Grand Parents, Parents and Soldiers

I recently corresponded with a Grandmother of one of our Sky Soldiers and have determined that while our soldiers worry about their positions and safety but most of all, their return to home. I am glad that they have made a difference to a country that is in turmoil. Afghanistan deserves a new start don't you think. I have been watching a mothers Blog about a son that has made a sacrifice for Afghanistan. His name is Kevin and I wish him a good recovery. No matter what, I will keep him in my prayers. My son is so important to me and yet at times I feel guilty knowing that mothers like Leslie is going though so much pain. I pray that my son will return unscathed and continue to serve. Leslie and Breezy, I am so sorry for your sorrows and hardships. May the Lord help you in your hardship.

Men like Kevin continue to make this country a Great Nation and a Country to look up too.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA a Blue Star Dad

Our Brave Soldiers

Awards demonstrate valor of ‘The Rock’

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, June 29, 2008

Silver Stars awarded to six of unit’s soldiers Six soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment have received Silver Stars during the unit’s tour in Afghanistan. A brief look at their actions, according to the narratives submitted for the awards: Staff Sgt. Robert J. Smith and Sgt. Mattew D. Coulter earned their medals on July 5, 2007, during an air assault by soldiers from Company A into the village of Tsangar. Smith, acting as a platoon sergeant for the mission, organized the defense of his unit and an Afghan National Army contingent that came under attack away from the main company element. After evacuating wounded soldiers, Smith’s squad came under attack again. He directed the perimeter defense "without regard to the hail of enemy fire and RPG strikes only feet from his position." Coulter called in strikes by French Mirage fighter jets in the initial contact and later directed artillery strikes to suppress enemy fire and "exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to maintain observation of direct fire and ensure his fellow Paratroopers received the most accurate and timely fires." First Lt. Matthew Ferrara and Spc. Jason Baldwin of Company C were honored for their efforts during an attack by insurgents on Aug. 22 on the Ranch House outpost. A numerically superior enemy force almost overran the compound before the attackers were repelled. Ferrara maintained communications with his headquarters even after an rocket-propelled grenade took out his antenna. He then directed A-10 fire against posts on base that enemy forces had overrun and directed an offensive against insurgents once reinforcements arrived. Baldwin protected Ferrara and the command center by firing his 60 mm mortar at the advancing enemy and tossing hand grenades at enemy forces that had advanced to within 10 meters of his position. "He acted without regard for his own life, but with incredible courage and quick thinking that destroyed a quickly advancing enemy force…," according to the narrative. Ferrara was later killed in an ambush. First Lt. Gregory Ambrosia, executive officer of Company A, led a platoon-size element during a night assault into the upper Watapur Valley on Sept. 25. The platoon’s position was attacked in the morning and Ambrosia lobbed several hand grenades at enemy positions before ordering five smoke grenades to mark U.S. positions. He then directed repeated artillery fire and Apache helicopter attacks "while receiving intense enemy fire directed at his command post." Staff Sgt. Erick Gallardo’s platoon from Company B was providing support for other elements when it was ambushed on Oct. 25. Two of his soldiers were immediately hit. Gallardo led his team to the wounded soldiers and was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round. He directed suppressing fire and continued to move toward the enemy and his fallen soldiers, tossing hand grenades. He then treated one wounded soldier while two other soldiers fought off insurgents trying to carry away another wounded soldier. Gallardo then treated that soldier and coordinated the platoon’s defense and evacuation of five wounded soldiers.

CAMP BLESSING, Afghanistan — Command Sgt. Major Bradley Meyers doesn’t seem surprised by his battalion’s performance in Kunar Province over the last 14 months.

"I think that soldiers will meet expectations," the top enlisted soldier in the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment said. "If you train them properly, they’ll do just fine."

"Just fine," in this case, might be an understatement.

Soldiers from "The Rock" have been awarded six Silver Stars. Forty-eight have earned Bronze Stars with valor. More than 140 Army Commendation Medals with valor have been approved. Ninety-eight Purple Hearts have been awarded. More than 150 other awards for valor have been submitted for approval — including two for the Medal of Honor, three of for the Distinguished Service Cross and three more for Silver Stars.

The numbers are a testament to the fierce fighting the battalion has seen in Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks have become both more numerous and more brazen over the past year.

The battalion has been involved in about 950 engagements with the enemy during its stint in Afghanistan. Fifteen soldiers from the unit and two Marines working in the province have died during the rotation. About two dozen members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan Border Police have also been killed in the line of duty.

Meyers, who joined the battalion during its last tour in Afghanistan, said 2-503 has aggressively interacted with the local population during both of its stints in country.

"Get out in the battle space, hook up with the local population and maintain relations with the locals," he said. "When you do that, you’re going to end up running into the enemy."

"We’re both fighting for the human terrain," Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, the battalion commander, said. "We go about it in different ways and for much different reasons. But we and the enemy both need the support of the local population."

The unit operates in the low hills and mountains near this outpost in the Pech River Valley in eastern Afghanistan. The rugged border with Pakistan has long been a hideout and transit route for Taliban and other fighters in Afghanistan.

