Farewells, Hugs and ringing phones

Last night I expressed my farewells to my soldier as he returns to Italy on a 6:30 AM flight aboard Delta. He chose to spend his last hours home with his friends which is not surprising. It amazes me when I look at my warrior and see a different person. He is now grown, confident and direct. I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I wanted but the time we did share will never be forgotten. It was so grand to have him home safe and sound. On his second night home he removed his tee shirt only to reveal an 8 inch scare down the back of his shoulder. This was not a scare from his childhood, so when I asked him where did that come from he told me "Dad, I have no clue. We were in a fire fight from hell and when the smoke cleared I was asked if I was hit and I was baffled by the question until I felt the blood dripping down my back. I am not sure if it was from AK or from mortar fire. " I later spied many other scars on his body of which he really didn't want to talk about. I guess I am fortunate enough that my son is not having to endure life as a WIA at WRMC or another medical center.

Alex did come to my home last night to pick up his things and pack for his return to his brothers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy. It seems to me to be one of the longest hugs that I can remember. I have come to realize that he is now a man and no longer a child. It is a hug that I will not soon forget. He did try and call Delta Airlines to get a later flight (he had a 6:30am departure but wanted to get on the 9:10am) but they wanted an additional $1,700.00 for the change which he refused.

At 6:30 AM I received a call from him a little frantic that they wouldn't let him on the flight as they have already boarded. I told him to find a sympathetic ear at the counter. I then jumped onto the phone and called Delta's Corp, office to see what I can do for him. It turns out that while I am on hold Alex in fact does find someone sympathetic and gets on the flight at 9:10 am at no additional cost. I am a little miffed that they tried to take him for $1,700.00 dollars which is more than the original $1,600.00 that he paid for a round trip. He did mention that he was on active duty and just trying to extend his stay by a couple of hours. It really does disgust me that Corp, America is displaying it's feigns on our warriors who shed their blood in our countries honor. I am not posting the photos of Alex while he was home only because I don't want to humiliate him on line..... lol.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

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

A Dad, Sister, Combat buddy and Friend

Well, Alex has been home for a couple of days now. It has been a good re-integration so far. I hosted a dinner for my soldier last night at a new but popular Italian restaurant here is San Francisco. Most of my and Alex's family are from the East Coast but we had a total of 14 people for dinner. We then left the restaurant and traveled to a bar that everyone loved. Alex has been home for only 2 day's and he was very apprehensive due to the fact that he is not use to being around lots of people.

He did pretty good considering every thing. He wasn't in uniform but the bar owner and bar tenders remembered him. I guess Alex did well considering the fact that he is going through a re-integration in the U.S. He stepped out tonight with 4 friends for dinner and what ever activities. My boy is home and I am blessed to have a young boy now grown to a grown man.

His sister is heading to Graduate School so they missed getting together. I am sure he will make that up by a road trip South.

We dialed up a combat buddy that has been wounded and is now at WRH. It was cool and Matt, battle on buddy!

Many of my soldiers friends really don't know or understand what our guys are going through. They have been hit everyday at all hours with no warning. Our soldiers are Americas finest and more. A special message to our Moms and Dads, love them, hover over them and more important, love them.

Be there for them

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

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

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)

Delays.....suck

I heard from my soldier and he has informed me that he has been delayed due too weather at JFK. I will see him tomorrow around 12:00 and I can't wait. I may be disappointed that he has been delayed but more importantly, he is on U.S. soil.This has been a long awaited day. I am so proud of my soldier and all of his accomplishments. Thank you to Vickie for your welcome home.

Ronnie and Cheri, what up folks!

Larry
San Fransisco

(A Blue Star Dad and AI 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

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 )