173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Downrange

2011-04-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

No one has been able to explain why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20+ years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense.

Monday on Fox news they learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if other news networks will broadcast it. When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop?

35 States file lawsuit against the Federal Government

Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.

This is an idea that we should address.

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress.. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform.... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.

If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States .."

New warrior song

2010-07-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTs6a0ORdQU

An interview with Sgt. Trinh in a pub while on R&R

2010-03-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

This is a must listen to, it raised the hairs on the back of my neck. My good friend Ronnie and his wife gave me a heads up about the interview. I have to say that after listening to it I got back on the phone with them and Ronnie and both spoke for about 45 minutes. I am sure you will understand it after you listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAC2g8ujxZk

Take Care,

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way) OUT

Our Soldiers

2010-03-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I am thinking of mine but I am thinking of yours too! I feel our troops are made of the same as our Dough Boys. They get it done no matter what. They get it done above and beyond what is expected. I just ask that all our Warriors get home in one piece and when they get out, businesses are willing to accept them.

Blue Star Dad, Larry Arnone

I really want to keep it that way,

Larry

A humble day

2010-01-30T20:48:00.000-08:00

This posting is a little different today. I was privileged to join the bluestarriders today visiting the Palo Alto VA . It was very humbling day for me I was able to meet some great wounded warriors. As a new member of Bluestarriders I am so happy to have participated We spent the day in the TBI unit today and I have met a warrior that is Airborne. When I mentioned that my guy is PIR he lighted up. He gave me permission to visit him later. I look forward to seeing Westley again.

Larry Arnone
AKA
Bluestarday

Helping those that have chossen to protect me.

2010-01-26T22:17:00.000-08:00

I know the title is not so grabbing but it's the best I can come up with at the moment. Many of you may be surprised by this sudden post but I want to share with you some things that have happened to me in the last week and a half.

I have been able to speak to my Warrior several times during this period and he is sounding good. Gosh he makes my day every time he calls. My sons voice is music to my ears and will always be something I will be looking forward too. Hang in there Alex and get you and your men home.

Many of you know that I am a General Manager for a small Transportation Company and I travel to many of my clients sites. This requires me to drive by Palo Alto V.A hospital. For years I have wanted to reach out and volunteer for the V.A. I have been a little frustrated with the lack of response by the V.A. so I left a message on a very good on-line friends facebook page. She hit me back introducing me to a new friend that has started an organization a few years ago supporting our wounded Warriors. Richard the founder and President of www.Bluestarriders.com came through and will be introducing some of our wounded Warriors to me next weekend.

It pains me to know our guys are putting it all out there and I am not able too. So I am going to try to help these guys the only way I can. Please know that all money that is donated goes right back without admin fees.

If you want to help out, then please visit www.bluestarriders.com and make it happen.

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad

A French Infantrymans perspective of the U.S. Army's warrior

2009-12-30T22:04:00.000-08:00

This was shared with me by a parent who had a son deployed with my son in the same Brigade. I had not seen this before and i am glad he shared this, It about brought a proud tear to my eye. Please, enjoy the read as it is a bit long but well worth it. And too the French soldier who shared this writing, Thank you and Gods speed to you.

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad (And I want to keep it that way)

OUT!

A French Infantryman's View of American Soldiers
Written by: host
Subject: French view
Military by Jean-Marc Liotier

American troops in Afghanistan through the eyes of a French OMLT infantryman

The US often hears echoes of worldwide hostility against the application of its foreign policy, but seldom are they reached by the voices of those who experience first hand how close we are to the USA. In spite of contextual political differences and conflicting interests that generate friction, we do share the same fundamental values - and when push comes to shove that is what really counts.

Through the eyes of that French OMLT (Operational Mentoring Liaison Teams) infantryman you can see how strong the bond is on the ground. In contrast with the Americans, the French soldiers don't seem to write much online - or maybe the proportion is the same but we just have less people deployed. Whatever the reason, this is a rare and moving testimony which is why I decided to translate it into English, so that American people can catch a glimpse of the way European soldiers see them.
Not much high philosophy here, just the first hand impressions of a soldier in contact - but that only makes it more authentic.

Here is the original French article, http://omlt3-kdk3.over-blog.com/article-22935665.html and here is my translation :

"We have shared our daily life with two US units for quite a while - they are the first and fourth companies of a prestigious infantry battalion whose name I will withhold for the sake of military secrecy. To the common man it is a unit just like any other. But we live with them and got to know them, and we henceforth know that we have the honor to live with one of the most renowned units of the US Army - one that the
movies brought to the public as series showing "ordinary soldiers thrust into extraordinary events". Who are they, those soldiers from abroad, how is their daily life, and what support do they bring to the men of our OMLT every day?

Few of them belong to the Easy Company, the one the TV series focuses on. This one nowadays is named Echo Company, and it has become the support company. They have a terribly strong American accent - from our point of view the language they speak is not even English. How many times did I have to write down what I wanted to say rather than waste precious minutes trying various pronunciations of a seemingly common word? Whatever state they are from, no two accents are alike and they even admit that in some crisis situations they have difficulties understanding each other.

Heavily built, fed at the earliest age with Gatorade, proteins and creatine (Heh. More like Waffle House and McDonalds) - they are all heads and shoulders taller than us and their muscles remind us of Rambo. Our frames are amusingly skinny to them - we are wimps, even the strongest of us - and because of that they often mistake us for Afghans.

Here we discover America as it is often depicted: their values are taken to their paroxysm, often amplified by promiscuity and the loneliness of this outpost in the middle of that Afghan valley. Honor, motherland - everything here reminds of that: the American flag floating in the wind above the outpost, just like the one on the post parcels. Even if recruits often originate from the hearth of American cities and gang territory, no one here has any goal other than to hold high and proud the star spangled banner. Each man knows he can count on the support of a whole people who provides them through the mail all that an American could miss in such a remote front-line location: books, chewing gums, razorblades, Gatorade, toothpaste etc. in such way that every man is aware of how much the American people backs him in his difficult mission.

And that is a first shock to our preconceptions: the American soldier is no individualist. The team, the group, the combat team are the focus of all his attention. And they are impressive warriors! We have not come across bad ones, as strange at it may seem to you when you know how critical French people can be. Even if some of them are a bit on the heavy side, all of them provide us everyday with lessons in infantry know-how. Beyond the wearing of a combat kit that never seem to discomfort them (helmet strap, helmet, combat goggles, rifles etc.) the long hours of watch at the outpost never seem to annoy them in the slightest. On the one square meter wooden tower above the perimeter wall they stand the five consecutive hours in full battle rattle and night vision goggles on top, their sight unmoving in the directions of likely danger. No distractions, no pauses, they are like statues nights and days. At night, all movements are performed in the dark - only a handful of subdued red lights indicate the occasional presence of a soldier on the move. Same with the vehicles whose lights are covered - everything happens in pitch dark even filling the fuel tanks with the Japy pump.

And combat? If you have seen Rambo you have seen it all - always coming to the rescue when one of our teams gets in trouble, and always in the shortest delay. That is one of their tricks: they switch from T-shirt and sandals to combat ready in three minutes. Arriving in contact with the enemy, the way they fight is simple and disconcerting: they just charge! They disembark and assault in stride, they bomb first and ask questions later - which cuts any pussyfooting short.

(This is the main area where I'd like to comment. Anyone with a passing knowledge of Kipling knows the lines from Chant Pagan: 'If your officer's dead and the sergeants look white/remember it's ruin to run from a fight./So take open order, lie down, sit tight/And wait for supports like a soldier./ This, in fact, is the basic philosophy of both British and Continental soldiers. 'In the absence of orders, take a defensive position.' Indeed, virtually every army in the world. The American soldier and Marine, however, are imbued from early in their training with the ethos: In the Absence of Orders: Attack! Where other forces, for good or ill, will wait for precise orders and plans to respond to an attack or any other 'incident', the American force will simply go, counting on firepower and SOP to carry the day.

This is one of the great strengths of the American force in combat and it is something that even our closest allies, such as the Brits and Aussies (that latter being closer by the way) find repeatedly surprising. No wonder it surprises the hell out of our enemies.)

We seldom hear any harsh word, and from 5 AM onwards the camp chores are performed in beautiful order and always with excellent spirit. A passing American helicopter stops near a stranded vehicle just to check that everything is alright; an American combat team will rush to support ours before even knowing how dangerous the mission is - from what we have been given to witness, the American soldier is a beautiful and worthy heir to those who liberated France and Europe.

To those who bestow us with the honor of sharing their combat outposts and who everyday give proof of their military excellence, to those who pay the daily tribute of America's army's deployment on Afghan soil, to those we owned this article, ourselves hoping that we will always remain worthy of them and to always continue hearing them say that we are all the same band of brothers".

Many, many emails from first timers

2009-12-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

I have received over a dozen emails from folks that has either a friend, Son or Daughter and even one from a young lady that is really not sure of her status with her warrior other than they are friends and maybe a little more who knows, but it was that email that has inspired me to post tonight. As our warriors get deeper into their operations the more I will be posting here as most of you know. , this particular email really opened my eyes as I know that the unit moved out with a few new guys.

This post is for all the new families and friends of the Herd.

I have received emails asking what to say and what to send to our new warriors. So for as to what to say here are the rules I employ when speaking to my warrior.

Rule 1. Always ask how they are so you you can gauge the up coming conversation.

2. Show them what you have learned about their unit and how prestigious it is. You can do this by educating yourself here.

www.173abnbde.setaf.army.mil/history.htm

3. Make them proud to be with a unit so respected throughout the Military community.

4. Make sure they know how proud of them.

5. Make sure you tell them how much you love them.

6. Never tell them of the trips to exotic places you are about to go on. (Lesson I just learned not long ago)

8. What they need downrange.

9. Ask who their Battle buddies are. Drop them a letter when you can as well.

10. Don't show your emotions in a negative manner as our job is to help build moral while they are deployed. This way we coach the ultimate warrior to perform at their best, thus getting home safe.

If you need support contact me at larryarnone@gmail.com and I will do my best to help you. These guys are good and I think the unit are going to be hitting some more major Grand slams this time around. Right MSG!

This is Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way

Out

Merry Christmas to all the families who have warriors deployed.

2009-12-24T23:32:00.000-08:00

This is Bluestardad over,

Merry Christmas Dad! Merry Christmas son and to all of your battle buddies. That was the conversation I was privileged to have with my warrior today. It was 0030 hours his time just coming off of guard duty, tired and weary. We chatted about what he needed and about the conditions he is operating under. He is the section leader now and now that they are at the COP they are using that time to train up up some of the new guy's in his section before going back out on patrol. In all he sounded pretty good and upbeat regardless of his minor injury.

I have had several people that have commented on my last posting and I would like to address two of them. Judy, who's son has served with the 173rd on multiple deployments in both Theaters of operations. You are feeling me on that call I got. I can only imagine what you went through.

To J who commented about her newly deployed son with the Herd. First let me tell you that your warrior couldn't be with a better unit in my opinion that performs airborne operations. As a former warrior from above, the 173rd rules the sky's hand over.

First what to send them, Letters is the first thing they need, lot's of them so get his address and give it to his friends family alike. Go to the post office or go on line and order a box of 25 flat rate cartons FOR APO'S as you get to send a larger box and you save $2.00 for each box. Send him things that remind him of home. For instance my warrior played ball for a number of years and loves Sunflower seeds. Only send enough that will last only a few days as you don't want them to hump all the stuff you send all over Afghanistan. Batteries are huge, both A's and D's. J, if you write me at my personal email I can get more in depth depending on his unit and what he does. You can reach out to me that way I can find out what your soldier really needs based on his mission. We also have a awesome support base that you can join but I need to know what exact unit your son is with so I can provide you with the proper info.

Last but not least, whenever your cell phone rings and the ID shows only 4 or 5 nombers, take it. It's your soldier or even a area code you are not familiar with. You can contact me direct at larryarnone@gmail.com. I am always available to my son's brothers parents. I will be happy to provide my cell via email. We have many sites for support and Blogs by our warriors themselves. Stay tough J, you are not alone.

This is Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad ( and I want to keep it that way)
San Francisco, Ca
OUT

I just got off the phone with an old MSG friend

2009-12-20T21:44:00.000-08:00

I was speaking to an old friend on how the DOA called parents during the last deployment about injuries, and once I hung up my phone rings.

Sir! My name is SGT Johnson and I am with the Dept, of the Army and I am calling to inform you that your son Sgt Arnone was injured today during an attack on his position. While under fire by Mortars and light arms fire he went to take cover and under the process tripped and split his chin and suffered a non-life threatening injury.

I think I lost 20 years after hearing the first 12 words. I only pray that my warrior is well and returns to his men soon. They have only been there for only 1 and 1/2 weeks and they are already being hit.

Give them hell troops!

Blue Star Dad (and I want to keep it that way)

Out

Ring Ring

2009-12-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

"This is Blue Star Dad go ahead"

Hey Dad it's me. "Hey Son how are you? I'm good, I am just checking in with you to let you know that my team and I are at the jump off point for our next deployment. (rest of conversation omitted)

That was a week ago and now they are in country waiting to move to their AO. For OPSEC reasons I will not reveal their AO but no matter where their AO will be I know one thing for sure, It is cold so I went to the store to start stocking up on materials for the care packages I will be sending to my warrior. I have to laugh though, the first thing on my list to buy some good old Panty Hose to send for the cold days facing him. At this point I am wondering how many of you are confused as to why I would send Panty Hose to my warrior. Well, many of you may not know this but Panty Hose can really keep you a bit warmer. Yep, cheap, light weight and so much warmer.

So here we go again, another deployment knowing that my son and his fellow warriors will be facing the enemy 24/7 365. Our guy's have it real rough especially after I just reviewed the new R.O.E. that have been established for them. Thanks to a couple of wonderful people that gave me a heads up on the new R.O.E. Cheri and M.S.G., I am with you all the way though out this deployment. Keep your chin up Cheri.

There are some new members on my warriors team that I am not familiar with but if any of you are reading this hit me back with your address so I can send you a package or two. So you know who you are with my Warrior is SGT Arnone with Battle Mortars. That should help some.

I hear there has not been much chatter with the FRG but am sure that will start to change. As I said before there are many new members in the unit but I hope over time many people will be googleing their warriors unit and will stumble onto this Blog. If you do, feel free to drop me an email and we can exchange contact information. Believe me when I say this, it does help being able to communicate during a tough deployment. Also if you are called a brother by my son you are always a son of mine, reach out to me so I know who you are.

I know it has been a very long time since I last posted and I am sorry for that but many of you that follow this Blog already know that I use this Blog as a tool to help vent my frustrations during deployments, we are now deploying and I am back.

I want to take this time to thank some individuals and organizations for all their time and effort in supporting not only OUR unit but all the others as well. Leta (Tankerbabelc) Mary Anne, Uncle Jimbo, Blackfive. A huge thank you to Soldiers Angels Germany and the many Veterans Hospitals serving our military. I also would like to thank I.A.V.A. for their continuing fight to help our veterans.

Digging in,

Blue Star Dad (and I want to keep it that way)

Out

And then they got into action

2009-05-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I was searching the internet for video's of our guy's (173rd ACBT) hoping to find something new that i have not seen yet and low and behold I came across two. It seems the first one here is an uncut version and then a second that has been edited and posted by Blackfive. I like the later as it has my boy in it scanning with his M-4 which really surprises me as he is the one that usually runs the tube gang under the direction of SSG Upp. Well you decide which one you like so here goes. The unedited can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJHBq8aX-4Q and the one I think is cool is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmEDe-UOGOE

Life after injury

2009-04-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone.

It has been awhile since I last posted. The 173rd have are training pretty hard getting ready for there next deployment. I am sure they are getting the best possible training available. I attended a business event this past weekend and they had an awesome speaker there. Ron Heagy really moved me and after watching a video on him supporting our Military. Please support Ron in all he does. You can see his video supporting our soldiers here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGmG8TQV098

You all will be hearing a lot more me in the very near future.

National Medal of Honor Day

2009-03-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

A fellow blogger recently sent me her blog update and I am in agreement with her. This is just a copy and paste of her blog site. You can find her site at www.tankerbabelc985.vox.com the following is from her blog.

A couple of days ago when I posted this story about Sgt Walter Singleton, MOH Recipient I had no idea that National Medal of Honor Day was this week.

My friend, Major Pain at One Marine's View posted this story recently about a flight attendant who asked the passengers to ring their call button if they could name one of the Medal of Honor recipients from the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Only one man rang his call button and was able to do so. The flight attendant then asked if any of the passengers could name an American Idol winner. The call buttons went off like crazy. I don't know about you all but when I read the story it made me sad, angry, disgusted and bewildered at the state of our nation.

Defenselink has a great site honoring Army SFC Paul R Smith, Marine Corporal Jason L Dunham, Navy Lt Michael P Murphy, Army Specialist Ross A McGinnis and Navy Petty Officer Second Class Michael A Monsoor. Medal of Honor Recipients from Iraq and Afghanistan engagements.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society site is probably one of the most comprehensive sites I've found with information about all recipients. Did you know there have been 19 Double Recipients of the Medal of Honor? I had no idea until I spent time at the site.

I doubt any of the major media outlets will make a big deal - daresay even mention it at all - about Wednesday being National Medal of Honor Day. But I'll sure take a few minutes to revist the sites about and to say a prayer of thanks for these great American Heroes.

