Delta Force Training

I came accross this on Military.com I enjoyed it and hope you do too.
http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=146742&ESRC=recruiting.nl

The long commute and everything I have been waiting for.

As I was driving to work yesterday morning listening to news radio and thinking to myself that I should find a job closer to home, and then I found myself wondering about our boy's over in Afghanistan and how they get around the land. Me, I'm constantly looking for reckless drivers and avoiding hitting stray animals. The guy's looking for planted I.E.D.'s and ambushes from the Taliban. I begin to think my 55 minute commute isn't so bad after all. I decided to change the station to some light rock. The band that is playing is Phil Collins. Some great music I think to myself, when suddenly a different tune begins to also play and then I realize it's "The green Beret" on my ring tone. I immediately grab my cell and say "Hello" and then I hear "Hi Dad! How you doing" that is what I have been waiting for. It's sure sounds great to hear his voice and I tell him so.

He is still at the VPB outside Fortress and has been there for over a month now without refitting back at the FOB. I asked him why and he said that his section leader needs him there. When I asked how things were going he said "Dad, it has been raining everyday lately and it seems to be keeping the bad guy's away so things have been pretty slow." He did sound in good spirits and rested even though he was getting off guard duty from the perimeter. I told him about his platoon leaders email to me and how I had framed those emails (I got that idea from another soldiers mother) and hung it next to his picture on the wall. I could actually see him rolling his eyes...lol but he knows his old man and understands.

I know many of you that read my blog has soldiers serving the 2nd/503rd Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and know what it is like not hearing from them. I was able to speak to Alex for a good twenty minutes at the end of my commute. It's funny really because Alex knows that I stay in touch with many of the Parents and Grand Parents of our guy's and his last words to me were "Dad, tell Scott's (Last name) Dad Hi and tell Poole's Grand Parents he is here with me. Also let (name withheld) Vickie know her son is not here and not sure where he is at this point but may be at the FOB but not sure. Tell my Sister Michele and Auntie Jen I said hi and I will see them soon. I love you Dad! Over and Out." That was it and then white noise.

It was good to hear from him and I look forward to hearing from him again when he can call. When I arrived home there was a letter in my mailbox from him, talk about icing on the cake. I read his letter several times over. He wrote it shortly after an attack on his position. It is pretty amazing what these kids (opps Men) go through. I am sure you all are as proud of yours as I am of mine. Well thanks for reading the blog, this is Bluestardad, over and out!

Larry Arnone

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

San Francisco

Telephone calls, U.S. Postal Service and my Crystal ball

I sit here this evening after spending a few hours at a Chamber of Commerce mixer wondering what our guys are doing? I have mingled with people of the U.S. Postal Service who reminded me our guy's receive to many care packages...Yeah right! The Verizon Representative who has no clue why they (Our guys) have no good plan for there (ouy guy's ) cells.

My Crystal Ball Say's that they do not understand what these guys are going through. I recently watched some video's on Afghanistan people on Google and found some interesting information. The women there are grossly mistreated. It makes me sick to watch these video's but know it is true. I hope time will make changes.

The communication pipeline seems to be dried up as I have not heard from my boy and I am sure many of you are in the same boat. You feel frustrated, I do. I hope we all hear from them soon. I am missing Alex in a huge way as I am sure you are missing your guy just as much.

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

A great come back! From a proud Grandfather of one of our own.

One of my sons serves in the military. He is still stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha.He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock. The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said proudly," Yes, I always wear it and probably always will."

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman: "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly,

I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid."Everyone within hearing distance cheered!

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone

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

San Francisco, Ca

IF YOU AGREE____ Pass this on to all your proud American friends.I just did.

I am truly blessed

To have such fine men leading my son while deployed over in Afghanistan. I woke up this morning and in opening my email account I see an email in my inbox from my sons platoon leader. Now I know that this fine young man has one hell of a job on his hands with his platoon stretched throughout the area of operations supporting the other companies. Jason mentioned that the men are all doing well and that they continue to improve their bases of operation. Summer is coming to a close and they will be breaking out their cold weather gear very soon.

I just find it simply amazing that this fine young man takes the time to email me under such spartan conditions. I mean, he must travel over the roads (that alone must be gut wrenching because of the dangers of I.E.D's) to visit with his various sections to make sure they have what they need to continue to take the battle to the enemy and he still takes time out to communicate with a parent. I am just blown away by this. The men and women that serve our Nation today are a much different breed than when I served.

So to all the parents and family of those reading this today, be it known that your soldier is being lead by some of the finest leaders. Many will be returning over the next several months on R&R. Take the time to get to know the new man that comes home. Most will have changed because of their experiences over in Afghanistan and the leadership they have found themselves under. Character can be contagious. God Bless Them All!

Larry Arnone

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

San Francisco

Sometimes when we think we will never

hear from them, the phone rings. "Hi dad, how are you doing?" I will always cherish those words for the rest of my life. I am sure you now know Alex has called home again since that awful day that I last posted that is no longer visible due to the fact I was concerned about opsec. I promise to re post it once they all safely return home. I must admit that I felt very proud of my son's actions and was not thinking of requests made from above, Those of you reading this will understand.

So my son has been at his VPB for three weeks and he made sure to let me know that his Oder is unpleasant...lol He sounded upbeat, happy and really looking forward to returning home for R&R. I will meet him at the Airport with a slew of people, I can guarantee you that. He asked me to purchase more satellite time as I guess the minutes are now dwindling. I told him no problem and the minutes Will be added as of tomorrow.

