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
Showing posts with label Bluestardad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bluestardad. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
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
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
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to all the families who have warriors deployed.
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
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
Sunday, December 20, 2009
I just got off the phone with an old MSG friend
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
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
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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
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
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