Just sharing another friends work,

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

A recon Marine in Afghanistan

2009-01-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

This is a post that a friend sent to me by a Marine in Afghanistan. This soldier definitely has a way with words. I know it has been awhile since I have posted but I want you to know I have not given up and I will not be going anywhere. Our fine soldiers are off in Germany preparing to take the next fight for them to take to the enemy. They have conducted some successful airborne operations recently and I know that my soldier had some hair raising experiences during these jumps. I promise to stay in touch with each of you through this Blog but it just may not be as often as before until the actual deployment begins.

Bluestardad Out!

It's freezing here. I'm sitting on hard, cold dirt between rocks and
shrubs at the base of the Hindu Kush Mountains along the Dar 'yoi Pomir
River watching a hole that leads to a tunnel that leads to a cave. Stake
out, my friend, and no pizza delivery for thousands of miles.

I also glance at the area around me every ten to fifteen seconds
to avoid another scorpion sting. I've actually given up battling the
chiggers and sand fleas, but them scorpions give a jolt like a cattle
prod. Hurts!!. The antidote tastes like transmission fluid
but God bless the Marine Corps for the five vials of it in my pack.

The one truth the Taliban cannot escape is that, believe it or not,
they are human beings, which means they have to eat food and drink water.
That requires couriers and that's where an old bounty hunter like me
comes in handy. I track the couriers, locate the tunnel entrances and
storage facilities, type the info into the handheld, shoot the coordinates
up to the satellite link that tells the air commanders where to drop the
hardware, we bash some heads for a while, then I track and record the new
movement.

It's all about intelligence. We haven't even brought in the snipers
yet. These scurrying rats have no idea what they're in for. We are but
days away from cutting off supply lines and allowing the eradication to
begin.

I dream of bin Laden waking up to find me standing over him with my
boot on his throat as I spit into his face and plunge my nickel plated
Bowie knife through his frontal lobe. But you know me. I'm a romantic.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: This country blows, man.
It's not even a country. There are no roads, there's no infrastructure,
there's no government. This is an inhospitable, rock pit ruled by

eleventh century warring tribes. There are no jobs here like we know
jobs.

Afghanistan offers two ways for a man to support his family: join
the opium trade or join the army. That's it. Those are your options. Oh, I
forgot, you can also live in a refugee camp and eat plum-sweetened,
crushed beetle paste and squirt mud like a goose with stomach flu if
that's your idea of a party. But the smell alone of those 'tent cities of the
walking dead' is enough to hurl you into the poppy fields to cheerfully
scrape bulbs for eighteen hours a day.

I've been living with these Tajiks and Uzbeks and Turkmen and even a
couple of Pashtuns for over a month and a h alf now and this much I can
say for sure: These guys, all of 'em, are Huns Actual, living Huns. They
LIVE to fight. It's what they do. It's ALL they do. They have no respect
for anything, not for their families or for each other or for themselves.
They claw at one another as a way of life. They play polo with dead calves
and force their five-year-old sons into human cockfights to defend the
family honor. Huns, roaming packs of savage, heartless beasts who feed on
each other's barbarism Cavemen with AK47's. Then again, maybe I'm just
cranky.

I'm freezing on this stupid hill because my lap warmer is
running out of juice and I can't recharge it until the sun comes up in a
few hours

Oh yeah! You like to write letters, right? Do me a favor, Bizarre.
Write a letter to CNN and tell Wolf and Anderson and that awful,
sneering, pompous Aaron Brown to stop calling the Taliban 'smart.' They
are not smart. I suggest CNN invest in a dictionary because the word they are
looking for is 'cunning.' The Taliban are cunning, like jackals and
hyenas and wolverines. They are sneaky and ruthless and, when confronted,
cowardly. They are hateful, malevolent parasites who create nothing and
destroy everything else. Smart. Pfft. Yeah, they're really smart.

They've spent their entire lives reading only one book (and not a
very good one, as books go) and consider hygiene and indoor plumbing to be
products of the devil. They're still figuring out how to work a Bic
lighter. Talking to a Taliban warrior about improving his quality of life is
like trying to teach an ape how to hold a pen; eventually he just gets
frustrated and sticks you in the eye with it.

OK, enough. Snuffle will be up soon so I have to get back to my
hole. Covering my tracks in the snow takes a lot of practice but I'm good
at it. Please, I tell you and my fellow Americans to turn off the TV sets and
Move on with your lives.

The story line you are getting from CNN and other news agencies is
designed not to deliver truth but rather to keep you
glued to the screen through the commercials. We've got this one under
control The worst thing you guys can do right now is sit around
analyzing what we're doing over here because you have no idea what we're
doing and, really, you don't want to know. We are your military and we are
doing what you sent us here to do.

You wanna help? Buy Bonds, America.

Saucy Jack

Recon Marine in Afghanistan

Semper Fi

A soldier does America proud

2008-10-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

I received this link today from my soldiers Mortars section leader. I thought I would share it with you all. http://vicenza.afneurope.net/tabid/242/Default.aspx?aid=4909 I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Larry Arnone (AKA Bluestardad) and I want to keep it that way
San Francisco

Silver Star for Valor

2008-09-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

Mortarman awarded Silver Star for valor

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, September 25, 2008

Kent Harris / s&s
Staff Sgt. Christopher Upp receives the Silver Star from Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony Wednesday on Caserma Ederle. Upp received the honor for his actions on July 31, 2007, at Vehicle Patrol Base Seray in Afghanistan.

VICENZA, Italy — During the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment’s recently concluded tour in Afghanistan, there was no more dangerous place on a U.S. compound than the mortar pit.

That’s where U.S. soldiers would launch devastating counter attacks if enemy forces fired on the base.

And as a result, "They (the mortar pits) were always targets," said Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, the battalion commander. "Because they’re what kept [the enemy] off the bases."

Ostlund said soldiers from the 28-member Mortar Platoon from Headquarters and Headquarters Company have received 41 valor awards for their actions in Afghanistan, including three Bronze Star Medals with valor.

On Wednesday, the platoon received its second Silver Star.

Ostlund pinned the medal on Staff Sgt. Christopher Upp in a ceremony on a Caserma Ederle basketball court next to one of the barracks.

"In 25 years, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to present a Silver Star to a soldier," Ostlund told soldiers from the company and other elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team gathered around the court.

Upp, a 27-year-old from Sterling, Colo., was on his second deployment to Afghanistan with the platoon and fourth tour downrange overall. He was assigned to Vehicle Patrol Base Seray in the Chowkay Valley on July 31, 2007.

Upp said the first memory that pops into his mind of that day is the mortar round that hit near the mortar pit — killing 1st Lt. Benjamin Hall.

"A great officer was killed," he said, lifting the Silver Star Medal pinned to his uniform. "This is for him really."

Upp led a small group in a charge toward the pit. They were targeted by machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades along the way. More than once, they were knocked to the ground by rocket-propelled grenades that landed close to them. Once they got to the pit, another RPG damaged the tripod that supports the 120-millimeter mortar, and shrapnel tore a large gash in Upp’s left forearm. The wound would eventually require 17 stitches.

With the mortar support damaged, Upp had to use his hands — and shoulders when the tube got too hot — to guide the return fire. He fired 75 rounds back at enemy positions, enduring constant machine-gun fire.

Upp said he remembers much of the battle from a third-person perspective.

"It’s kind of like when your foot goes to sleep and you can’t feel it, but you know it’s still there," he said. "That’s how my mind was. Numb. Human instinct to survive kicks in. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do."

Upp, recently married, said he’ll now join the SETAF staff, keeping him in Italy — and away from any mortar pit for at least a while.

Normalcy, emails and Medals

2008-09-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been ages since I have written here but felt rather interested in doing so this evening. Like many of you that may have had a soldier downrange I found myself searching news on the Internet or even downloading the Stars & Stripes for any bit of information on the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Since Alex has been home and is now back in Italy it seems I don't have a need to worry. As many of you also know that his Birthday was 9/11 so I tried to keep that day on a positive note.

Today however, I did receive some news in the form of an email from my son's SFC Levy. Jason wrote how his Mortar Team of 28 men have been awarded a total of 41 medals for Valor. Of these two were for Silver Stars for Valor 3 Bronze Stars for Valor and 36 Army Commendations for Valor as well. He informed me that Alex was one of the recipients with a total of 3 Army Commendations for Valor. Yes, you guessed correct, I had a huge grin when I read that piece. His Mortar Pit N.C.O. SSG Upp received one of the Silver Stars. Alex has told me some amazing stories about he and SSG Upp so when I heard he was awarded this countries second highest award for Valor I wasn't surprised. So with that said, I downloaded the Stars & Stripes and sure enough there it was on the second page which I am going to post on my next posting. Well I have to run for now so I can get that posted so until next time, breath easier, they are safe.

Cheers,

Larry Arnone ( AKA A Bluestardad ) and I want to keep it that way
San Francisco

Farewells, Hugs and ringing phones

2008-09-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I expressed my farewells to my soldier as he returns to Italy on a 6:30 AM flight aboard Delta. He chose to spend his last hours home with his friends which is not surprising. It amazes me when I look at my warrior and see a different person. He is now grown, confident and direct. I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I wanted but the time we did share will never be forgotten. It was so grand to have him home safe and sound. On his second night home he removed his tee shirt only to reveal an 8 inch scare down the back of his shoulder. This was not a scare from his childhood, so when I asked him where did that come from he told me "Dad, I have no clue. We were in a fire fight from hell and when the smoke cleared I was asked if I was hit and I was baffled by the question until I felt the blood dripping down my back. I am not sure if it was from AK or from mortar fire. " I later spied many other scars on his body of which he really didn't want to talk about. I guess I am fortunate enough that my son is not having to endure life as a WIA at WRMC or another medical center.

Alex did come to my home last night to pick up his things and pack for his return to his brothers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy. It seems to me to be one of the longest hugs that I can remember. I have come to realize that he is now a man and no longer a child. It is a hug that I will not soon forget. He did try and call Delta Airlines to get a later flight (he had a 6:30am departure but wanted to get on the 9:10am) but they wanted an additional $1,700.00 for the change which he refused.

At 6:30 AM I received a call from him a little frantic that they wouldn't let him on the flight as they have already boarded. I told him to find a sympathetic ear at the counter. I then jumped onto the phone and called Delta's Corp, office to see what I can do for him. It turns out that while I am on hold Alex in fact does find someone sympathetic and gets on the flight at 9:10 am at no additional cost. I am a little miffed that they tried to take him for $1,700.00 dollars which is more than the original $1,600.00 that he paid for a round trip. He did mention that he was on active duty and just trying to extend his stay by a couple of hours. It really does disgust me that Corp, America is displaying it's feigns on our warriors who shed their blood in our countries honor. I am not posting the photos of Alex while he was home only because I don't want to humiliate him on line..... lol.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

A Dad, Sister, Combat buddy and Friend

2008-08-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

Well, Alex has been home for a couple of days now. It has been a good re-integration so far. I hosted a dinner for my soldier last night at a new but popular Italian restaurant here is San Francisco. Most of my and Alex's family are from the East Coast but we had a total of 14 people for dinner. We then left the restaurant and traveled to a bar that everyone loved. Alex has been home for only 2 day's and he was very apprehensive due to the fact that he is not use to being around lots of people.

He did pretty good considering every thing. He wasn't in uniform but the bar owner and bar tenders remembered him. I guess Alex did well considering the fact that he is going through a re-integration in the U.S. He stepped out tonight with 4 friends for dinner and what ever activities. My boy is home and I am blessed to have a young boy now grown to a grown man.

His sister is heading to Graduate School so they missed getting together. I am sure he will make that up by a road trip South.

We dialed up a combat buddy that has been wounded and is now at WRH. It was cool and Matt, battle on buddy!

Many of my soldiers friends really don't know or understand what our guys are going through. They have been hit everyday at all hours with no warning. Our soldiers are Americas finest and more. A special message to our Moms and Dads, love them, hover over them and more important, love them.

Be there for them

AKA (Abluestardad) And I want to keep it that way)

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

Dreams, Phone ringing and a "Hey Dad"

2008-08-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

I know I posted last night about my soldiers delay but I wanted to update you all of recent events. I went to bed last night not knowing when my son would arrive in SFO. I did a lot of tossing and turning thinking of him and of the possible changes in his personality. I guess I finally fell asleep around 1 AM. I then remember dreaming that someone was calling me on my home phone, when I realized I wasn't dreaming I bolted for the phone only to miss the call. I saw it was a San Francisco number and when I tried calling back there was no answer. I finally went back to bed and must of fell right back to sleep only to be woken up by my home phone. I grabbed the phone and answered. From the other end I heard "Hey Dad, I'm home" and I rushed the door to greet my returning soldier. That was at 4:50 am so I guess he was able to get the last flight out of JFK. I wasn't expecting him home until around 10:30 AM but hey, who am I to complain right? He is in the shower now and then we will be off to car hunting for him. He's home and I am on cloud nine.

Bluestardad OUT!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestar (And I want to keep it that way)

Delays.....suck

2008-08-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

I heard from my soldier and he has informed me that he has been delayed due too weather at JFK. I will see him tomorrow around 12:00 and I can't wait. I may be disappointed that he has been delayed but more importantly, he is on U.S. soil.This has been a long awaited day. I am so proud of my soldier and all of his accomplishments. Thank you to Vickie for your welcome home.

Ronnie and Cheri, what up folks!

Larry
San Fransisco

(A Blue Star Dad and AI want to keep it that way)

Donations could help make memorial race a memorable event

2008-08-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

This just in from Longislandgirl who also Blogs on our soldiers. She asked me to help get the word out.

The NY National Guard at Camp Phoenix is trying to raise money for a 5k run there on 9-11-08-please pass this on; Also, the end of the article has a link to a video of the 173rd Airborne.

Memorial Run

by Dave Tobin
Monday August 11, 2008, 12:46 AM

NY Army National Guard soldiers began their war on terror service immediately after 9/11, when they were sent to guard the bridges, tunnels and area around the World Trade Center in New York City.

That service seven years ago leads to their current mission.

September 11 will hold special significance for many soldiers in Afghanistan. A few are planning a 5-kilometer run on that day, and looking for help.

1st Lt. Michael Chappell, of Jamesville, writes:

"I am currently serving in Afghanistan with the Delta Company, 2-108th Infantry, NY Army National Guard out of Ithaca, NY.

I and other New Yorkers are trying to organize an international 5K race in Kabul for the American Forces other Coalition and Afghan forces, in memorial of September 11th, 2001.

This race will remind us why we as Coalition and Afghan forces are serving here in Afghanistan; it will help reinforce the fact that we are still here together, and that it is through teamwork we achieve our goals.

We are trying to raise $1,500 - $2,000 to help cover the costs of T-shirts and awards. Any donation that your club or organization can make would be greatly appreciated.

For donations of $250 or more received by August 20th, I will incorporate your club or organization's logo into the T-shirt design. Send donations, by money order only, with a note stating that it is for the "9/11 International Freedom 5K run."

Camp Phoenix MWR
c/o 1LT Michael Chappell
D Co, SECFOR
CAMP PHOENIX
APO AE 09320

We're almost at the halfway point for this deployment of some 1,700 New York Army National Guard soldiers in Afghanistan.

For families of soldiers, what's changed for you since your soldier first left? (Are you glued to each episode of "Army Wives"? Do you watch it with anyone?)

What's been hardest? What's been your brightest moment? What have you discovered about yourself?

Lost in translation

Shelled by rockets, soldiers of the 173rd Airborne's Charlie Company visit an Afghan village from where the rockets have been fired, looking for the enemy, looking for answers. Tension is high. Soldiers try to speak to a Pashtun elder, relying on their "terp" (interpreter), for everything they learn or don't. A terp can easily misguide them. In an insurgent war where few if any U.S. solders speak the native language, what drives decisions?

An excellent video by Guardian Films shows this challenge. It's linked from the Following Orion site.(www.syracuse.com/following-orion/)

Thanks to the military blogger Bouhammer for bringing this video to our attention.

Shoot me an email: dtobin@syracuse.com

Day of the Sky Soldier

2008-08-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

I copied this from another site.

Day of the Sky Soldier

August 6, 2008

As National Director of GoE I was heartened to see that Congressman Kirk (R-IL) has requested that the President proclaim 23 August, 2008 as the Day of the Sky Soldier (see below), which is the nickname of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The Sky Soldiers are rotating home after a tough 15 month deployment in Afghanistan. They suffered losses which impacted the entire veteran’s community as a whole, while maintaining the highest standards of the American soldier. We are, therefore requesting that every member of Congress do as Congressman Kirk has done and send a similar letter to the president urging him to make this proclamation. This is an opportunity to let these brave men know that their personal and professional sacrifices have not gone un-noticed. This is also an opportunity for every member of Congress to actively support the troops with something besides words. Please call your Congressman and urge him or her to send this letter. Thank you. Manchu

July 31, 2008

BY FAX

The Honorable George W. Bush

President of the United States

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing in support of a Presidential Proclamation designating Saturday, August 23, 2008, in honor of the 173^rd Airborne Brigade. I have attached copies of correspondence sent to the White House by my constituent, Robert A. Getz, who is organizing this effort.

As you may know, the 173^rd Airborne Brigade was founded 91 years ago during World War I. The men and women of the brigade have served our country honorably during World Wars I and II, Korea, Viet Nam, and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The brigade is currently completing their second tour of duty in Afghanistan where they lost 42 killed in action.

I respectfully request you issue a Proclamation designating Saturday August 23^rd in honor of the 173^rd Airborne Brigade.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Mark Steven Kirk

Member of Congress

MSK:epk

Enclosures

Written by Chris Hill · Filed Under Briefings, Featured

A Dad who anticipates a long awaited return home

2008-08-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

I sit here thinking of nights of the past and how I would think of my son before falling asleep. I would ask "is he in a safer place today or "how many times to they push off an attack today" well you get the drill. I now know that he is safe in Italy but I just can't wait to see him.