My postings will be kept to a minimal from now on as I want to be sure our guys are safe. I do enjoy chatting with all the parents and do not want us all disconnected. Thanks for everything you do and more importantly, I pray for each of your soldiers return through prayer each and every day.

I have been reading Kite Runner and it has been helping me a lot. I have been trying to understand the culture of Afghanistan from the moment my son was notified that he will be deploying to this country. It has been a great help. Thanks to all that have suggested it.
A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

(Abluestaredad)( And I want to keep it that way)

A Partial account of July 31, 2007

Seen through the eyes of a young 20 year old Infantryman located in Chowkay Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan manning a VPB. For those of you that have the map that I do, that would be the Valley of number 11. Alex was speaking with a young 1st Lt about things in general like Ranger school and how he wanted to get accepted to the course once he finishes his deployment. He and Alex has had many conversations on this topic and Lt. Hall has always had words of encouragement. Alex told me that he has always felt comfortable speaking with this young man.

After their conversation Alex wondered up to a Humvee where a friend of his was pulling over watch duty. Alex climbed up next to the gunners turret. It was a sweltering day so they both left their personal armour off. "Dad you are going to be mad because I didn't have it on, I know" the heat is crazy here. So when we were talking I heard a very familiar sound except that it sounded we were on the receiving end of it. All of a sudden an 107mm round goes off about 5 meters away. I rolled off the Humvee and Bea lined it to my hooch to get my armour on and then up to the Mortar pit all the while rounds and small arms fire hitting us from several directions. "I think they were attacking from three sides" I was running to the pit and I noticed that the ammo bunker had collapsed and there was no way were going to get suppressive fire down range unless we excavated the rounds from under all the sand bags. I looked around for help but everyone was either returning small arms or were in bunkers. I knew I needed to get the mortar rounds uncovered so I ran to the collapsed bunker and started to toss sand bags while the 107mm were raining down everywhere. I just knew we needed those rounds in order to lay down suppressive fire. "It was crazy Dad, all that mayhem" I finally was able to get the rounds exposed and hang a round. Now the whoosh was on my side of the battle line and started hearing a lull in the incoming.

When the smoke cleared and the small arms dwindled, I looked around at the VPB and I saw a group of men around one of our men. When I was able to go over to that spot and see who it was, it was of the young 1st Lt. that I felt very comfortable talking too. "That was the hardest part of the attack Dad, seeing someone that I feel I bonded with gone" May the lord watch over this young man.

It was very tough and Alex"s fire team leader pulled Alex aside asking if he was ok? Alex stated he was but that this attack really freaked him out. His leader told him to keep it together and stay tight that he was needed. Alex did and was recommended for the Bronze Star Medal . Alex mentioned that the snipers attached to his team helped greatly. They supplied direction and range.

As many of you know, I have been away on a cruise and was not able to update the blog. I just spent an hour or so doing just that. It was all on K.I.A's the brigade has suffered. It was very difficult to do, so many. I can't say how much I feel for you all. I can only imagine what you feel. May all our soldier makes it home in whole as well as mind and spirit.

A Fathers Love

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

Important Information from an Army Mom

Hi to each of you,

I am addressing all of you so that you can help spread the word without causing panic or anything like that.

I got a call from Christopher's Dad this afternoon. He has a team of medics doing some research to see if there is something that could be happening to Christopher that could be causing this sickness.

This is what he found which may not have to do with what Christopher has or not, but this information is still important.
The powdered drink mixes that we are sending our sons could be deadly! They have found that if they are drinking any of these mixtures that have NutraSweet in them when the temperature is over 102 degrees and it gets that hot inside the bottle, it causes the chemicals that are in them to be just like drinking Formaldehyde.

This is very bad! So I hope that you can let the soldiers know that if they drink any of these types like, Crystal light, Propel, Gatorade, etc. they should throw anything away that has been sitting for a period of time that would make the bottle of liquid to get that hot.
This can lead to death, it will shut down their livers and do all kinds of damage.

Just thought I would pass this on to you and maybe one of you can call the hospital in Germany and talk with the doctors and tell them this. I don't know if this would be creating Christopher to be experiencing what he has been, but it is worth passing this along.

Thank you for your time. I would hate to be sending something to my son, which I have been that would cause him to die if he indeed was doing this.

I appreciate each of you. Thank you for everything.
Have a blessed day..

Susan

New adventures and New thoughts

I just returned from my cruise on the Gulf of California where we visited ports such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazzatlan and my favorite Cabo San Lucas. We did have a grand time and I even got to speak with my son Alex. Many of you reading this blog already know that Alex spends most of his time at location 11 on the map that has been put out by the best support site a parent or relative could hope for. They now charge equipment because of the effort of the special troops. He informed me that he will re-fit soon at his FOB at which time he will call me again.

Some of you have requested a sunset shot while I was cruising and do I have one for you. I hope to have it up by tomorrow evening. It will be on this posting in the header.

Now to my title, I really want to take both my children on a cruise when Alex returns for R&R. I think it would really afford him a true piece of mind. One of the readers has already sent me a great discount sight. I'm going to check it out! Maybe you will want to use it as well at http://www.vacationstogo.com/ticker.cfm?t=y&u=n&sp=y&id=zz10833118

Enjoy All!

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad (I want to keep that way)
A Fathers Love
San Francisco, Ca