Helping those that have chossen to protect me.

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

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)

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