My daughter Michele ( who handled this deployment so much better than I ) will be joining me at the airport to great our soldier home. The banner above will be proudly displayed at the airport. I have another banner to "Welcome home Soldier" and on the bottom it reads " A true American Hero". I did this because I want to volunteer some time to the USO out at the airport greeting our True American hero's home. Bluestardad Out!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad ( and I want to keep it that way )

A grin from ear to ear

2008-08-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

I sit here trying to think of what to write while at the same time I just want to shout. I think I'll choose the later. I am pleased to announce that my soldier is wheels down in Italy! Yeah baby....Hot diggity dog!
I guess I will actually be able to sleep through the night at last. Alex never called me from Manis so I hadn't received my long awaited "wheels up" call from him but thats O.K. He called and said "Hey Dad, guess where I am" I swear I was jumping up and down in my office. The office must have thought I went over the deep end. When I got off the phone with him I let out a huge and long sigh of relief and man that felt great.

You know on refection of the past 15 months, it has been this Blog and a few others ( You all know who you are ) that have kept me sane. I think I will continue this Blog even while Alex is in Italy now. He did re-up to stay with the Herd and last I heard Alex was approached by his N.C.O. asking Alex if he wanted to transfer to one of the line units. He explained that by doing so Alex would operate I believe ( it's been a very long time since I've served ) a M224 60mm mortar system as opposed to the 120mm mortar system. He also mentioned that Alex would move up in rank a lot faster. I have mixed feelings about this but then again when I reflect back in the day when I was serving I went full out so I suppose I can understand my son in his thinking. I remember the day we were at the recruiters office and they gave him his MOS ( Job ) options from Artillery to re-arming gunships and he said "Hell no, if I am going to do this I am going to do it right, put me in as an 11B Airborne Infantry" his recruiter didn't want him to do it but Alex insisted. I still stay in touch with his recruiter, he is a pretty good guy and father.

Well, I guess this will be the turning point of my Blog now that our guy's are back in Europe. I promise never to forget those that have fallen. It really has been a hard deployment but even more difficult for many families who will not hear those great words "Hey Dad, guess where I am"

Relieved,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad ( and I want to keep it that way )Publish Post

O.K. the forgotten war has really hit home

2008-07-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

In my previous posting I had cut and pasted a fathers letter to friends and family. I am not sure if it was a friend or family member who was ( I'm sure ) trying to be compassionate. Here is the kicker ( You ready for this ) The Title actually read "

A letter from a Father who's son was shot in Iraq

I changed it to read Afghanistan knowing better as it is obvious in the letter as the Dad is speaking about Chosen Company of the 2nd-503rd 173rd ABCT and the date on the post. I can't believe they confused the country. This kind of stuff just burns my ass. Makes me want to take out an add on the first page of every major newspaper in the country saying "U.S. Forces arrive in AFGHANISTAN for combat operations in retaliation of 9/11/2001 7 YEARS AGO and they are still there". Ahhhhh! I'm still waiting on a wheels up from my boy which reminds me, please remember tomorrow July 31st. Take two minutes of your day and remember a Sky Soldier that fell on this date. 1LT Ben Hall of the United States Army Platoon leader, Destined Company, 2nd-503rd P.I.R. 173rd ABCT Vehicle Patrol Base Serey, Kunar Province, Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan.

Thank You,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA A BlueStarDad (and I want to keep it that way)

A letter from a Father who's son was shot in Afghanistan

2008-07-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

I picked this up when I was searching Blogs today and thought I would share it with you all.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

“Hello family,

I am sorry I missed an update yesterday. I know everyone is anxious for news. The computer room that I was using was locked when I got there. Walter Reed, we are discovering, becomes an entirely different place on weekends. They kind of “roll up the sidewalks” on the weekend.” What is normally a very bustling place, looks more like a ghost town unless you are actually in a ward. There, the business of healing goes on non-stop, 24-7. This is truly an amazing place. You really have to be here to comprehend the high level of professionalism, and yet everywhere there is compassion, consideration, and kindness. Even the housekeeping people, if they see you looking lost, which happens a lot in my case, stop what they are doing and either direct or take you to where you need to go.

Yesterday I went to another floor and another ward to check on one of Andy’s friends. He was not in his room but a very pleasant young nurse met me as I came back through the door and offered to let them know that I came by. She seemed so very young. As I walked back down the long hall I realized that everyone here seems so very young: doctors, nurses, Army staff. Finally I realized why I had been feeling so old. It is because I go for a grandfather among all these “kids.” Forty years old is “old” in the Army.

But, I also have begun to realize that I have underestimated the potential that young people have when they are directed and devoted to what they are doing. And I have now observed and remembered again the vast, I said the vast, amounts of energy that they bring to whatever they are doing. No wonder I feel like an antique. I am an antique when measured beside them on the energy meter.

As I write this, Andy is getting another CT Scan. Then they are going to roll him outside, literally, to a courtyard on the fifth floor for a while. He continues to cooperate with the healing process and, when he can get away with it, to direct it. He is still in and out a lot, but he is resting noticeably better. Thanks so much for your prayers for that.

He has some pancreatitus, but the doctors are right on top of it and they say that it should not impact his surgery on Tuesday. That is the next big milestone toward which we are moving. After that surgery and recovery process he will have much more freedom of moment without the temporary brace that he is now wearing.

His arms are becoming stronger by the day. Their movement is beginning to be more deliberate and look more normal.

We have discovered that Andy really played down, in his phone conversations with us over the last 15 months, the level of activity that he was engaged in. I remember what he said when I took him to the airport to return from his last leave, he said, “Don’t worry about me Dad. I’m just going to work.” I know that he wanted to spare us the worry, but I have now “read him the riot act” that he is never to do that again. It pains me now that I was not somehow engaged at the same emotional level that he was.

Andy is in 3rd platoon, c (Chosen) company, 2 Battalion of 503 Infantry (The 173rd Airborne Brigade ) We found out just today that Andy’s unit “The Rock” has been awarded 6 Silver Stars, 48 Bronze Stars with valor, more than 140 Army Commendation Medals with valor, 98 Purple Hearts, more than 150 other awards have been submitted for approval, including 2 for Medals of Honor, 3 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 3 more for Silver Stars as of June 30th. Obviously not the stuff of business as usual.

Each member of our family seems to relate a little differently to what has happened to Andy. This new awareness of the level of his combat environment has stirred what I know to be, on some level, irrational questions in me. Really they are probably better described as instincts: “If I could just have been there.” “Could better preparation have been made in their position?” “Did they choose the right defensive position?” “Were they careful in their planning?” “How could I have fixed this?” Those are really the same instincts that were practiced and expressed a thousand times when Andy was still at home and safe with us. But they were just all rolled in to one short sentence each time he went out the door: “Be careful, Andy.”

I think our children never really understand the careful soul searching of the parents who watch for them. They don’t know what it’s like to be constantly watchful. They will, maybe, but they don’t understand it as a child. They think life is a hoot. We see it as the great adversary. So, when they get in their cars to go off somewhere out of our sight we always say, with way more anxiety than they know, “Be careful.” But within that simple admonition are all of the questions of “is everything all right?” “Is it safe?” “Have I covered all the bases?”

Somewhere along the way I became a “father” to all of my children. It didn’t happen the day they were born to me. It happened later as I became aware of what I was supposed to do for them. Somewhere I came to know that I was supposed to protect them, to keep them safe, to provide what they needed, to be their first line of defense against the harshness of this world.

And somewhere along the way this fathering thing stopped being a thought process and started being an instinct. It is always there. It never sleeps. And it comes to life and reacts instantly, and sometimes not very rationally, concerning the issues of my children.

So, that is going on now, in this place. It is certainly not unmanageable but I would appreciate your prayers as I sort through these issues in what represents a really tough situation for all of us who are used to being “their protection.”

As I prayed this morning the Lord reminded me of the early verses of Psalm 40. There the psalmist said that he cried out to God and that God inclined his ear to him and heard him. He said that God lifted him from the pit and the miry clay and set his feet on a rock and put a new song in his mouth. We are today anticipating the time to sing again.

Thank you all for waiting so faithfully with us. It is coming. God will make it so. Love in Christ, Larry, Donna, and Family

A special Grand Ma tagged my walls today

2008-07-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

This evening I was driving home thinking of no other than my son and his long deployment and how so many of his Battle buddies from the 173rd ABCT have already returned to their Garrison. Sometimes I feel guilty thinking that any day now I will get a wheels up from my soldier when other families will not as they have already fallen. I chose not to make any postings about the July 13th incident because I was and am still very numb over it all as I am sure many of you are. May God bless the families that have had to endure such a loss.

So, who is tagging my walls with graffiti you may ask? Well lets just say it's welcomed graffiti from a Grandmother (not mine or my solder) but of one of my soldiers Battle buddies. Here is a cut out portion of her malicious Graffiti (chuckle) she plastered on Facebook.

More good news is that D said Alex was to leave Fortress today, on his way home too! Its almost over Larry!!!! Must run for now and clean up our McDonald's dinner mess, yep didn't even have the energy to cook! Take care my friend, Alex is almost home!"

Grand Ma C and Grand Pa R, I love you guy's and you can tag my walls anytime...lol I am still waiting for that call "Dad we are wheels up and our mission is complete" Bluestardad out!

Larry Arnone
San FranciscoPublish Post

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

The soldiers of today and their resolve

2008-07-24T21:21:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

It has been a few days since my last posting and I am sorry. I have been in a bit of denial over the July 13th incident. Many of our soldiers of the 173rd ABCT have now returned and we only have a few more to get out of there. Let's keep our fingers crossed until they are all back. I came across this video today and watched it several times and many tissues later I am sharing with you. Go ahead and cut and paste and see who our Army is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKsfbT6Ljeo My next posting will be much more interesting, " I promise!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA (A bluestardad) and I want to keep it that way)

P.T.S.D. and how it can be treated.

2008-07-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

I have written about this topic before but feel that you can never make Parents, Loved One and Friends more aware about this. Some soldiers are afraid to ask for help from the Government fearing it could affect their status amongst their Commanders, Battle Buddies and the Government itself. We can eliminate those fears today by simply observing our soldiers when they return from Afghanistan and identifying certain symptoms. You the loved ones will spot them after spending some time with them when they return home. A person who I have become to know through the Blogspheres ( Joanne ) aka http://longislandgirl.vox.com/ has made me aware previously of an organization that helps returning soldiers and families that help them at no charge are are kept completely confidential. If your soldier is in denial or feel they will not accept your observations and advice then contact the organization yourself so they can help you help your soldier understand they may need help. Go to this website to learn how you can help your loved one or friend www.thesoldiersproject.org, . It is always best to catch ANY disorder early on. Don't be afraid or embarrassed as they nor you have control on the onset of this disorder. The war did it to them and it is up to us to reach out and help them with loving hearts.

I beg you, please pass the word about this as it is the least we can do for these returning hero's. This disorder can be worse than being wounded in battle. Last but not least, when your Soldier does return home to you and you greet them at the airport, smile, show them how much you are happy they are home but let them approach you for that hug. They are already a bit freaked out being around thousands of people in an uncontrolled environment.

Enjoy your time with them while they are home, you both deserve it as it has been a difficult deployment for us all. As our soldiers would say "Sky Soldiers"!

.Another fine trooper and "Wheels up"

2008-07-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

We have all been under incredible duress these last few day's wondering if our soldiers of the 173rd ABCT were involved in the latest tragedy this past weekend. It is now clear who has and to those of you that had loved ones or friends involved my heart goes out to each and everyone of you. I personally am pretty sure that my soldier is O.K. but I do still remain in a state of being on pins and needles until my soldier messages me "Wheels Down" on returning to Italy. A message very much like a mother received last year "wheels up" from her son on deploying to Afghanistan. I will get to that quote in a moment. I was able to speak to another fine soldier from Destined Co. that is currently at Walter Reed having surgery for injury sustained during military operations in the Kunar Province not long ago. SPC Matt Sexton is such a fine soldier and good friend of my own. He was surprised when I called but happy as well. You see, I want to know all those soldiers that my son has called friends. It brings great pleasure in hearing all the missions they were on or even the nights out in Italy. I feel even more closer to my son at a time we are separated while he does something he believes in. In any case, Matt! I hope your recovery is swift and you are able to return to your battle brothers soon.

O.K. on the wheels up part of the posting (deep breathing here) as I sit here typing I find myself so fortunate that my son has only received minor injuries sustained during combat operations where many others have sustained much more serious wounds and unfortunately so many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Lt. Ben Hall notified his family that his aircraft was wheels up on deploying to Afghanistan as a young officer with Destined Co. of the 173rd ABCT. I am speaking of LT. Ben Hall who hailed from a distinguished Military back ground. His sister contacted me today after stumbling across my Blog. It was such great pleasure hearing from her. We are approaching the anniversary of Ben Halls death while serving with his men in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. His family is so kind which reflects exactly Ben's personality and leadership. Since my son did look up to this Officer and formed a friendship in that they had some awesome conversations on many subjects and has help Alex map out his destiny I ask that all my readers please take two minutes on the 31st of this month and pray for Ben and his family. Can we make this happen people?

Longing for the return of my Son,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

AKA A Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Joint al Qaeda and Taliban force behind Kunar base attack

2008-07-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

Joint al Qaeda and Taliban force behind Kunar base attack

By Bill RoggioJuly 14, 2008 9:03 PM

Kunar provincial map. Click to view.

Yesterday's deadly complex attack on a joint US and Afghan outpost in Kunar province was carried out by a large, mixed force of Taliban, al Qaeda, and allied extremist groups operating eastern Afghanistan.

Sunday's assault occurred just three days after 45 US soldiers, likely from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and 25 Afghan troops established a new combat outpost in the town of Wanat. The troops had little time to learn the lay of the land, establish local contacts, and build an intelligence network. The fortifications were not fully completed, according to initial reports.

A complex attack

The assault was carried out in the early morning of July 13 after the extremist forces, numbering between 200 and 500 fighters, took over a neighboring village. "What they [the Taliban] did was they moved into an adjacent village - which was close to the combat outpost - they basically expelled the villagers and used their houses to attack us," an anonymous senior Afghan defense ministry official told Al Jazeera. Tribesmen in the town stayed behind "and helped the insurgents during the fight," General Mohammad Qasim Jangalbagh, the provincial police chief, told The Associated Press.

The Taliban force then conducted a complex attack, coordinating a ground assault with supporting fires. Approximately 100 enemy fighters were reported to have moved close to the base while under a heavy barrage of machinegun fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars. The fighters advanced on the outpost from three sides.

Taliban fighters breached the outer perimeter of the outpost but were repelled. US troops called in artillery, helicopter, and air support to help beat back the attacking force. Casualties were heavy on both sides, with nine US soldiers and 40 Taliban fighters killed during the assault. Fifteen US and four Afghan soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

An extremist alliance

The assault on the Wanat outpost was conducted by an alliance of extremist groups operating in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to reports. A senior Afghan defense official told Al Jazeera that "various anti-government factions including Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Hezb-i-Islami faction were involved" in the strike.

Tamim Nuristani, who served as governor of Kunar before President Hamid Karzai relieve him of his post for criticizing a US airstrike that is thought to have killed Afghan civilians, said Taliban and Pakistani groups banded together for the attack. "The (attackers) were not only from Nuristan but from other districts," Nuristani said.

"They are not only Taliban. They were (Pakistan-based) Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hezb-i-Islami, Taliban and those people who are dissatisfied with the (Karzai) government after these recent incidents," Nuristani said, intimating the attack was revenge for the US airstrike. "They all came together for this one."

Kunar hosts a major infiltration route and a witches' brew of extremist

Activity in Kunar province has been particularly fierce over the past year. According to an Afghan security report obtained by The Long War Journal, Kunar suffered 963 attacks in 2007, making it the second most active province for insurgents, after Kandahar. The data for 2008 shows the same trend, with Kunar behind only Kandahar in the number of Taliban-related attacks.

US forces have stepped up their presence in Kunar and neighboring Nuristan province since 2005, building remote outposts and bases along established smuggling routes used by insurgent forces. According to one regional report, the US recently finished construction on a vital outpost near the notorious Ghahki Pass, a narrow gorge connecting Pakistan’s Bajaur tribal agency with Kunar province.

The Ghahki Pass has remained a vital extremist infiltration route since the conflict began. In October 2001, more than 1,000 Pakistani jihadists flooded through the narrow canyon into Afghanistan and joined the Taliban in their fight against Coalition forces. Seven years later, the local population remains openly hostile to both the Afghan government and US forces, making it an ideal area for extremist activity to thrive.

A host of Taliban, al Qaeda, and allied extremist groups operate inside Kunar and in the Bajaur tribal agency in neighboring Pakistan. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Younus Khalis's Hezb-i-Islami factions operate in Kunar and in neighboring Bajaur. The Kashmiri-based Lashkar-e-Taiba also operates in the border region. Al Qaeda's senior leadership, including Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri, are thought to shelter in the region.

Bajaur is a strategic command and control hub for al Qaeda. The tribal agency is administered by Faqir Mohammed, the local leader of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM - the Movement for the Implementation of Mohammad's Sharia Law) and the deputy leader of Baitullah Mehsud's unified Pakistani Taliban movement. The TNSM sent thousands of fighters into Afghanistan to fight US forces in 2001 and 2002, and continues to sponsor attacks in Afghanistan.

Pakistan remains a sanctuary for extremist leaders, as raids in early February demonstrated. After capturing Mansoor Dadullah in the southern part of the country, Pakistani security forces arrested several senior al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban commanders from Kunar during raids in Swat and Peshawar.

