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

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

A Dad who anticipates a long awaited return home

I sit here thinking of nights of the past and how I would think of my son before falling asleep. I would ask "is he in a safer place today or "how many times to they push off an attack today" well you get the drill. I now know that he is safe in Italy but I just can't wait to see him.

My daughter Michele ( who handled this deployment so much better than I ) will be joining me at the airport to great our soldier home. The banner above will be proudly displayed at the airport. I have another banner to "Welcome home Soldier" and on the bottom it reads " A true American Hero". I did this because I want to volunteer some time to the USO out at the airport greeting our True American hero's home. Bluestardad Out!

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

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"!