And while the fight has intensified in southern Afghanistan, the combat has been steady and thick here.

Staff Sgt. Brandon Thomas, a member of Company A, has received three Purple Hearts during the rotation. He’s been wounded in the shin, head and inner thigh. He received the Army Commendation Medal with valor recently, but said he wasn’t any different from any other soldier in the battalion.

"In my opinion, a valor award is just an act of stupidity viewed by others as heroism," he said with a half-smile. "I guess I never learned to find cover in basic training."

A group of soldiers standing around him when he said that all laughed and shook their heads. Several of them had also earned medals with valor during the tour.

"Unfortunately, we don’t get the respect and attention that soldiers fighting in Iraq do," Thomas said, turning more serious. "But we’ve been fighting every day."

"We have a pretty humble group of guys," Ostlund said. "They don’t talk about themselves much. Some of them have seen as much combat as anyone in the Army."

Everyone please pray to your higher power for this family

Hi Folks,

I am sorry it has been awhile since I have posted but I have been tempted to share some information that is exciting but at the same time I must honor a request from Rock 6 and remember OPSEC how ever there is something I want to share with everyone that everyone needs to know about so that we can support one of our own Sky Soldiers. The following is a cut and paste of a mothers Blog and can use our support. Here is her link to her Blog http://www.lesliekamm.blogspot.com/

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Day 22 - June 22, 2008

My mom and my nephew, Anthony, came today for the week. I am so glad. Much needed because the doctor's visit didn't turn out to be a good one like we had hoped.

So apparently Kev has meningitis. I asked Breezy and neither one of us had heard that word spoken before, so I guess when the technical name was given - it went right over our heads.

Unfortunately, the docs have tried all the antibiotics they have for it, and so far nothing has worked. Kevin is on the last one possible and tomorrow they are planning to do a spinal tap to get a sample of the fluid to see if it is working. We will know if it's not within 24 hours and if it is in 3 days (I think I got that right). Now the downside to this is that this antibiotic is so incredibly strong, it is causing some degree of kidney failure (docs exact words). This is really scaring me. The doc says it's one or the other as they are both as serious as it gets - meningitis or kidney failure. Gonna stick my head in the sand on this one, at least for the night.

Kev also started coughing up orange stuff this afternoon. We know that as of this morning it was the right white/brownish color. The docs are running tests to see what could be the problem.

As for the grafts? Kev needs only 5% of his body grafted yet. Assuming all goes well with the antibiotics, that may be done later this week. I hope so. The sooner it gets done, the sooner we go to Tampa to the brain trauma hospital.

I'm a little worried about Breezy too. She is starting to crack a little. She has so much going on. Her boyfriend, Alan, is leaving for Iraq next month. Tim is here. She misses her friends. She misses her job. She is scared financially. She just misses her life (as I do and I can damn well say that Kev does). All of this - and the terrifying reality of Kevin's situation also. It's just too much for anyone to handle and I can only hold her as she cries, just as she does for me. Keep her in your thoughts, please. She needs strength vibes sent her way.

So I think I am going to wrap this up for the night. I am just tired and want to go to bed early.

Posted by Leslie Kamm at 11:09 PM

July 27, 2007 not to be forgotten

A fellow blogger shared this PBS special with me. This is a total tear jerker so (as she wrote) keep the Kleenex tissue handy. You WILL need it as this is the most heart felt story. Chris is a true American Hero. He served with our sons of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. PFC Christopher Pfeifer, your mission has been completed, rest in peace Paratrooper.
You need to cut and paste to your browser.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_tAge6pEVE

Humbly,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

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

Memorial Day Tribute to all our Fallen.

I sit here in front of my computer after attending my Daughters graduation where she received her BA in Asian American Studies thinking of Memorial Day, what it means to me and how to honor it. So in memory of all the men and women who have fallen protecting my beliefs, rights way of life and freedoms I want to express my condolences to the Parents, Wives, Husbands and Children of the Fallen, Thank you for your sacrifices. A very special Thank You to the Families and Friends of the Fallen from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team who have lost their loved ones during this deployment your sacrifice has been huge.

I also want to take this a bit further personally. To the families of Joseph Miracle and Benjamin Hall. My son went through Basic and Jump school with Joseph and speaks of him often even today and the fine Officer Ben Hall who even though was not in my sons chain of command sought Ben's advice on his future with the Army. These men has made an impact on Alex and I want to recognize this. On behalf of my son and the rest of my family, I want to Thank You All! I found this video on the net and found it very fitting to post here and thought it great to
close with. I hope you enjoy it.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=173rd+airborne+brigade&hl=en&sitesearch=#q=memorial%20day&hl=en&sitesearch=&start=50

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

Bluestardad (I want to keep it that way)

If you read this, you WILL forward it on. You just won't be able to stop yourself.

This was sent to me by a Mother of a Trooper serving our great Nation with the 173rd Airborne. I just had to post it.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great- grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

Prayer wheel for our military... Please don't break it Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts

They perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

When you receive this, please stop for a moment

And say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq.

There is nothing attached...

This can be very powerful...

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coast guardsman, Marine,

Or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

(AKA A Blue star Dad and I want to keep that way)

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)