New warrior song

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

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

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

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

Many, many emails from first timers

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

And then they got into action

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

National Medal of Honor Day

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 grin from ear to ear

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

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

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

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

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.

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"

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)