Pakistan is the Taliban's training ground

The Taliban, al Qaeda, and allied extremist groups, collectively called AQAM or al Qaeda and Allied Movements by various military and intelligence sources, have established their base of operations inside Pakistan’s tribal areas and the Northwest Frontier Province.

The peace agreements signed between the Pakistani government and the Taliban, which have been ongoing since March 2006, have given AQAM the time and spaced needed to establish a series of camps throughout the Northwest Frontier Province.

Terrorist groups have set up a series of camps throughout the tribal areas and in the settled districts of the Northwest Frontier Province. "More than 100" terror camps of varying sizes and types are currently in operation in the region, a senior US military intelligence official told The Long War Journal. As of the summer of 2007, 29 terror camps were known to be operating in North and South Waziristan alone.

Some camps are devoted to training the Taliban's military arm, some train suicide bombers for attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, some focus on training the various Kashmiri terror groups, some train al Qaeda operatives for attacks in the West, and one serves as a training ground the Black Guard, the elite bodyguard for Osama bin Laden.

Al Qaeda has also reformed Brigade 055, the infamous military arm of the terror group made up of Arab recruits. The unit is thought to be commanded by Shaikh Khalid Habib al Shami. Brigade 055 fought alongside the Taliban against the Northern Alliance and was decimated during the US invasion of Afghanistan. Several other Arab brigades have been formed, some consisting of former members of Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guards, an intelligence official told The Long War Journal.

Al Qaeda's elite forces were likely involved in the planning and execution of Sunday's sophisticated attack in Kunar.

Sources:

• The Long War Journal: Taliban launch deadly attack on a combat outpost in Afghanistan's Kunar province
• The Long War Journal: Afghan Taliban leaders nabbed in Pakistan
• The Long War Journal: "More than 100 terror camps" in operation in northwestern Pakistan
• Al Jazeera: Taliban fighters storm US base
• The AP: Deadly attack on US base sends worrying signal
• The AP: 9 U.S. soldiers killed in Taliban assault on base
• Program for Culture and Conflict Studies: Kunar Province briefing

Read this and you tell me what may have happened at that lone outpost.

2008-07-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

AP IMPACT: Pakistan militants focus on Afghanistan

By KATHY GANNON – 23 hours ago

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — In early June, about 300 fighters from jihadist groups came together for a secret gathering here, in the same city that serves as headquarters to the Pakistani army.

The groups were launched long ago with the army's clandestine support to fight against India in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. But at the meeting, they agreed to resolve their differences and commit more fighters to another front instead: Afghanistan.

"The message was that the jihad in Kashmir is still continuing but it is not the most important right now. Afghanistan is the fighting ground, against the Americans there," said Toor Gul, a leader of the militant group Hezb-ul Mujahedeen,d in an interview at the beginning of July. The groups included the al-Qaida-linked Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, banned by Pakistan and branded terrorists by the U.S., he said.

The U.S. military says militant attacks in eastern Afghanistan have increased 40 percent this year over 2007. And for two straight months, the death toll of foreign troops in Afghanistan has exceeded that of Iraq. On Sunday, nine U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, the deadliest single attack for the U.S. since June 2005.

Pakistani military and European intelligence officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the information is sensitive, confirmed the June meeting and said it was the second such gathering this year. A senior military official described the inability to prevent the meetings as "an intelligence failure."

Despite growing pressure on Pakistan to quell Islamic militancy, jihadist groups within its borders are in fact increasing their cooperation to attack U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, according to interviews with a wide range of militants, intelligence officials, and military officers.

Militants say they operate with minimal interference, and sometimes tacit cooperation, from Pakistani authorities, while diplomats say the country's new government has until now been ineffectual in dealing with a looming threat.

"Where there were embers seven years ago we are now fighting flames," a serving Western general told The Associated Press, referring to both Afghanistan and Pakistan's border regions. He agreed to be interviewed on condition his identity and nationality were not revealed.

A Pentagon report released late last month described a dual terror threat in Afghanistan: the Taliban in the south, and "a more complex, adaptive insurgency" in the east. That fragmented insurgency is made up of groups ranging from al-Qaida-linked Afghan warlords such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's radical Hezb-i-Islami group to Pakistani militants such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, the report said.

Hekmatyar's is the strongest rebel group in Afghanistan's Kunar province, where Sunday's deadly ambush occurred. His group has also had close contacts with jihadi groups in Pakistan.

In the past, the Taliban were suspicious of the mujahadeen groups with close associations to the Pakistani military and intelligence. But now Gul, who fights alongside Hekmatyar's men in Kunar province, said they are united in the fight for Afghanistan. He told the AP he had been to Kunar in the last two months but refused to be more specific.

Mark Laity, NATO spokesman in Afghanistan, said Pakistan's new civilian government has reduced its preventive military action and is trying to negotiate peace deals with the militants. He expressed concern that the deals were leading to "increased cross border activity."

The Pakistani government also appears to be loosening its grip on the volatile northwest, where the influence of Islamic extremists is expanding. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere along the rugged, lawless Afghan-Pakistan border.

Pakistan's Mohmand and Bajaur tribal areas are emerging as increasingly strong insurgent centers, according to Gul, the militant. His information was corroborated by Pakistani and Western officials. Both those tribal areas are right next door to Afghanistan's Kunar province.

"Before there were special, hidden places for training. But now they are all over Bajaur and Mohmand," he said. "Even in houses there is training going on."

A former minister in President Pervez Musharraf's ousted government, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, said insurgents were being paid between 6,000 and 8,000 rupees — the equivalent of $90 and $120 — a month in Mohmand and grain was being collected to feed them. He did not identify the source of the donations but said Pakistan's army and intelligence were aware of them.

Maulvi Abdul Rahman, a Taliban militant and former police officer under the ousted hardline regime, said jihadist sympathizers in the Middle East are sending money to support the insurgents and more Central Asians are coming to fight. Rahman said under a tacit understanding with authorities, militants were free to cross to fight in Afghanistan so long as they do not stage attacks inside Pakistan, which has been assailed by an unprecedented wave of suicide attacks in the past year.

"It is easy for me now. I just go and come. There are army checkposts and now we pass and they don't say anything. Pakistan now understands that the U.S. is dangerous for them," he said. "There is not an article in any agreement that says go to Afghanistan, but it is understood if we want to go to Afghanistan, OK, but leave Pakistan alone.'"

The Taliban appears to have considerable latitude to operate. Last month Baitullah Mehsud, the chief Pakistani Taliban leader, held a news conference attended by dozens of Pakistani journalists in South Waziristan tribal region. Authorities did nothing to stop it, although the Pakistani government and the CIA have accused Mehsud of plotting the December assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Journalists who attended said there were no security forces to be seen as a convoy of as many as 20 vehicles passed into the Mehsud's hideout — not far from where the army itself had taken an entourage of foreign journalists just a week earlier.

Tensions in Pakistan's anti-terror alliance with the United States are growing. U.S. airstrikes during a border clash with militants on June 10 killed 11 Pakistani paramilitary troops — the deadliest incident of its kind, prompting a sharp rebuke by Pakistan's army to Washington.

Pakistan's army vehemently denies giving covert aid to militants and points out that 1,087 of its soldiers have died in the tribal regions since 2002 — more than the U.S. military and NATO have lost in Afghanistan.

"If anyone says the army is providing sanctuary, nothing could be further from the truth," army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said. He criticized the U.S. and NATO forces for failing to capture insurgents when they cross into Afghanistan or stop them from coming into Pakistan.

"Is it the responsibility of only one side to stop the border crossings?" he asked.

A senior government official also said Pakistan — which once backed the Taliban but formally abandoned its support after the Sept. 11 attacks on America — has become the scapegoat for U.S. and NATO failures in Afghanistan.

"They don't want to tell their bosses that they've made a mess of it in Afghanistan, where there is no governance, corruption is everywhere and the Afghan government is involved up to the hilt in heroin smuggling, gun running," said the official, who had the authority to speak only if his name was not used. He denied the army was helping militants.

"Maybe one or two individuals are allowing things to happen, but as a policy it makes no sense to me. Just because we were in bed with them once doesn't mean we are today."

However, the Afghan government has directly accused Pakistani intelligence of plotting a recent assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai and the July 7 bombing outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul that killed at least 58 people.

Such allegations are virtually impossible to substantiate. But retired Pakistani general Talat Masood said the army still treats militants and Afghan rebels as "assets" because of its deep conviction that India is expanding its influence in Afghanistan and using its consulates there to foment an ethnic rebellion in Pakistan's troubled southwest Baluchistan province.

"There are certain (militant) groups that have the full blessing of the army, some to which they are neutral and some they are against," he said.

Although Pakistan has received some $10 billion in mostly military aid since 2001, the army mistrusts the United States — worried it could one day abandon Pakistan and even turn its guns on a country where it has repeatedly voiced concern that al-Qaida's leadership is regrouping.

"They still believe in the same thing — that America will leave them tomorrow," Masood said. "And we'll be left high and dry with India strong, and a hostile government in Afghanistan and that we will have no friends."

Two faced Pakistan and we still funnel how many Billions to them to fight Terror

2008-07-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

(CBS) Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday directly accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of being behind a recent series of attacks by Taliban militants that have killed scores of people, reports CBS News' Sami Yousafzai.

After a high level meeting with his aides and cabinet members focusing on the country's diminishing law and order, Karzai blamed the premier spy agency of Pakistan, ISI and Pak army for the increasing insecurity and lawlessness in Afghanistan.

A press release from the cabinet sent to CBS News said Afghanistan had done its best during the last six-and-a-half years to stay away from a war of words with Pakistan and did everything it could do to have a friendly relationship with its neighbor. But, according to the statement, the intelligence agency and Pak army sustained its interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

The press release added that Afghanistan suffered tremendous losses due to the intrusion of Pakistani spies and their atrocities.

"Every day, in each and every corner of the country our children, women, Ulema, teachers and workers of international community have been killed by the plots of the ISI agency," the release said. "Our schools and hospitals are being torched."

"The people of Afghanistan and the international community are now quite sure that Pakistan has not only become a safe haven for terrorists but it also exports terrorism."

"We supported the recent elections in Pakistan with the hope that the new government would watch the activities of ISI and would take practical steps in stop ISI from interfering in the internal dealings of Afghanistan."

The release cited the Kandahar jailbreak, the beheading of Afghans in Bajaur and Waziristan, the recent suicide blast in Urozghan and the bombing of the Indian embassy as being the work of the Pakistani spy agency.

Karzai warned that unless Pakistan can convince him that they'll reel the spy agency in, talks scheduled between the two countries about assistance on the border and economic cooperation in the coming would be postponed.

An Afghan political analyst Ahmad Saad Saedi, who served recently as diplomat in Pakistan told Yousafzai Karzai should take a clear stand on Pakistan's interference in Afghanistan's domestic affairs.

"Pakistan plays the role of an arrogant and self-seeking regional power and believes strongly that Afghanistan would harm Pakistan, which is why it does not want peace in Afghanistan,” Saedi added.

Saedi believes the U.S. should pressure Pakistan to stop inciting violence in Afghanistan.

In a sign that tensions between the two countries is coming to a head, a couple of Karzai's ministers suggested the Afghan ambassador to Islamabad be recalled temporarily as a sign of protest, according to a source inside the Karzai palace.

By Sami Yousafzai
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

173rd Airborne heading for home

2008-07-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, July 12, 2008

Dave Melancon / U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Dave Garver, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), his wife, Jill, and 15-month-old son, Payton, leave for home following a welcome home ceremony held for about 250 Vicenza, Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team soldiers Thursday.

Dave Melancon / U.S. Army
Family members greet returning Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team soldiers during a welcome home ceremony Thursday evening.

With the advance parties safely home, the bulk of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team’s six battalions are starting to return.

After a trying 15 months in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. Army Europe’s only airborne unit should be completely redeployed over the next several weeks.

Many of the returnees have spent two of the last three years supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

More than 250 members of 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), returned to Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, on Thursday night, bringing the number of safely returned troops to 530, said Jon Fleshman, public affairs officer for U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza.

The 530 are about a quarter of the 1,900 due back in Italy by the beginning of August, Fleshman said, adding that another group of paratroops is due Friday.

Also returning Friday is a large group cavalrymen from 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Seven years, $3.2 billion: A regional development plan to fix Afghanistan

2008-07-11T20:08:00.001-07:00

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, July 12, 2008

Nangarhar Inc. is a regional growth plan that the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the State Department put together to try to boost an area in eastern Afghanistan.

JALALABAD, Afghanistan — Attention Bill and Melinda Gates: Col. Charles Preysler has got a deal for you.

Give him $3.2 billion and seven years, and he’ll turn a province in Afghanistan into an economic center that could turn around the fortunes of two of the most troubled countries on Earth. He’ll also eventually eliminate the need for U.S. troops in a country they’ve had a presence in since late 2001.

He’s got a 62-page plan — developed by his command and the U.S. State Department — describing three dozen projects designed to make Nangarhar province an economic center that could better the lives of people on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Preysler calls Nangarhar "an economic engine waiting to take off." He’s not mixing metaphors as much as it might appear, because one of the key projects listed in Nangarhar Inc. is an international airport that would help get food produced in the region out to wider markets.

In theory, Preysler, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, won’t be around for much of the time to see the projects through. He and his troops are getting ready to return to Italy after spending almost 15 months in country. But one of the components in Nangarhar Inc. — the name of the plan, not a company — is establishing an agency to watch over and manage all the projects identified.

"It’s more than just a project list," said Jeremy Brenner, a State Department official who serves as Preysler’s political adviser. "It’s a regional development plan."

One created by soldiers from the brigade along with their counterparts from the State Department during about 10 days in March.

"We think it’s a model for success in interagency cooperation," said Maj. David Spencer, the point man on the project for the brigade. "I think it’s unprecedented."

Brenner said officials backing the project realize that most of the early investment is going to come from U.S. government agencies or nongovernmental agencies looking to make a difference. Private companies looking for a return on their investments would follow, with other donors – such as the Gateses – welcome to step in at any time they wish.

An unusual effort

Brenner said he’s not aware of any similar efforts on such a scale in Afghanistan or Iraq. He appears to have bought into the concept, although he’s not wild about the name Nangarhar Inc.

"It’s a bit of a misnomer," he said. "We’re not just talking about Nangarhar. We’re talking about eastern Afghanistan and beyond."

Preysler said he’s got "no idea" where all the money needed for the projects will come from.

"We’re going to find it," he said, adding that he and future military commanders only have a few million dollars each to contribute during their rotations. That would leave the projects a few billion dollars short of funding. "We really do need to get other government help and international donors. Part of it is marketing. We’ve got to let people know what’s out here."

Nangarhar Inc. calls for projects that would take advantage of the province’s location and natural resources. After roads, an airport, electricity-producing dams and other needed systems are in place, more efficient farms and factories would follow.

Since the U.S. believes that much of the insurgency is fueled by people who don’t have enough money to feed their families, greater prosperity would give them fewer reasons to fight and more reasons to support their government.

Preysler said he’s been in Afghanistan three times and has seen progress from tour to tour. "But not within the tour," he said. "Sometimes it’s like watching paint dry. But this time … I won’t declare success. But I have seen progress."

Preysler laughs when asked when he changed from an infantry brigade commander into a chamber of commerce spokesman.

"It took me until October to figure it out," he said. "I had to do my primary job, which is security, before that. We were fighting all summer long."

Other assets

Although an interview is interrupted a few times by aides updating him about flare-ups along the border, Preysler said the security situation in Nangarhar has improved enough that he can focus on the future.

"Most of the day, I spend talking about development and governance," he said. "And not fighting."

Afghan forces provide much of the security in Nangarhar, Preysler said. That’s not the case in other parts of his area of responsibility, such as Kunar province, where the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment has seen heavy fighting throughout its rotation.

But Preysler, Brenner and Spencer say that relative security is only one of Nangarhar’s assets. It has three rivers that could be used to generate electricity needed to fuel growth. The old Silk Road that carried goods between places such as China and Europe passes through. Pakistan and a rail network that reaches the port of Karachi aren’t far away. Neither is Kabul, the largest city in Afghanistan. Small farms are plentiful and they’re largely producing crops other than opium. Nangarhar’s biggest city, Jalalabad, is one of the largest in the country and is one of its quickest-growing population centers.

"Nangarhar has all of those things going for it, unlike most other areas in Afghanistan," Spencer said.

It still shares some of the challenges faced by the rest of the country. The criminal justice system is largely in disarray, for example.

"Before you can get General Electric to come in and build a dam on the Kunar River, you really need to deal with some governance issues and rule of law issues," Brenner said. "And we’re trying to do that."

Preysler sounds more like an infantry brigade commander again when summing it up the plan.

"This is a road map," he said. "This makes sense."

Now this just pisses me off

2008-07-11T11:44:00.001-07:00

Putting Her Foot Down and Getting the Boot

Former Arlington Public Affairs Director Gina Gray, whose boss said she acted inappropriately. (By Ricky Carioti -- The Washington Post)
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By Dana Milbank

Thursday, July 10, 2008; Page A03

The ghost of Rummy is proving difficult to exorcise.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has tried to sweep out the symbols of his predecessor's capricious reign, firing acolytes of Donald Rumsfeld and bringing glasnost to the Pentagon.

But in one area, Rummy's Rules still pertain: the attempt to hide from public view the returning war dead.

When Gina Gray took over as the public affairs director at Arlington National Cemetery about three months ago, she discovered that cemetery officials were attempting to impose new limits on media coverage of funerals of the Iraq war dead -- even after the fallen warriors' families granted permission for the coverage. She said that the new restrictions were wrong and that Army regulations didn't call for such limitations.

