July 27, 2007 not to be forgotten

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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