The Fallen of The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

I have decided to dedicate an entirely new Blog to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to their country. It can be viewed at http://thefallenofthe173rdabnbrigade.blogspot.com It is my hope and desire to improve on this Blog so that it reflects the same effort shown by these courageous men. They have stood their last watch. If you should have any comment on how I can improve this Blog, then please share as I am open to all suggestions.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone

AKA BlueStarDad (and I want to keep it that way)

San Francisco

Delta Force Training

I came accross this on Military.com I enjoyed it and hope you do too.
http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=146742&ESRC=recruiting.nl

The long commute and everything I have been waiting for.

As I was driving to work yesterday morning listening to news radio and thinking to myself that I should find a job closer to home, and then I found myself wondering about our boy's over in Afghanistan and how they get around the land. Me, I'm constantly looking for reckless drivers and avoiding hitting stray animals. The guy's looking for planted I.E.D.'s and ambushes from the Taliban. I begin to think my 55 minute commute isn't so bad after all. I decided to change the station to some light rock. The band that is playing is Phil Collins. Some great music I think to myself, when suddenly a different tune begins to also play and then I realize it's "The green Beret" on my ring tone. I immediately grab my cell and say "Hello" and then I hear "Hi Dad! How you doing" that is what I have been waiting for. It's sure sounds great to hear his voice and I tell him so.

He is still at the VPB outside Fortress and has been there for over a month now without refitting back at the FOB. I asked him why and he said that his section leader needs him there. When I asked how things were going he said "Dad, it has been raining everyday lately and it seems to be keeping the bad guy's away so things have been pretty slow." He did sound in good spirits and rested even though he was getting off guard duty from the perimeter. I told him about his platoon leaders email to me and how I had framed those emails (I got that idea from another soldiers mother) and hung it next to his picture on the wall. I could actually see him rolling his eyes...lol but he knows his old man and understands.

I know many of you that read my blog has soldiers serving the 2nd/503rd Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and know what it is like not hearing from them. I was able to speak to Alex for a good twenty minutes at the end of my commute. It's funny really because Alex knows that I stay in touch with many of the Parents and Grand Parents of our guy's and his last words to me were "Dad, tell Scott's (Last name) Dad Hi and tell Poole's Grand Parents he is here with me. Also let (name withheld) Vickie know her son is not here and not sure where he is at this point but may be at the FOB but not sure. Tell my Sister Michele and Auntie Jen I said hi and I will see them soon. I love you Dad! Over and Out." That was it and then white noise.

It was good to hear from him and I look forward to hearing from him again when he can call. When I arrived home there was a letter in my mailbox from him, talk about icing on the cake. I read his letter several times over. He wrote it shortly after an attack on his position. It is pretty amazing what these kids (opps Men) go through. I am sure you all are as proud of yours as I am of mine. Well thanks for reading the blog, this is Bluestardad, over and out!

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

San Francisco

Telephone calls, U.S. Postal Service and my Crystal ball

I sit here this evening after spending a few hours at a Chamber of Commerce mixer wondering what our guys are doing? I have mingled with people of the U.S. Postal Service who reminded me our guy's receive to many care packages...Yeah right! The Verizon Representative who has no clue why they (Our guys) have no good plan for there (ouy guy's ) cells.

My Crystal Ball Say's that they do not understand what these guys are going through. I recently watched some video's on Afghanistan people on Google and found some interesting information. The women there are grossly mistreated. It makes me sick to watch these video's but know it is true. I hope time will make changes.

The communication pipeline seems to be dried up as I have not heard from my boy and I am sure many of you are in the same boat. You feel frustrated, I do. I hope we all hear from them soon. I am missing Alex in a huge way as I am sure you are missing your guy just as much.

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)
San Francisco

A great come back! From a proud Grandfather of one of our own.

One of my sons serves in the military. He is still stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha.He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock. The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said proudly," Yes, I always wear it and probably always will."

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman: "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly,

I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid."Everyone within hearing distance cheered!

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone

aka abluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

San Francisco, Ca

IF YOU AGREE____ Pass this on to all your proud American friends.I just did.

I am truly blessed

To have such fine men leading my son while deployed over in Afghanistan. I woke up this morning and in opening my email account I see an email in my inbox from my sons platoon leader. Now I know that this fine young man has one hell of a job on his hands with his platoon stretched throughout the area of operations supporting the other companies. Jason mentioned that the men are all doing well and that they continue to improve their bases of operation. Summer is coming to a close and they will be breaking out their cold weather gear very soon.

I just find it simply amazing that this fine young man takes the time to email me under such spartan conditions. I mean, he must travel over the roads (that alone must be gut wrenching because of the dangers of I.E.D's) to visit with his various sections to make sure they have what they need to continue to take the battle to the enemy and he still takes time out to communicate with a parent. I am just blown away by this. The men and women that serve our Nation today are a much different breed than when I served.

So to all the parents and family of those reading this today, be it known that your soldier is being lead by some of the finest leaders. Many will be returning over the next several months on R&R. Take the time to get to know the new man that comes home. Most will have changed because of their experiences over in Afghanistan and the leadership they have found themselves under. Character can be contagious. God Bless Them All!

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

San Francisco

Sometimes when we think we will never

hear from them, the phone rings. "Hi dad, how are you doing?" I will always cherish those words for the rest of my life. I am sure you now know Alex has called home again since that awful day that I last posted that is no longer visible due to the fact I was concerned about opsec. I promise to re post it once they all safely return home. I must admit that I felt very proud of my son's actions and was not thinking of requests made from above, Those of you reading this will understand.

So my son has been at his VPB for three weeks and he made sure to let me know that his Oder is unpleasant...lol He sounded upbeat, happy and really looking forward to returning home for R&R. I will meet him at the Airport with a slew of people, I can guarantee you that. He asked me to purchase more satellite time as I guess the minutes are now dwindling. I told him no problem and the minutes Will be added as of tomorrow.

My postings will be kept to a minimal from now on as I want to be sure our guys are safe. I do enjoy chatting with all the parents and do not want us all disconnected. Thanks for everything you do and more importantly, I pray for each of your soldiers return through prayer each and every day.

I have been reading Kite Runner and it has been helping me a lot. I have been trying to understand the culture of Afghanistan from the moment my son was notified that he will be deploying to this country. It has been a great help. Thanks to all that have suggested it.
A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

(Abluestaredad)( And I want to keep it that way)