Six weeks after The Washington Post reported her efforts to restore media coverage of funerals, Gray was demoted. Twelve days ago, the Army fired her.

"Had I not put my foot down, had I just gone along with it and not said regulations were being violated, I'm sure I'd still be there," said the jobless Gray, who, over lunch yesterday in Crystal City, recounted what she is certain is her retaliatory dismissal. "It's about doing the right thing."

Army Secretary Pete Geren, in an interview last night, said he couldn't comment on Gray's firing. But he said the overall policy at Arlington is correct. "It appears to me that we've struck the right balance, consistent with the wishes of the family," the secretary said.

Gray, in tank top, jeans, Ray-Bans over her Army cap and flip-flops revealing pink toenails, struck an unlikely figure for a whistle-blower yesterday as she provided documents detailing her ill-fated and tumultuous few months at Arlington. She worked for eight years in the Army as a public affairs specialist in Germany, Italy and Iraq, then returned to Iraq as an army contractor doing media operations. While working with the 173rd Airborne in Iraq in 2003, her convoy was ambushed and, she says, she still has some hearing loss from the explosion. The 30-year-old Arizonan was hired to work at Arlington in April.

Just 10 days on the job, she was handling media coverage for the burial of a Marine colonel who had been killed in Iraq when she noticed that Thurman Higginbotham, the cemetery's deputy superintendent, had moved the media area 50 yards away from the service, obstructing the photographs and making the service inaudible. The Washington Sketch column on April 24 noted that Gray pushed for more access to the service but was "apparently shot down by other cemetery officials."

Gates had his staff inquire with the cemetery about the article and was told that "the policy had not in any way changed," Gates's spokesman, Geoff Morrell, said yesterday. Geren, the Army secretary, added that "the policy has not changed, and I understand the practice hasn't, either."

That, however, is false. Through at least 2005 -- during Rumsfeld's tenure, no less -- reporters were placed in a location where they could hear the prayers and the eulogies and film the handing of the folded flag to the next of kin. The coverage of the ceremonies -- in the nearly two-thirds of cases where families permitted it -- provided moving reminders to a distracted nation that there was a war going on. But the access gradually eroded, and Gray arrived to discover that it was gone.

And soon, so was Gray. After Gates's inquiry into The Post column, Gray, still days into her new job, began to get some rough treatment. "Gina, when you leave the building let me know," said a one-line e-mail from her supervisor, Phyllis White, on May 2. Then Gray was instructed not to work overtime without written approval, and then was ordered to take down a Marines poster from her cubicle wall. "Please change your title from public affairs director to public affairs officer," White instructed in a June 9 e-mail.

Gray complained to Arlington's superintendent, John Metzler, and was briefly removed from White and Higginbotham's supervision. But on May 27, White sent an e-mail announcing that "Mr. Metzler changed his mind, I will continue as your supervisor." The acrimony increased. Gray went to the hospital complaining of stress-related headaches; while she was recovering, her BlackBerry was disconnected "to alleviate you from stress," as White put it.

Arlington's problems with the burial of the Iraq dead go far beyond Gray; the cemetery is looking for its fourth public affairs director in the past few years. Gray contends that Higginbotham has been calling the families of the dead to encourage them not to allow media coverage at the funerals -- a charge confirmed by a high-ranking official at Arlington, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Gray says Higginbotham told staff members that he called the family of the next soldier scheduled for burial at Arlington and that the family, which had originally approved coverage, had changed its mind. Gray charges that Higginbotham admitted he had been making such calls to families for a year and said that the families "appreciated him keeping the media out."

Higginbotham, White and Metzler did not respond to e-mail messages yesterday seeking their comment. An Army spokesman said Higginbotham and other Arlington officials call families only if their wishes regarding media coverage are unclear.

On June 27, Gray got her termination memo. White said Gray had "been disrespectful to me as your supervisor and failed to act in an inappropriate manner." Failed to act in an in appropriate manner? The termination notice was inadvertently revealing: Only at Arlington National Cemetery could it be considered a firing offense to act appropriately.

Now this just pisses me off

2008-07-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Putting Her Foot Down and Getting the Boot

Former Arlington Public Affairs Director Gina Gray, whose boss said she acted inappropriately. (By Ricky Carioti -- The Washington Post)
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By Dana Milbank

Thursday, July 10, 2008; Page A03

The ghost of Rummy is proving difficult to exorcise.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has tried to sweep out the symbols of his predecessor's capricious reign, firing acolytes of Donald Rumsfeld and bringing glasnost to the Pentagon.

But in one area, Rummy's Rules still pertain: the attempt to hide from public view the returning war dead.

Six weeks after The Washington Post reported her efforts to restore media coverage of funerals, Gray was demoted. Twelve days ago, the Army fired her.

A Grandmothers encouragement to me a Dad

2008-07-08T21:43:00.000-07:00

O.K. That sounds weird, let me explain here before I go off. My son hangs out when he can with a particular soldier from the same unit (173rd Airborne Brigade) when he is re-fitting at his FOB. They mix it up a bit and and have fun with Xbox when they can. I guess they have become some good friends and hope they stay in-touch with each other over the years. Old Army friends are always good to have. I am sure Ronnie and Cheri will agree since they have been through a life time of service to our government.

I have made a point of making my views known recently and I feel bad because I didn't want it to get political but now it has since my last two postings. Our soldiers deserve the best equipment and support. I guess being out of Iraq is a good thing on a time line. I feel we need more troops in Afghanistan to finish the mission. If you agree then please shout out.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

One unit's last mission

2008-07-07T05:39:00.000-07:00

The following article from the Wall Street Journal is an excellent “war correspondent’s” story about what it was like to accompany a group of soldiers on their last patrol before returning to the States. (The above photo shows other soldiers in Afghanistan.):

* * * *

Wall Street Journal
July 5, 2008
Pg. 1

The Last Patrol

U.S. Troops in Afghanistan, Set to Leave, Are Called Back For One More Mission. Will Their Luck Run Out?

By Michael M. Phillips

NARAY, Afghanistan -- It's 4 a.m., and a slender crescent moon casts a pale light over Spc. Sean Geer. He has nine bottles of water and 10 loaded rifle magazines strapped to his body armor. He has a bandana tied under his helmet to soak up the sweat. He has removed the pointer and middle fingers from his glove to give him a better feel for the trigger.

"Ready for a fun one?" Spc. Geer radios in hushed tones to a buddy. It's another patrol, and one of the other cavalry scouts jokes that this war feels like a barroom fight where you can't cry uncle.

"Enjoy your cigarettes," says a lieutenant. "Then we'll go."

Sean Geer's war is supposed to be over. But it's going to be a long, hot day.

Few war stories disturb soldiers more than the one about the man who gets hit just before he's due to go home. Not far from here, an Army medic was killed by a hidden bomb days before he was to leave. An officer in Spc. Geer's squadron, 1-91 Cavalry, stepped on a land mine within weeks of the end of his combat tour, shattering his foot.

On Sunday, Spc. Geer and his fellow scouts thought such worries were behind them. They were back in camp cleaning their gear. Sergeants were collecting night-vision goggles, ammunition and the grenade launcher. They were waiting for the helicopter ride that would start them on their journey home.

Then this comes along: The colonel needs someone to do a mission. He hands it to the captain and the captain calls the lieutenant. The lieutenant tells the sergeants and before long, the scouts know their war is on again.

They all know it stinks, but what can they do? What began as an effort to topple the Taliban government has become a drawn-out guerrilla war, and there's always another patrol -- another insurgent to be killed or another heart to be won.

The seven-year conflict has become a growing concern to Pentagon brass, rivaling the war in Iraq. Taliban insurgents have intensified attacks in the east and the south, making June the deadliest month so far for the U.S.-led coalition. The government of Hamid Karzai still struggles to exert its authority, and the lawless tribal areas bordering Pakistan have become a haven for militants. The Pentagon said this week that it is extending the tour by an extra month of 2,200 Marines sent to Afghanistan this spring to bolster coalition forces.

Spc. Geer's new orders come at a moment when he's rethinking the war. Right after he arrived in the country, he thought constantly about being shot. His mother died when he was 10 years old. When the fighting gets crazy, he drops to his knee, drinks some water and asks her to look out for him: "Tell the people who don't know I love them that I do."

At 16 years old, he dropped out of high school in Ventura, Calif., worked in a coffee shop, fixed hot rods and ran with the drug crowd. By 19 he had had enough. He got his diploma and joined the Army. Now 22 and just over a year away from the end of his enlistment, he's planning a career as an entrepreneur. He and another scout are in the middle of starting an online clothing company with T-shirts that reflect their combat experience. One shows the outline of a soldier scaling a mountain in front of a faded American flag.

"There's got to be more out there," Spc. Geer says. "We've got to be able to do more with our lives than fight this war."

When he gets word the platoon has one more patrol, he trusts his buddies to cover his back. First Platoon, Bulldog Troop hasn't lost a man during 14 months in combat, 14 months of humping heavy gear up and down steep mountains, 14 months of firefights with an enemy who's never quite in view.

That evening, First Lt. Henry "Hank" Hughes IV, the platoon leader, briefs the men. The 24-year-old comes from a long military line. One ancestor was a captain in the Philadelphia militia in the Revolutionary War. His great grandfather served in World War I, his grandfather in World War II and his father in Bosnia. His mother was a captain in the signal corps.

The lieutenant studied English and film at Boston University, where he developed a fondness for French films. He used to think of himself as something of a pacifist, but joined the Army knowing full well he'd end up at war. Now he commands 26 men, most of them not much younger than himself. Only one of his scouts has been wounded in action; Spc. Thomas Alford was shot through the jaw and neck. At his insistence, he was back with the platoon three months later.

On a white board, the lieutenant sketches the snaking curves of the Kunar River, which runs close to the Pakistan border, and draws the contours of the ridge that overlooks the village of Nangal, a couple of miles south of the Army base. In June, insurgents left the villagers an anonymous note warning them against educating women. Shortly afterwards, someone set fire to the girls' school there. When the villagers rushed to put it out, they were shot at from the ridges above town.

The Afghan government, wanting to cement its ties in the village, has dispatched the Afghan National Army to drive to Nangal, chat with local elders and hand out pens, paper and other school supplies. Lt. Hughes's platoon is going along to help protect against insurgent attacks; the Americans have heavier weapons and can call in air and artillery support, if needed.

With half of his men, Lt. Hughes will leave at dawn and go on foot to the ridge overlooking the town. The other half, in heavily armed Humvees, will escort the Afghan troops and stay outside the village to maintain security.

After the scouts leave the briefing, Lt. Hughes turns to his platoon sergeant. "Too easy," he says.

"Every plan is easy until the first shot is fired," replies Sgt. First Class Michael Burns, 38, of Fort Wayne, Ind. "Then it all goes to hell."

In Monday's pre-dawn light, Lt. Hughes, Spc. Geer and the other scouts set out past the razor wire. The lieutenant cheerfully greets the Afghan security guards at the front gate, and in a loud, clear voice says the name of a town far down the valley, well beyond Nangal, in case they're working for the other side, too.

The troops walk down the dirt road in a staggered column, leaving enough room between men so a hidden bomb or lucky mortar shot would kill only one of them. They move silently, except for the crunch of boots on rock. They pass a few bearded herders hissing at their goats.

At a quarter to five the scouts turn right up the steep hillside. Generations of farmers have built waist-high stone walls on the slope, turning it into a giant staircase of narrow terraces for planting crops. The men zigzag arduously up the terraces, reaching down to hoist each other up when the walls get higher and the rocks looser.

As they climb, a single gunshot sounds in the distance.

"You hear that?" asks Spc. Justin Jones, 24, of Jasper, Ala. It's his job to call in artillery fire if the scouts get into trouble.

"Yeah -- probably over the ridge," Spc. Geer says. It's impossible to tell where it came from, where it went or if it had anything to do with them. They trudge on.

The men have spent months carrying heavy loads in the high Hindu Kush mountains. But in recent weeks they've spent more time at the main squadron base and have lost some of their edge. As they walk, Lt. Hughes notices a young girl bounding up the terraces with her goats.

"There's the embarrassing part," he says. "An 11-year-old girl is going to pass us."

At 5:30 a.m., the sun emerges over the mountain peaks. Spc. Matthew Short, a 21-year-old from Winter Haven, Fla., reaches the top of the 900-foot ridge. He looks over, expecting to see Nangal below. It isn't there.

"We're on the wrong spur," he yells to the lieutenant.

Hundreds of yards of open ground lie between this ridge and the next. Lt. Hughes leaves half the patrol to provide cover while he, Spc. Geer, Spc. Short and two others press ahead.

Twenty-five minutes later, the men reach the top. The village still isn't in sight. The lieutenant orders the men on the first ridge to join them.

"Whose idea was it to walk anyway?" Lt. Hughes asks Spc. Geer.

"Word on the street is that it was yours, sir," the specialist answers.

Spc. Geer finishes a bottle of water, takes out his knife and slices it up. He has heard around camp that the insurgents are short of canteens and he doesn't want to help them out by leaving plastic bottles around.

Spc. Short and the lieutenant pull out their maps to figure out what has gone wrong. As best they can make out, either the maps are wrong or the satellite coordinates they were given are wrong. In any case, they have no other choice than to keep climbing.

"It never ends," gasps Spc. Short, as he tops the third ridge and sees two more ahead, like pleats in a skirt.

"It's alright," says Spc. Austin Nenneman, a 21-year-old radio operator from Sacramento, Calif. "We're almost out of this place."

A goat trail cuts steeply across the front of the fifth ridge. The lieutenant reaches the top first, and finds a sweeping view of Nangal and, sprouting from the hard, brown soil, wild marijuana. "There's weed all over here," he says when Spc. Short reaches the crest.

"Weed and surfboards?" Spc. Short asks hopefully.

The hilltop is fortified with stone trenches and bunkers, apparently built when Afghan guerillas fought the Soviets decades ago. The lieutenant puts a machine gunner on either end of his position. Riflemen overlook the village, which consists of a dozen of so flat houses.

Sgt. Michael Harrington, 28, from Muskegon, Mich., jokingly asks the lieutenant for permission to fire his grenade launcher. "It's the last mission," he pleads.
"Stop saying it's the last mission," Spc. Geer snaps.

At 7:30 a.m., the soldiers watch the Humvees carrying the other half of the platoon alongside the Kunar River road, spouting plumes of dust. The Afghan soldiers arrive soon after in tan pickup trucks.

Lt. Hughes and his men are watching the ridgelines for attackers when the river valley fills with a deep, thudding boom. Moments later there's a loud whiz from above. The big guns back at the base are firing artillery rounds into the mountains to the north. The shells can travel almost 19 miles, too far for the scouts to hear them crash back to earth.

Spc. Geer takes up a position behind a tumbledown rock wall, looking towards the river. His arms are a canvas of tattoos. His mother's death date is tattooed onto his neck with a winged heart and a cross. "Mom," it says.

Under the left sleeve of his camouflage fatigues, from shoulder to elbow, is a blue Virgin Mary, surrounded by roses and $100 bills. "Forgive me Father, for blood will spill," it says.

Spc. Geer says the tattoo symbolizes his guilt and his aspirations. "I'm sorry for what I've done here, and I'd like to be a business professional once I get out," he says.

After a few hours, the lieutenant receives word that the Afghan soldiers and their Humvee escort have safely returned to base. Just before 11 a.m., the scouts start back down the hill. As he jumps down the dried terraces, Spc. Geer thinks about the price of war; the killing bothers him as much as the dying.

"I wish there were another way to do this, but there's not," he says. "Death is the only language they understand."

The troops head for the road this time, making their way past stone houses and surprised farmers. A one-eyed man with a thick white beard walks by. "Salaam aleikum," Spc. Geer says, the traditional Arabic phrase meaning "'peace be with you." The man smiles and waves.

At noon, after eight hours and 3,000 feet of climbing, the scouts return to base. They drop in the shade, most of them too tired to strip off their sweat-soaked body armor.

* * * *

We must never forget that the War on Terror is being fought on multiple fronts throughout the world. Keep our troops in your prayers.

Charles M. Grist
www.AmericanRanger.blogspot.com

SGT. Ryan Connelly, Afganistan, and the ultimate sacrifice

2008-07-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

I want to take this time to apologize to those that I may have offended on my last posting however, my views are still the same. You see I truly believe that if a country has a Battalion (roughly 400 to a 600) troops you have a Brigade (3,500) that the Battalion is attached to. Why not send the whole unit? We spend hundreds of billions of dollars as Americans for products like Mercedes Benz's, Toyota's, Honda's and lets not forget Ferrari's just to name a few. Wait, what about the Billion or so we send to country like Columbia as economic aid, where are their troops? Hey, what about Mexico where millions of Americans travel too for vacations and the Billions spent there, is Mexico in Afghanistan? Hmmmm

Yes I am frustrated here with so many American families making the ultimate sacrifice for America. I suppose a part of it is my own personal struggle with deciding whether or not I will attend a funeral for a very young Airborne Soldier tomorrow. I believe I should because my soldier would want me too. I have attended 3 already and it is hard and very emotional. I also have attended because I am truly in dept to these men and women who serve because they allow me to write this Blog and present my thoughts to you my readers. If it were not for them I may have been locked up and in a cell. I know that is a bit of an extreme comment but it could be true were it not for our troops.

I also want to take this time to thank our British and Canadian friends. Thanks for pulling some of the weight. I know both countries have had significant losses and my heart goes out to those families as well.

