New warrior song

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

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

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

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

Dreams, Phone ringing and a "Hey Dad"

I know I posted last night about my soldiers delay but I wanted to update you all of recent events. I went to bed last night not knowing when my son would arrive in SFO. I did a lot of tossing and turning thinking of him and of the possible changes in his personality. I guess I finally fell asleep around 1 AM. I then remember dreaming that someone was calling me on my home phone, when I realized I wasn't dreaming I bolted for the phone only to miss the call. I saw it was a San Francisco number and when I tried calling back there was no answer. I finally went back to bed and must of fell right back to sleep only to be woken up by my home phone. I grabbed the phone and answered. From the other end I heard "Hey Dad, I'm home" and I rushed the door to greet my returning soldier. That was at 4:50 am so I guess he was able to get the last flight out of JFK. I wasn't expecting him home until around 10:30 AM but hey, who am I to complain right? He is in the shower now and then we will be off to car hunting for him. He's home and I am on cloud nine.

Bluestardad OUT!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestar (And I want to keep it that way)

Donations could help make memorial race a memorable event

This just in from Longislandgirl who also Blogs on our soldiers. She asked me to help get the word out.

The NY National Guard at Camp Phoenix is trying to raise money for a 5k run there on 9-11-08-please pass this on; Also, the end of the article has a link to a video of the 173rd Airborne.

Memorial Run

by Dave Tobin

Monday August 11, 2008, 12:46 AM

NY Army National Guard soldiers began their war on terror service immediately after 9/11, when they were sent to guard the bridges, tunnels and area around the World Trade Center in New York City.

That service seven years ago leads to their current mission.

September 11 will hold special significance for many soldiers in Afghanistan. A few are planning a 5-kilometer run on that day, and looking for help.

1st Lt. Michael Chappell, of Jamesville, writes:

"I am currently serving in Afghanistan with the Delta Company, 2-108th Infantry, NY Army National Guard out of Ithaca, NY.

I and other New Yorkers are trying to organize an international 5K race in Kabul for the American Forces other Coalition and Afghan forces, in memorial of September 11th, 2001.

This race will remind us why we as Coalition and Afghan forces are serving here in Afghanistan; it will help reinforce the fact that we are still here together, and that it is through teamwork we achieve our goals.

We are trying to raise $1,500 - $2,000 to help cover the costs of T-shirts and awards. Any donation that your club or organization can make would be greatly appreciated.

For donations of $250 or more received by August 20th, I will incorporate your club or organization's logo into the T-shirt design. Send donations, by money order only, with a note stating that it is for the "9/11 International Freedom 5K run."

Camp Phoenix MWR
c/o 1LT Michael Chappell
D Co, SECFOR
CAMP PHOENIX
APO AE 09320

We're almost at the halfway point for this deployment of some 1,700 New York Army National Guard soldiers in Afghanistan.

For families of soldiers, what's changed for you since your soldier first left? (Are you glued to each episode of "Army Wives"? Do you watch it with anyone?)

What's been hardest? What's been your brightest moment? What have you discovered about yourself?

Lost in translation

Shelled by rockets, soldiers of the 173rd Airborne's Charlie Company visit an Afghan village from where the rockets have been fired, looking for the enemy, looking for answers. Tension is high. Soldiers try to speak to a Pashtun elder, relying on their "terp" (interpreter), for everything they learn or don't. A terp can easily misguide them. In an insurgent war where few if any U.S. solders speak the native language, what drives decisions?

An excellent video by Guardian Films shows this challenge. It's linked from the Following Orion site.(www.syracuse.com/following-orion/)

Thanks to the military blogger Bouhammer for bringing this video to our attention.

Shoot me an email: dtobin@syracuse.com

Day of the Sky Soldier

I copied this from another site.

Day of the Sky Soldier

August 6, 2008

As National Director of GoE I was heartened to see that Congressman Kirk (R-IL) has requested that the President proclaim 23 August, 2008 as the Day of the Sky Soldier (see below), which is the nickname of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The Sky Soldiers are rotating home after a tough 15 month deployment in Afghanistan. They suffered losses which impacted the entire veteran’s community as a whole, while maintaining the highest standards of the American soldier. We are, therefore requesting that every member of Congress do as Congressman Kirk has done and send a similar letter to the president urging him to make this proclamation. This is an opportunity to let these brave men know that their personal and professional sacrifices have not gone un-noticed. This is also an opportunity for every member of Congress to actively support the troops with something besides words. Please call your Congressman and urge him or her to send this letter. Thank you. Manchu

July 31, 2008

BY FAX

The Honorable George W. Bush

President of the United States

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing in support of a Presidential Proclamation designating Saturday, August 23, 2008, in honor of the 173^rd Airborne Brigade. I have attached copies of correspondence sent to the White House by my constituent, Robert A. Getz, who is organizing this effort.

As you may know, the 173^rd Airborne Brigade was founded 91 years ago during World War I. The men and women of the brigade have served our country honorably during World Wars I and II, Korea, Viet Nam, and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The brigade is currently completing their second tour of duty in Afghanistan where they lost 42 killed in action.

I respectfully request you issue a Proclamation designating Saturday August 23^rd in honor of the 173^rd Airborne Brigade.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Mark Steven Kirk

Member of Congress

MSK:epk

Enclosures

Written by Chris Hill · Filed Under Briefings, Featured