so sheep towards the makeshift wire pen of the vet camp clinic....

More on this great B*N*S*N story here.

B*N*S*N4

Task Force Pathfinder recently built its very own mudhif to provide a location for meetings with local Iraqi leaders in a comfortable, traditional setting. First constructed in the marshes of what is now southern Iraq more than 5,000 years ago, the mudhif is a unique local meeting place assembled entirely of reeds, straw and other natural materials. Photo by Pfc. Aaron Brooks, 1st Armored Division.

COB ADDER — First constructed more than 5,000 years ago in the marshes of what is now southern Iraq, the mudhif is a unique local meeting place assembled entirely of reeds, straw and other natural materials.

In a project designed to honor the customs and traditions of the region, members of Human Terrain Team 8 recently served as advisors on the construction of a mudhif here, at the 4th Brigade's Regional Center of Excellence for Civil Capacity.

The HTT has worked in the Southern Iraqi provinces of Maysan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna for the last two years. They work to gain an understanding of the local culture and share that knowledge with the Soldiers operating in the region.

As part of their work, they regularly take part in engagements with local leaders and conduct field research among the Iraqis who live along the many canals in the region and in the Hawizah Marsh.

Task Force Pathfinder will use the mudhif they helped construct to conduct meetings with local leaders in a comfortable, traditional background.

The Pathfinder Mudhif is being built by a crew of local craftsmen entirely from materials harvested from the local marshes.

The lead builder of the mudhif is a man with skin darkened by years of exposure to the elements. Although unwilling to give his name, he commented, "I have built nearly 100 mudhif structures in my lifetime."...

More here.

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Michael P. Garton & Spc. Rolando R. Flores


Spc. Michael P. Garton, a gunner with the Personal Security Detachment, with the 36th Sustainment Brigade out of Temple, Texas, and a Texarkana, Texas, native, relaxes on a Humvee and shares a laugh with Spc. Rolando R. Flores, a gunner with the PSD and a San Antonio native, during a break in preparations for a mission Nov. 23 in the maintenance yard at Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army

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.