So, I have decided to attend SGT. Ryan Connelly service to thank his family for their ultimate sacrifice to our country. If anyone would like to pay respects but is to far away to attend then you can do so by making a donation. Donations can be made to the Ryan Connolly Trust Fund, c/o Washington Mutual Bank, 835 Fourth St., Santa Rosa 95404.

Hey, I am just a Dad dealing with the same frustrations you are dealing with but want to be truthful.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA
A Blue Star DadPublish Post
( I want to keep it that way )

Fireworks, a sense of pride and Soldiers

2008-07-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today I was thinking what I was going to say here today on a day that many Americans celebrate with party and cheer when I found myself thinking of some of the sacrifices families have made with the lives of there own serving this country as well as those that will be forever disabled for life for their own sacrifice during conflict. It truly makes my heart saddened what they (the families of those fallen and wounded soldiers) sacrificed in order for us to celebrate this holiday. I guess I really have been thinking about this for a few weeks really but I have been able to break it down now in my mind. Like many of you I subscribe to Google Alerts on Afghanistan and from what I have been reading I am really upset.

You see, my thought based on these reports of needing more troops on the ground in Afghanistan and the European Union (Germany 1000 troops), (France another 1000 troops) who knows what other countries are supporting too little in both conflicts the U.S. is involved in. I do believe it is called The World on Terrorism? I know I promised this would not be a political Blog but enough is enough. Where is the Kuwaiti, Saudi, Dubai, Mexico, Columbia, and so many other Countries that rely on the U.S. Economy. Flashback to the days of only buying American which includes fuel and all other goods. The hell with these countries, they have been earning on our coat tails long enough.

To the family in Santa Rosa who is waiting to lay a young soldier to rest for his most dedicated service to me, this Nation and to all man kind. To a woman and her daughter who stays by there soldiers side that was wounded and is facing serious challenges on recovery in San Antonio (You go Leslie and Breezy) not to mention all our other Soldiers injured or Fallen. We the people now must make a stand. If the World is not behind us, why should we be supporting them? Stand up for what is right and let's boycott! No more Free trade, No more free tickets on humanitarian aid. Let take care of our own while the rest of the World only thinks of themselves. Let's think of ourselves for once.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA A Blue Star Dad

(I want to keep it that way)

Grand Parents, Parents and Soldiers

2008-07-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

I recently corresponded with a Grandmother of one of our Sky Soldiers and have determined that while our soldiers worry about their positions and safety but most of all, their return to home. I am glad that they have made a difference to a country that is in turmoil. Afghanistan deserves a new start don't you think. I have been watching a mothers Blog about a son that has made a sacrifice for Afghanistan. His name is Kevin and I wish him a good recovery. No matter what, I will keep him in my prayers. My son is so important to me and yet at times I feel guilty knowing that mothers like Leslie is going though so much pain. I pray that my son will return unscathed and continue to serve. Leslie and Breezy, I am so sorry for your sorrows and hardships. May the Lord help you in your hardship.

Men like Kevin continue to make this country a Great Nation and a Country to look up too.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA a Blue Star Dad

Our Brave Soldiers

2008-06-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Awards demonstrate valor of ‘The Rock’

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, June 29, 2008

Silver Stars awarded to six of unit’s soldiers

Six soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment have received Silver Stars during the unit’s tour in Afghanistan. A brief look at their actions, according to the narratives submitted for the awards:

Staff Sgt. Robert J. Smith and Sgt. Mattew D. Coulter earned their medals on July 5, 2007, during an air assault by soldiers from Company A into the village of Tsangar.

Smith, acting as a platoon sergeant for the mission, organized the defense of his unit and an Afghan National Army contingent that came under attack away from the main company element. After evacuating wounded soldiers, Smith’s squad came under attack again. He directed the perimeter defense "without regard to the hail of enemy fire and RPG strikes only feet from his position."

Coulter called in strikes by French Mirage fighter jets in the initial contact and later directed artillery strikes to suppress enemy fire and "exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to maintain observation of direct fire and ensure his fellow Paratroopers received the most accurate and timely fires."

First Lt. Matthew Ferrara and Spc. Jason Baldwin of Company C were honored for their efforts during an attack by insurgents on Aug. 22 on the Ranch House outpost. A numerically superior enemy force almost overran the compound before the attackers were repelled.

Ferrara maintained communications with his headquarters even after an rocket-propelled grenade took out his antenna. He then directed A-10 fire against posts on base that enemy forces had overrun and directed an offensive against insurgents once reinforcements arrived.

Baldwin protected Ferrara and the command center by firing his 60 mm mortar at the advancing enemy and tossing hand grenades at enemy forces that had advanced to within 10 meters of his position. "He acted without regard for his own life, but with incredible courage and quick thinking that destroyed a quickly advancing enemy force…," according to the narrative.

Ferrara was later killed in an ambush.

First Lt. Gregory Ambrosia, executive officer of Company A, led a platoon-size element during a night assault into the upper Watapur Valley on Sept. 25. The platoon’s position was attacked in the morning and Ambrosia lobbed several hand grenades at enemy positions before ordering five smoke grenades to mark U.S. positions. He then directed repeated artillery fire and Apache helicopter attacks "while receiving intense enemy fire directed at his command post."

Staff Sgt. Erick Gallardo’s platoon from Company B was providing support for other elements when it was ambushed on Oct. 25. Two of his soldiers were immediately hit. Gallardo led his team to the wounded soldiers and was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round.

He directed suppressing fire and continued to move toward the enemy and his fallen soldiers, tossing hand grenades.

He then treated one wounded soldier while two other soldiers fought off insurgents trying to carry away another wounded soldier. Gallardo then treated that soldier and coordinated the platoon’s defense and evacuation of five wounded soldiers.

CAMP BLESSING, Afghanistan — Command Sgt. Major Bradley Meyers doesn’t seem surprised by his battalion’s performance in Kunar Province over the last 14 months.

"I think that soldiers will meet expectations," the top enlisted soldier in the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment said. "If you train them properly, they’ll do just fine."

"Just fine," in this case, might be an understatement.

Soldiers from "The Rock" have been awarded six Silver Stars. Forty-eight have earned Bronze Stars with valor. More than 140 Army Commendation Medals with valor have been approved. Ninety-eight Purple Hearts have been awarded. More than 150 other awards for valor have been submitted for approval — including two for the Medal of Honor, three of for the Distinguished Service Cross and three more for Silver Stars.

The numbers are a testament to the fierce fighting the battalion has seen in Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks have become both more numerous and more brazen over the past year.

The battalion has been involved in about 950 engagements with the enemy during its stint in Afghanistan. Fifteen soldiers from the unit and two Marines working in the province have died during the rotation. About two dozen members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan Border Police have also been killed in the line of duty.

Meyers, who joined the battalion during its last tour in Afghanistan, said 2-503 has aggressively interacted with the local population during both of its stints in country.

"Get out in the battle space, hook up with the local population and maintain relations with the locals," he said. "When you do that, you’re going to end up running into the enemy."

"We’re both fighting for the human terrain," Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, the battalion commander, said. "We go about it in different ways and for much different reasons. But we and the enemy both need the support of the local population."

The unit operates in the low hills and mountains near this outpost in the Pech River Valley in eastern Afghanistan. The rugged border with Pakistan has long been a hideout and transit route for Taliban and other fighters in Afghanistan.

And while the fight has intensified in southern Afghanistan, the combat has been steady and thick here.

Staff Sgt. Brandon Thomas, a member of Company A, has received three Purple Hearts during the rotation. He’s been wounded in the shin, head and inner thigh. He received the Army Commendation Medal with valor recently, but said he wasn’t any different from any other soldier in the battalion.

"In my opinion, a valor award is just an act of stupidity viewed by others as heroism," he said with a half-smile. "I guess I never learned to find cover in basic training."

A group of soldiers standing around him when he said that all laughed and shook their heads. Several of them had also earned medals with valor during the tour.

"Unfortunately, we don’t get the respect and attention that soldiers fighting in Iraq do," Thomas said, turning more serious. "But we’ve been fighting every day."

"We have a pretty humble group of guys," Ostlund said. "They don’t talk about themselves much. Some of them have seen as much combat as anyone in the Army."

Everyone please pray to your higher power for this family

2008-06-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks,

I am sorry it has been awhile since I have posted but I have been tempted to share some information that is exciting but at the same time I must honor a request from Rock 6 and remember OPSEC how ever there is something I want to share with everyone that everyone needs to know about so that we can support one of our own Sky Soldiers. The following is a cut and paste of a mothers Blog and can use our support. Here is her link to her Blog http://www.lesliekamm.blogspot.com/

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Day 22 - June 22, 2008

My mom and my nephew, Anthony, came today for the week. I am so glad. Much needed because the doctor's visit didn't turn out to be a good one like we had hoped.

So apparently Kev has meningitis. I asked Breezy and neither one of us had heard that word spoken before, so I guess when the technical name was given - it went right over our heads.

Unfortunately, the docs have tried all the antibiotics they have for it, and so far nothing has worked. Kevin is on the last one possible and tomorrow they are planning to do a spinal tap to get a sample of the fluid to see if it is working. We will know if it's not within 24 hours and if it is in 3 days (I think I got that right). Now the downside to this is that this antibiotic is so incredibly strong, it is causing some degree of kidney failure (docs exact words). This is really scaring me. The doc says it's one or the other as they are both as serious as it gets - meningitis or kidney failure. Gonna stick my head in the sand on this one, at least for the night.

Kev also started coughing up orange stuff this afternoon. We know that as of this morning it was the right white/brownish color. The docs are running tests to see what could be the problem.

As for the grafts? Kev needs only 5% of his body grafted yet. Assuming all goes well with the antibiotics, that may be done later this week. I hope so. The sooner it gets done, the sooner we go to Tampa to the brain trauma hospital.

I'm a little worried about Breezy too. She is starting to crack a little. She has so much going on. Her boyfriend, Alan, is leaving for Iraq next month. Tim is here. She misses her friends. She misses her job. She is scared financially. She just misses her life (as I do and I can damn well say that Kev does). All of this - and the terrifying reality of Kevin's situation also. It's just too much for anyone to handle and I can only hold her as she cries, just as she does for me. Keep her in your thoughts, please. She needs strength vibes sent her way.

So I think I am going to wrap this up for the night. I am just tired and want to go to bed early.

Posted by Leslie Kamm at 11:09 PM

July 27, 2007 not to be forgotten

2008-05-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

A fellow blogger shared this PBS special with me. This is a total tear jerker so (as she wrote) keep the Kleenex tissue handy. You WILL need it as this is the most heart felt story. Chris is a true American Hero. He served with our sons of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. PFC Christopher Pfeifer, your mission has been completed, rest in peace Paratrooper.
You need to cut and paste to your browser.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_tAge6pEVE

Humbly,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Memorial Day Tribute to all our Fallen.

2008-05-26T00:11:00.000-07:00

I sit here in front of my computer after attending my Daughters graduation where she received her BA in Asian American Studies thinking of Memorial Day, what it means to me and how to honor it. So in memory of all the men and women who have fallen protecting my beliefs, rights way of life and freedoms I want to express my condolences to the Parents, Wives, Husbands and Children of the Fallen, Thank you for your sacrifices. A very special Thank You to the Families and Friends of the Fallen from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team who have lost their loved ones during this deployment your sacrifice has been huge.

I also want to take this a bit further personally. To the families of Joseph Miracle and Benjamin Hall. My son went through Basic and Jump school with Joseph and speaks of him often even today and the fine Officer Ben Hall who even though was not in my sons chain of command sought Ben's advice on his future with the Army. These men has made an impact on Alex and I want to recognize this. On behalf of my son and the rest of my family, I want to Thank You All! I found this video on the net and found it very fitting to post here and thought it great to
close with. I hope you enjoy it.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=173rd+airborne+brigade&hl=en&sitesearch=#q=memorial%20day&hl=en&sitesearch=&start=50

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

Bluestardad (I want to keep it that way)

If you read this, you WILL forward it on. You just won't be able to stop yourself.

2008-05-22T22:12:00.001-07:00

This was sent to me by a Mother of a Trooper serving our great Nation with the 173rd Airborne. I just had to post it.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great- grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

Prayer wheel for our military... Please don't break it Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts

They perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

When you receive this, please stop for a moment

And say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq.

There is nothing attached...

This can be very powerful...

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coast guardsman, Marine,

Or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

(AKA A Blue star Dad and I want to keep that way)

Thoroughbreds, Bells and Starting Gates

2008-05-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

I was privileged to speak to my soldier today. He talked about getting this tour over and speaking of the next combat tour either in Iraq or Afghanistan. He is pretty much determined to exit the Army when his time is done. Who can blame him though. The Army is making changes that may not be in the soldiers interests. In the past he mentioned that he wanted to re-up for another tour. He has submitted paper work to continue the remainder time in the Army with the 173rd. He has submitted paper work to finish his time with the unit he went into Battle with. For Alex it is Brothers first and the future last.

He sounded good in conversation and pumped up with current operations. They have had many attacks against their position but continue to fight and take down the Taliman when they can. They wake under fire and respond with like fire. I look forward to our soldiers return to Italy. It is long awaited by all.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA (A Blue Star Dad and I want to keep it that way)

It's amazing what a phone call can do.

2008-05-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

I have been blessed these last couple of day's. Alex has called me from the VPB while on T.O.C. duty ( monitoring the radios) for three hours. He is looking forward to returning to Italy and speaks volumes of the men he serves with. He recently lost the T.V. they use for the XBox they have from enemy fire. He is worried as the clock ticks by as they prepare to return and perhaps his luck will run out.

Hey his Birthday is 9/11 so I guess I can understand where he is coming from. You guy's are awesome and I want to keep up the traffic to the site. Alex has mentioned that Tanner is a fair Mayor and Poole is one hell of a shot. Upp wants Alex back on his rotation so Davison is shit out of luck during the next rotation.

Just return son, thats what this dad is looking forward too.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA A Blue star Dad (and I want to keep it that way)

Support for our soldiers

2008-05-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I want to share an email from a person and fellow blogger who supports the 173rd Airborne. She offers some great information that maybe helpful to any one of us that has a soldier "Down Range" and are redeploying back to Italy. Please bookmark the website so that you have a reference should you need it. Here is the email sent to me.

HI Larry, been awhile since I emailed you a message. Hope your son is safe. I just wanted to let you know about www.thesoldiersproject.org, in regards to your post about PTSD.

'The Soldiers Project is a private, non-profit, independent group of volunteer licensed mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. We provide free counseling and support to military service members who have served or who expect to serve in the Iraq and/or Afghanistan conflicts and to veterans of those conflicts. We see active duty as well as members of activated Reserve or Guard units. In addition, our services are available to the families and other loved ones of service members. We provide help to service members and families struggling with issues related to the overwhelming trauma of war including the cycle from pre-deployment to deployment to homecoming and re-entry to civilian life. Our services are entirely free of charge. We do not report to any government agency.'

They are based in LA, but are in other areas too. Thought you might want to pass it on to any of the other family members that you are in contact with.

Check out the website, it is filled with great info. i heard about it on the anysoldier forum.

I also posted on my blog http://longislandgirl.vox.com/

All my best,

Joanne

Telephone Ring Tones

2008-04-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Well I rose this morning had my coffee and set out to work. I was driving down 19th Avenue heading for the 280 Freeway when I spot a A.C.U. uniform behind the wheel of a van which government van. Sure enough it was a recruiter with 3 recruits. It made me to start to think of my son when he wanted to visit a recruiter when he was interested in the Military. I made him visit each service as I didn't want to influence my son's decisions on which service to join since I am a prior Army guy. After all the interviews with the different branches I liked the Army guy but kept that to myself. Alex chose the Army on his own even though the recruiter tried talking him out of the Infantry. Alex stood his ground and told the recruiter that it was the Infantry or nothing. Well, you know rest.

As I approached my personal parking space at work 15 minutes before a scheduled meeting at my office my cell phone rang, the tone was the Army Strong ring tone and knew that it was the one and only son of mine. Music to my ears I must say. As you know in my last posting last night I mentioned it has been two weeks since I spoke to him and have been pretty itchy to hear from him again. I guess he returned to Fortress last week after training up some National Guardsmen out at Camp Joyce. The bad news is he caught dysentery while at Joyce and has spent the last week on an IV. He said today is the best he has felt in the week he has been sick. Hey Jamie Scott! Your man is on his way home for R&R enjoy it! SGT Tanner C. is now the Mayor of Fortress , Congrats Vickie C.! D is doing well also and looking forward to returning home. Mellisa,
if you read this then this is for you. Alex has become good friends with D and enjoys serving with him when they are at the same base.

The photo above is of one of my son's N.C.O.'s SGT Davison whom commands my son along with SSG UPP.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA (A Bluestardad) and I want to keep it that way

On the Offensive

2008-04-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

I am writing tonight after preparing care packages that will be sent to my son. After reading the many reports of attacks on our Outpost (OP), Forward Operating Bases (FOB) and let's not forget the Vehicle Patrol Bases (VPB) our fine Col. Chip P. has put the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team on the offensive. Some of you may or may not know but the Brigade has two Marine units attached to them. One is used solely for training the ANA throughout their Area of Operations (AO) and the other is used for offensive operations in the Shurvak, Narang, Korengal and Chowkay Valley's. I am glad the the Col. is bringing the fight to the enemy and foraging good faith with the local populace. My soldier (at last reported via phone) is currently at location 10 on the FRG site training up some National Guard Unit guys on Mortars. It looks like he may be out of the fight but I am sure he will be in it soon. It has been two weeks since I have heard from him but as I tell many parents "No news is great news" I still hope to hear from him soon.

I trust my son's life with Col. Chip P. He seems to be a commander that knows how too command a team of soldiers that can make an affect on the population and accomplish a mission. I will be honest with everyone here, This deployment has not been easy for me as I am not a reader of the magic ball and can determine the future. Many of you are doing many things in the background in supporting our soldiers and I want to thank you for that. Tankerbabelc is also doing many good things and she can be found on the VOX blog site.

I want to thank the following readers for your support during the history of this Blog, since the deployment. Vickie C. you have been great and I truly hope that we cross paths some day. Ronnie and Cheri S. love you guy's! Mel, well you know how I feel. Barb, you are awesome and so many others, thanks for staying in touch. Our guy's will be coming home soon. One last reach out is to a Mother, that I had corresponded with just before she lost her son too this war. Mrs. Miracle and a Father of 1st LT. Ben Hall who died protecting his men on July 31st and I want to include the other 31 families who have sacrificed their loved ones in this battle. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE SACRIFICED I will always think of your loss, and this country's loss. My words will never be enough. As I close I want to thank all of the family members that have loved ones serving in this war. It's not fair that they serve such long tours but I go to bed each and every night knowing they are making a difference, They are the cream of the crop. AIRBORNE!

Best Wishes,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA ABlueStarDad ( I want to keep it that way)

Returning to friendly diggs and nice people

2008-04-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I have been blessed with being able to correspond with some of my readers. I have had the privilege of corresponding with a particular Dad located right here in the Bay Area of San Francisco who enjoyed a great R&R with his soldier these last 18 days. The purpose of my post is this, many of our guy's are coming home and maybe affected with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I am not trying to be negative, I am just trying to be positive here.

My new friends son returned recently for R&R after a long tour in Afghanistan and has returned just a few days ago to the same country. As most of you know I do withhold certain information when asked to, so in this case I will not be revealing any names. I promised the soldiers father that I wouldn't and so I won't, however this should not take away the importance of my topic here.

P.T.S.D. is real but the good news is it can be treated with just a few days home with friends and family and in some cases with medical help. So that you know the government has passed a law that Veterans are now afforded help for 5 years after discharge from the Army.

Now back to my real story, so my new friends son returns for some R&R and has a great time visiting friends and family. During his leave he attends a Track & Field event as his Dad has some involvement with. It's suppose to be a great day meeting new people and seeing his Dad doing what he loves. At the beginning of the meet a starters pistol fires and they are off and our soldier is doing what any other soldier does serving our nation, reacting to enemy fire. Ladies and Gentleman, this is classic sign of some level of P.T.S.D. My own son displayed some classic signs of this when he came home. although those symptoms were not present when he left one only wonders.

They will be in Italy for at least 30 days before being allowed to return home for leave some maybe they will be adjusted before returning home but please monitor them. Get them help if need be, these soldiers are so reluctant to seek help so they need us to to help them.

To the father that has shared with me, thank you Sir. I hope your soldier returns ready to face a life of happiness. My son also experienced some bad moments while traveling home. I think I understand these moments and want to help you all if I can. Read a previous post on P.TS.D I wrote, I hope it helps.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

A Blue Star Dad (I want to keep it that way)

Thank you to all of our troops

He hit the Nail on the head

2008-04-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

~Limbaugh Nailed This One~

Love him or loathe him, he nailed this one right on the head..........

By Rush Limbaugh:

I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.

If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable.

Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.

Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers. (Actually, soldiers are put in harms way by politicians and commanding officers.)

We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.

You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense?

However, our own US Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system. If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of $15,000 per month.

I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting.

" When do we finally do something about this?" If this doesn't seem fair to you, it is time to forward this to as many people as you can.

How many people

CAN YOU

send this to?

****************************

How many

WILL YOU

A fallen soldiers love for his brother never dies

2008-04-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

I want to thank a friend of mine that is also a Mother of one of our soldiers stationed out of Fortress. If you remember back in November of last year we lost one of our own SSG Matthew Blaskowski. Well he may have fallen but his parents are busy doing what Matt would want to be done for his battle buddies. Lets showMatt's parents that have sacrificed so much that we all stand together as a team just like our sons and daughters are doing right now to get through this deployment. Lets welcome them home in Italy with a hero's welcome and you don't have to be physically be there if you are not able. Please take the time to check out this link to find out how you can help Matt's parents achieve what Matt would have done if he were still with us today. Thanks in advance for taking a look. To Mat's parents, thank you for your sacrifice and more importantly to Matt for your love of your fellow battle buddies, may you rest in piece as I will be forever be in debt to you. ,http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=132873

Larry Arnone
San Franciscico
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Pictures continued

2008-03-15T19:48:00.001-07:00

If you see someone you know then let me know. I have more that I will be posting later and Chris you still have a comment to post on what will be happening in the next couple of weeks.

David Poole reported by his Grand Father.
Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA A BlueStarDad (and I want to keep it that way)

Through thick and thin, after when it's over

2008-03-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess time will tell. I haven't heard from my son since Feb, 29, 2008 so I am missing him and I guess thats why I am starting to rant here again. I did however get to speak with one of my son's battle buddies who is now back in Italy with the 173rd after spending many months recovering from wounds sustained from a rocket attack. I hadn't heard from Chris since January so it was good to get caught up again. Chris had some great news for me but I will let him tell you about it. Chris! when you read this then you have to tell everyone what you will be doing in two weeks by commenting on this Blog. So with that said on with my ranting. So today I was driving to work when I remembered an email I had received from Chris awhile back that contained a bunch of pictures of the guy's downrange and then I started thinking of all the nice comments on my Blog and some emails sent directly as well regarding our Men and Women serving. I have been able to make some new friendships because of it all. You know, Grandparents, Parents, Friends, Wives and just great Americans wanting information on our soldiers. Some expressing appreciation and others relating to what we parents go through when our soldiers are deployed. You all know who I am talking about, YOU my readers have always been positive with zero negative comments about the war, politics or any thing negative at all. Just prayers and great thoughts of them.

With that said, I am about to upload a bunch of pictures sent from the front by my new son Chris of all the people that he served with over in Afghanistan. If you should see your loved one or friend please let me know so that I can edit the Blog to reflect their name under the picture. Last but not least, to the soldier that reminded me that I need to expose this site to more people because we Americans need to know about life deployed in our Forgotten War, you are right and thank you for reminding me.

Hooah!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco (A bluestardad and i want to keep it that way)

Skills, Daring and pure Guts

2008-03-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

Today a friend of mine sent me an email about this daring Helicopter rescue in Afghanistan. I had seen these pictures before from an article I had read and I remember what I was thinking that day as I read the article. I was thinking of the men and women that serve our country and all the stories that I have read and heard. One story was of a platoon of soldiers from the 2-503rd of the 173rd Airborne that had been requesting air support but no Helicopter pilot would go into the A.O. because it was to hot and then they heard a familiar female pilots voice coming over the radio asking the R.T.O. to pop smoke indicating the Platoons position. The voice was music to the R.T.O.'s ears as he knew this gal was coming in hot and would bring some heat off the Platoon so they could maneuver to flank the enemy. He had heard her voice many times taking missions other pilots would not. She rolled in and strafed the enemy position giving the platoon enough time to maneuver and flank the enemy.

I have read so many articles about heroic deeds performed by our soldiers and I must believe that these men and woman are of a different breed than when I served so many years ago. These soldiers really do go above and beyond. They are truly brothers and sisters in the Sand Box watching each others backs at all cost.

The above pictures are of a daring rescue of some wounded soldiers that otherwise would have had to travel miles via road to get treatment. Both of these shots are of the same airlift just from different angle I am very familiar with this type of aircraft and believe me this is not a very easy task. The pilot must maintain a constant on the collective so that there is no load on the building. This pretty much means that the pilot is hovering with the wheels just barley touching the roof. Not an easy task at all. Just imagine the pilot not maintaining very little weight on the building roof and poof the building collapses along with all the wounded that was there as well as the medics. These pilots are good and on top of their game.

It brings me great comfort knowing that my soldier is supported by these men and women. I salute them every day for supporting our soldiers. Who ever you are, Thank You from my heart!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

AKA A Blue Star Dad (and I want to keep it that way)

A Prince, Promotions, Medals and a fathers love

2008-03-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Like all of you, I have seen the many articles about Prince Harry serving over in our soldiers Battle Space. I think his service to his country is commendable. He could have done anything he wanted, a stock broker, doctor, an ambassador any thing at all. He chose to serve his countries Army as an Infantry Officer. It is my opinion that any officer that trains with his men should be allowed to deploy with his men. I understand that yes that it places a danger to his men if the Taliban should find out he is in the country. What I find deplorable is the fact that certain news organizations chose to breach an agreement made in advance in order to allow Prince Harry the ability to lead the men he trained with. I am sure you will agree with me that the organizations that released this sensitive information was for two reasons, The reporters ego and the ability to sell more. I hope that the reporters responsible read this. I hope you can sleep at night knowing that you the reporter put British soldiers lives at risk as well as the Prince. I guess having a fallen Prince would have lined all of your heartless reporters pockets. Sorry for this rant but I really do find this so unacceptable.

I heard from my son's section leader recently that my son was promoted on March 1st to an E-4 and I could not be more happier for my son. He does in my mind deserve it I think anyways. Alex, if you get to read this I want you to know I am so very proud of you and all the men and women you serve with, Congratulations son! It is about time you have been promoted.

My son's leader also mentioned that my soldier has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and that has me shaking in the knees because he is also in for a Bronze Star for Valor which has not been approved yet. When I see the word Valor I get a bit nervous only because these soldiers put their lives at risk every day and do so only because they care about the soldier on their left and right. I don't really care much about medals, I just want my kid home alive and well. Alex! do the right thing but at the same time, be smart and engage on your terms.

In closing, I want all of you to know that I pray for all your soldiers every day and night. They deserve so much gratitude and appreciation. They extended themselves everyday, go above and beyond the call of duty. Prince Harry, Thank you for trying to do what you feel is right for you.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA abluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Rest and Bringing the fight to the enemy

2008-03-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

I know I just posted the other day and you are probably wondering to yourselves "Does this guy need attention" lol. No, I spoke to my son again this Saturday morning 11:00 am my time when I realized it was almost midnight his time and he was getting ready to roll out of the wire to his VPB. The way it has been explained by several soldiers and not just my own that the road up to the VPB is very narrow (only six inch clearance on either side of the vehicle when driving up the mountain to the VPB. They do this under total dark out rules. Someone has to walk in front of the vehicle and guide the driver. I know that he has made it safely back to the VPB and I won't hear from him for another 20 days or so. My son now serves under a different NCO, the one he served when they were at Graf. He is excited about this but misses Upp.

I now know I have a new reader, Monita I have seen your postings on OUR special support site. Thank you for the heads up on the chocolate. I am sure it will help us all for Easter. I am not sure what you are doing in Kabul but I am sure it is all good. Be safe Please!

I tried uploading a video by D last night but it was either to long or this site did not recognize the format so I am going to post the link to it. Later in the Blog I am posting now. The greatness of our new Army is that they are truly an a Army Strong and be assured they are an Army of ONE.

Ronnie, I hope the link works buddy! For a great video click or paste and cut here http://www.300cpilot.com/~montana/dreadmov2.wmv enjoy!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Winter, Spring and the Re-insurgency

2008-02-29T20:16:00.000-08:00

In speaking with my soldier over the last few day's while he has been at his F.O.B. refitting and training up a couple of replacements . Anyway I had asked him if he is staying warm enough and he laughed at me at which point he told me that it is hot over there now. I had been hoping for a long winter thinking that it would keep the insurgents hunkered down. He mentioned that the attacks have increased and that he has fired his mortar over 150 times some days. Now I realize his remaining time over there will be one long fight and the thought of that just makes me cringe. I know he has a good head on his shoulders as his leaders so I know they will fight smart and be effective. Just so you all know, he operates between two areas of the Chowkay Valley of Kunar Province in Afghanistan. He spends most of his time at a remote Vehicle Patrol Base. Most days he responds to requests for fire missions in support of the men and women of 2nd-503rd PIR of the 173rd ABCT and also fighting to keep their VPB from being over run. In all he feels that what he does is good as it allows others from the reconstruction teams and other units helping the general population of the Valley.

The picture I have posted here is of the men my son has been attached too. He is not in the picture but I felt I should post it because it is these men that return fire and keep the enemies heads down so my son can lay effective mortar fire down range. The photo was supplied by one of the soldiers (SPC David Poole) Grandfather Ronnie. They are truly "Embracing The Suck" I will let your imagination take control when it comes to that term..lol I hope everyone enjoys and most of all, I thank you all for supporting all our soldiers, it means a lot to us parents, grandparents, family and friends of The Rock.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

War and the Media and a Tad of Politics

2008-02-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

I never like to discus my political views but I am sure by the end of this posting you will understand my views fully. Right now Defense Secretary Gates is bringing the battle to the EU for more support for Afghanistan in terms of more troops. Some of our own potential Presidents for the next election are speaking of total withdrawal from the battle zones. Yeah, our sons and daughters would have fought in vain and have fallen for nothing. Is this what we do as a Democratic society? My son was born on 9/11/86 and when the towers fell he wanted to fight these animals who brought terror upon us. He is not alone in this endeavor as all our soldiers serving me and you do so as a volunteer Army. Some of them have had to make choices and some have chose what is in their hearts. They are our children and deserve to have us stand by them. They deserve much more than they receive not only in pay but services. Looks like the General was right in regards to a surge in Iraq. Why wouldn't a surge in Afghanistan work? Please join me in writing your Congress person in requesting that the effort in Afghanistan is stepped up. In closing I want to share a passage from General Giap of North Vietnam.

Giap's memoirs...

(Gen. Giap was a very famous and knowledgeable

General in the North Vietnamese Army.)

General Vo Nguyen Giap.

General Giap was a brilliant, highly respected leader of the North Vietnam military. The following quote is from his memoirs currently found in the Vietnam war memorial in Hanoi:

"What we still don't understand is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. You had us on the ropes. If you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender! It was the same at the battles of TET. You defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you knew it. But we were elated to notice your media was definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You had won!"

General Giap has published his memoirs and confirmed what most Americans knew. The Vietnam war was not lost in Vietnam -- it was lost at home. The exact same slippery slope, sponsored by the US media, is currently well underway. It exposes the enormous power of a biased media to cut out the heart and will of the American public.

A truism worthy of note: Do not fear the enemy, for they can take only your life. Fear the media far more, for they will destroy your honor.

When placing your vote, do so thinking of your trooper. I apologize in advance if I have offended any one with this post. I do love all the Paratroopers with the 173rd and want them to come home proud of their sacrifices.

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (And I want to keep it that way)

Combat and Pleasures

2008-02-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

I write this today not because there is pleasure in combat. I write this for the people who send packages not only to my son but other Paratroopers as well. I believe a good soldier has the ability to watch out for his brothers that serve on their right, left and all around. They can not look out for their brothers if they are receiving anything in the mail that would alter their judgment. Please, I value my sons life as I am sure you all value your soldier or friend so please refrain from sending them anything that would make them impaired in judgment or duty. I am going to cut and paste a note from my son's commander in hopes that my son's friends and any body else that reads this, it is so important as they are well past the half way mark of their deployment. This may well be the most important post I ever make. Thank you Diana for the idea to post the Rock 6 letter.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

From the Commander –

To our Families–

The holidays have passed and we are focused on the spring then summer, which includes our redeployment. Contact with the enemy has dropped to less than 20% of what we experienced in the summer/fall – and of that 20% we are initiating 1/3 of all contacts on our terms. Many things contribute to the decline in activity and the initiation on our part – namely the efforts (and sacrifice) of our Paratroopers. We know our area and those who challenge us in this area. We know the vast capabilities of our equipment. Most importantly we know ourselves and everything we can accomplish in this area.

We are maximizing our time. We retrain ourselves, we train our Afghan security partners, we mentor our government officials, and we work with our population. We take time to “refit” (conduct maintenance) on ourselves and on our equipment. Most are not working as many hours in as trying conditions as they once were and most have better access to phones and email. In addition to the above, we are also using this time to reposition some units as we prepare for our spring and summer effort.

A trend at this time of year is to recover – on the battlefield and on the home front. Recover from the holiday season, pack the holiday decorations, and prepare for spring. All become busy and in short order it has been weeks if not months since the last package or note was sent.

In AO ROCK we have a similar lull, which for some manifests into an issue – idle hands and idle minds. Some Paratroopers request packages and items that are prohibited in Afghanistan and thus in AO ROCK. Some loved ones opt to demonstrate a lapse in judgment and tempt their Paratrooper. Let me be frank – like I routinely promise and always deliver. An ongoing investigation has revealed loved ones have sent mind altering substances – alcohol and perhaps other substances – into our battle space. I could be very animated in my delivery but instead I will remain professional – that is exceptionally poor judgment and life threatening - STOP! We have a very real challenge and spend incredible effort ensuring we do everything in our power to keep our Paratroopers – your loved ones – safe. Contributing ANYTHING to our battle space that impairs judgment and/or reflexes, for even a moment, puts the using Paratrooper and the many men who rely on that Paratrooper at greater risk. Your loved ones don’t have off time – nearly all have been called out on no notice to assist other Paratroopers or to deliver effects on the enemy, which directly or indirectly saves Paratroopers lives. If this is a game – it is called LIFE AND DEATH; no alibis and few second chances. If Paratroopers are not physically hurt their careers could be hurt by their poor judgment. As an aside, like when we have casualties, when investigations begin – connectivity is cut off.

As a team – I’d like all to recommit to getting through this deployment together. No individual players – no off the field coaches or fans that know best. We don’t need excuses or justifications from those who think/thought they know best – trust me, if you are impairing judgment or affecting reflexes of Paratroopers in AO ROCK you don’t know best… You’ve put their life and their career in jeopardy and put their buddies’ lives in jeopardy.

Please refer to the prohibited items list on the web – no alcohol or drugs. Please continue to send boxes, letters, and words of support – if you pray, throw a few our way… We need and appreciate your support. Your Paratroopers are truly honorable and remarkable Americans that are doing incredible things every day – they are a proud lot and you should be as well…

I remain very optimistic 2008 will be a great year for The ROCK and our families… Families of the ROCK thank you for your continued support and unparalleled sacrifices for The ROCK, the Army, and our great nation. I look forward to serving with you and our ROCK Paratroopers – anytime – anywhere.

The ROCK!

Ostlund – ROCK 6

Brotherhood and Valor

2008-01-15T15:42:00.000-08:00

For the past two weeks I have been in communication via telephone with one of my sons best friends. PFC Chris Gross was injured one day by an RPG attack some months ago. In speaking with him I have a much better insight on what our men and women endure while deployed to Afghanistan. Chris was medivaced out and later found himself at Walter Reed where he is recovering from his wounds.

It was a bit weird really. I received a comment on the Blogg and then I received an email from Chris. In the subject line it read "Mr. Arnone Don't delete Alex's bud" and that got my attention. He went on to tell me who he was and he and Alex were pretty close back in Italy and Afghanistan. So I gave him my number and the next day he called me up. It almost seemed like we were in a room together, me listening to his stories and almost as if we knew each other from years back. We have been staying in touch with one another since. It's funny really, as a father of a son you think you know him. I found out that I may have known him but now he is a different person than the one that went off to war. I don't mean that in a negative by all means. The things that Chris has said my son has done just blows me away. I guess when you care about the soldier to your right and the one to the left you are capable of doing just about anything. In any case, Chris will be rejoining the 173rd back in Italy soon until he fully recovers. In case you are reading this Chris, always remember this "any man that calls my son his brother is a son to me" This page is dedicated to you PFC Chris Gross "Airborne!"

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Gratitude

2008-01-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

Is such a huge word that seems to have lost it's importance in todays society. In a previous posting you may remember I discussed how jumpy my son was when he arrived home on R&R with having so many civilians around him while he was walking through the airport terminal. I reflect on all the times that I would go out of my way when I see one of our countries soldiers out and about and approach them and shake their hand and thanking them for their service for our country not realizing that they themselves maybe just returning from a deployment in a combat zone. How they must feel having me violate their space and how jumpy they may be. You are probably scratching your head right about now what my point is right? Well after my son returned downrange to be his brothers of The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, I felt awkward about about saying thank you, being concerned about how awkward they may feel.

Then last night a wonderful thing happened. One of the proud Grandmothers of one of our "Sky Soldiers" sent me an email about a fine organization that has made it a lot easier to express my gratitude to all men and women serving this nation. This organization is called "The Gratitude Campaign" which everyone can get involved with. Please take a moment and visit and learn how you can show your own gratitude to our soldiers. Before I do give you a link to the organizations website I need you to do me a favor, get a tissue out because you may need it. That was the advice that the proud Grandmother gave me and well, you always listen to Granny right? Thanks Cheri! I took your advice and did I need it. O.K. enough with my rant, here is the website link and please, share it with EVERYONE you know. You will have to cut and paste into your browser. http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

The best Christmas present, ever!

2008-01-02T22:07:00.001-08:00

My son is on the left and his leader SFC Levy is on the right.

Ok, I must admit that I received the best Christmas present in my entire life. My son called me on Christmas morning. It was awesome, it was short but great. I also heard from his battle buddy who sustained wounds from an RPG round just a few days before the Holiday and he is doing well. My soldier has reenlisted so he can stay with his unit. He doesn't want to report to a reserve unit only to re-deploy with a different unit. He cares about the men he serves with and wants to stay in the fight with his Band of Brothers. I am very proud of my son and hope that he finds his true calling. I want to thank all of you for your support. I have not received one negative comment on this site and I truly appreciate that. I love my soldier but I also love the men and women that serve our Nation. Eight months to go and then they will return as a unit, as an Army of one, Army Strong. We will accept them as a family and watch over them. With your help, we can help, support and love them for what they do. May God bless them all! Stay in touch when you can. I can be reached at Larryarnone@gmail.com.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Another Night before Christmas with a Twist

2007-12-31T17:17:00.000-08:00

Twas the nite before Christmas and all through my town,

no one was excited, we all felt so down

Our guard unit deployed, with many other guys too

we had no Christmas spirit, we all felt so blue

The children were crying, they all missed their Dads

Moms tried to be cheery but were simply to sad

At the mall when the kids sat on Santa's broad lap,

they didn't ask for toys, just please bring Daddy back

My own son was gone, on his second tour

to a third world country I'd never thought of before.

I sent all of his gifts by priority box

and hoped they'd arrive on time and not lost

His stocking I filled with a soldier needs mix

wet wipes, and jerky and tubes of chap stick

I put up a tree trimmed in blue red and white,

and prayed he'd be safe this Christmas eve night

I sat up all evening felling sorry and sad

remembering other family times that we'd had

Suddenly a voice whispered down from above

don't worry my child, for your son I too love

I'm with him each day, while he serves far from home

Trust me sweet mother, he's never alone

I know what it's like to have a son far away

in a small foreign village on Christmas day

No place to call home, or to lay down his head

no heat, no food not even a bed

the first Christmas gifts brought him from afar

also came late, as they followed the star

Dear mother as you sit in your Christmas eve sorrow

filled with such loneliness, dreading tomorrow

I beg you to remember the first Christmas day

The Christ child I sent to show you the way

so Please, smile this evening as you remember the birth,

of a child in a manger I sent down to earth

Though this year you are sad, your boys far apart

You can be assured they've kept Christ in their hearts

I promise I'm with them as they wander afar

a constant companion as the moon or a star

Christmas wishes dear Mother I send from above

and know you and your sons are surrounded by LOVE>

Author: Vickie C. Proud Mom of an American Paratrooper who serves alongside my son in Afghanistan

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

AKA A Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

Fear, Anticipation,Jubilation and Trepidation

2007-12-11T14:19:00.002-08:00

It has been a long time since I have posted my thoughts and I apologize to all that read my ranting. As many of you know from experience in one form or another, waiting on your soldier to come home on R&R can be a bit stressful. You are always asking the lord to let your soldier go one more day without injury so that he will in fact "make it home" and each day turns into another and then another until the night before he returns home to you. You lay in bed wide awake wondering just who your soldier will he be on return. It was only 6 months before that he was a Paratrooper serving in Italy and still for the most part a very unexperienced young man. Now,he has served in combat, been shot at and seen friends and fellow soldiers fall. You run all the different possibilities around in your head while you toss and turn trying to fall asleep. You start wondering if you have all the different foods he always enjoyed. Before you know it, its sunup and your feet hit the floor. You put fresh sheets on his bed making sure it is the way he left things. You check the flights to see if they are on time and make calls to all his friends and family to advise them that the plane will be arriving early. After cross checking your check list at least 100 times it is time to meet your soldier. I arrive at the airport and friends and family start gathering into a small group. We hold a banner that reads "welcome home soldier", you may ask why be so generic? Because we are not sure if there are other soldiers that will be returning on our soldiers flight and if so, then we want to send our sentiments to them as well. I know my son would understand this so its all good.

And then at first we see Army boots and ask ourselves is that him? Then the ACU digital pattern is clear and then in a distance you see a maroon beret that he has worked so hard to be able to wear. Is it him I ask myself and all of a sudden it is clear my soldier has returned home. I look at the others that are with me and I turn to my daughter to confirm it's him and she is all smiles. We let him approach us as we know that he is a bit jumpy from the crowds. We embrace and silently I thank the Lord for answering my prayers.

The first thing he wants to do is hit the mall to buy some cloths as he only came with the cloths on his back. I can't help noticing all the ladies that steal looks at him. Yep, my son has returned and we are so excited. We grab a bite to eat at a nearby cafe and have a couple of beers. When we get home and unpack his back pack he wants to go out and unwind. I take him to a local sports bar just down the street so we don't have to drive. We enter the place and it's packed but everything goes silent as everyone one is a aware that an American fighting man has just entered as he is in uniform. He turns to me and says "watch this" as he finds a place at the bar for the two of us. We order our preferred brand of beer and the good looking bartender smiles at my son and thanks him. Alex says to me that its on him. When he reaches into his pocket the bartender says not to worry that it's on the house because of his service to our country. Alex smiles back and says "my pleasure maim" and drinks his beer without taking his eyes off of her and she smiles. Alex looks over at me and says that we will not be spending a dime on drinks all night and I believe him. Sure enough every one in the bar buys drinks for us all night. Alex tells me that this bar was a good choice. At the end of the night Alex has both bartenders phone numbers and we call t a night at around 1 am.

I got to take Alex and his sister to Las Vegas where we make a killing at the casino. My daughter is able to pay off her credit card dept with her winnings and Alex makes a a lot more than when he walked in, me, I pay for the trip, hotel, meals and my pocket still has a lot more in it than when I arrived. The biggest payoff, I got to see my son have a great time.

R&R goes by so fast.It's not long before we must say our farewells. Yep, tears flow freely and we all hate to see him return to a land that I am not so sure appreciates our soldiers sacrifices. It's hard to let him go. He had just watched Night line the night before he was leave and found out a close friend he had lost his life and so many others. He is eager to return to his band of brothers and rejoin the fight.

I now find myself worrying about him all over again, waiting for that next phone call or letter. I check the FRG site at least a half dozen times a day hoping to hear some news or perhaps a picture in the download section.

Thanks for reading and I promise to post more.

A Bluestardad and I want to keep it that way

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

Fear, Anticipation,Jubilation and Trepidation

2007-12-11T14:19:00.001-08:00

It has been a long time since I have posted my thoughts and I apologize to all that read my ranting. As many of you know from experience in one form or another, waiting on your soldier to come home on R&R can be a bit stressful. You are always asking the lord to let your soldier go one more day without injury so that he will in fact "make it home" and each day turns into another and then another until the night before he returns home to you. You lay in bed wide awake wondering just who your soldier will he be on return. It was only 6 months before that he was a Paratrooper serving in Italy and still for the most part a very unexperienced young man. Now,he has served in combat, been shot at and seen friends and fellow soldiers fall. You run all the different possibilities around in your head while you toss and turn trying to fall asleep. You start wondering if you have all the different foods he always enjoyed. Before you know it, its sunup and your feet hit the floor. You put fresh sheets on his bed making sure it is the way he left things. You check the flights to see if they are on time and make calls to all his friends and family to advise them that the plane will be arriving early. After cross checking your check list at least 100 times it is time to meet your soldier. I arrive at the airport and friends and family start gathering into a small group. We hold a banner that reads "welcome home soldier", you may ask why be so generic? Because we are not sure if there are other soldiers that will be returning on our soldiers flight and if so, then we want to send our sentiments to them as well. I know my son would understand this so its all good.

And then at first we see Army boots and ask ourselves is that him? Then the ACU digital pattern is clear and then in a distance you see a maroon beret that he has worked so hard to be able to wear. Is it him I ask myself and all of a sudden it is clear my soldier has returned home. I look at the others that are with me and I turn to my daughter to confirm it's him and she is all smiles. We let him approach us as we know that he is a bit jumpy from the crowds. We embrace and silently I thank the Lord for answering my prayers.

The first thing he wants to do is hit the mall to buy some cloths as he only came with the cloths on his back. I can't help noticing all the ladies that steal looks at him. Yep, my son has returned and we are so excited. We grab a bite to eat at a nearby cafe and have a couple of beers. When we get home and unpack his back pack he wants to go out and unwind. I take him to a local sports bar just down the street so we don't have to drive. We enter the place and it's packed but everything goes silent as everyone one is a aware that an American fighting man has just entered as he is in uniform. He turns to me and says "watch this" as he finds a place at the bar for the two of us. We order our preferred brand of beer and the good looking bartender smiles at my son and thanks him. Alex says to me that its on him. When he reaches into his pocket the bartender says not to worry that it's on the house because of his service to our country. Alex smiles back and says "my pleasure maim" and drinks his beer without taking his eyes off of her and she smiles. Alex looks over at me and says that we will not be spending a dime on drinks all night and I believe him. Sure enough every one in the bar buys drinks for us all night. Alex tells me that this bar was a good choice. At the end of the night Alex has both bartenders phone numbers and we call t a night at around 1 am.

I get to take Alex and his sister to Las Vegas where we make a killing at the casino. My daughter is able to pay off her credit card dept with her winnings and Alex makes a a lot more than when he walked in, me, I pay for the trip, hotel, meals and my pocket still has a lot more in it than when I arrived. The biggest payoff, I get to see my son have a great time.

R&R goes by so fast.It's not long before we must say our farewells. Yep, tears flow freely and we all hate to see him return to a land that I am not so sure appreciates our soldiers sacrifices. It's hard to let him go. He had just watched Night line the night before and found out a close friend he had lost while home and so many others. He is eager to return to his band of brothers and rejoin the fight.

I now find myself worrying about him all over again, waiting for that next phone call or letter. I check the FRG site at least a half dozen times a day hoping to hear some news or perhaps a picture in the in the download section.

Thanks for reading and I promise to post more.

A Bluestardad and I want to keep it that way

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

Update

2007-10-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

My soldier will be returning on 10/25/07 at 2137 (9:37 pm) on UA flt 555. Let's show Alex our support. You ready guy's?

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

(AKA Bluestardad and I want to keep it that way)

The greatest phone call in the world

2007-10-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

PFC David Poole, one fine Soldier "Airborne Trooper"

I received a call from my soldier (Alex Arnone) last night and he will be home on the 25th of this month. "Grinning here from ear to ear" I'm still not sure exactly what time he will be arriving but when he does he will be greeted by a crowd of people that love this soldier and have banners waving. My daughter is leading the effort to make one so that we can proudly display in such an anti-military city. San Francisco, watch out! The Arnone family is in town....lol Alex is coming home! Cheri, I will definitely give Alex a huge hug to my soldier on behalf of the Poole family. I miss corresponding with you and Ronnie and hope all is well with the both of you. D will be home before you know it. Keep the faith and know that D is in my prayers along with many other family members of our beloved 173rd Airborne Brigade

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

If you need to contact the Auther of this blog

2007-10-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

I receive many requests on my contact information. If you would like to contact me, you may do so by shooting me an email at larryarnone@gmail.com. If you should want to talk to me state so in your email and I will give you a number to reach me at. Only a few more days left before I see Alex returning home on R & R. Yippie!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Downrange

New warrior song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTs6a0ORdQU

An interview with Sgt. Trinh in a pub while on R&R

Our Soldiers

A humble day

Helping those that have chossen to protect me.

A French Infantrymans perspective of the U.S. Army's warrior

Many, many emails from first timers

Merry Christmas to all the families who have warriors deployed.

I just got off the phone with an old MSG friend

Ring Ring

And then they got into action

Life after injury

National Medal of Honor Day

A recon Marine in Afghanistan

A soldier does America proud

Silver Star for Valor

Mortarman awarded Silver Star for valor

Normalcy, emails and Medals

Farewells, Hugs and ringing phones

A Dad, Sister, Combat buddy and Friend

Dreams, Phone ringing and a "Hey Dad"

Delays.....suck

Donations could help make memorial race a memorable event

Memorial Run

by Dave Tobin Monday August 11, 2008, 12:46 AM

Day of the Sky Soldier

I copied this from another site.

Day of the Sky Soldier

A Dad who anticipates a long awaited return home

A grin from ear to ear

O.K. the forgotten war has really hit home

A letter from a Father who's son was shot in Iraq

A letter from a Father who's son was shot in Afghanistan

A special Grand Ma tagged my walls today

The soldiers of today and their resolve

P.T.S.D. and how it can be treated.

.Another fine trooper and "Wheels up"

Joint al Qaeda and Taliban force behind Kunar base attack

Joint al Qaeda and Taliban force behind Kunar base attack

Read this and you tell me what may have happened at that lone outpost.

AP IMPACT: Pakistan militants focus on Afghanistan

Two faced Pakistan and we still funnel how many Billions to them to fight Terror

173rd Airborne heading for home

Seven years, $3.2 billion: A regional development plan to fix Afghanistan

Now this just pisses me off

Putting Her Foot Down and Getting the Boot

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Who's Blogging

Now this just pisses me off

Putting Her Foot Down and Getting the Boot

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COMMENT

Who's Blogging

A Grandmothers encouragement to me a Dad

One unit's last mission

SGT. Ryan Connelly, Afganistan, and the ultimate sacrifice

Fireworks, a sense of pride and Soldiers

Grand Parents, Parents and Soldiers

Our Brave Soldiers

Awards demonstrate valor of ‘The Rock’

Silver Stars awarded to six of unit’s soldiers

Everyone please pray to your higher power for this family

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Day 22 - June 22, 2008

July 27, 2007 not to be forgotten

Memorial Day Tribute to all our Fallen.

If you read this, you WILL forward it on. You just won't be able to stop yourself.

Thoroughbreds, Bells and Starting Gates

It's amazing what a phone call can do.

Support for our soldiers

Telephone Ring Tones

On the Offensive

Returning to friendly diggs and nice people

He hit the Nail on the head

A fallen soldiers love for his brother never dies

Pictures continued

Through thick and thin, after when it's over

by Dave Tobin
Monday August 11, 2008, 12:46 AM