I am sitting here very numb right now just wondering.

As you all know we are in the beginning of the surge that our President wants to win this battle on terror in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I as a Dad of a warrior only wonders if there is something we all can do for our country that would help these young men and women. I recently had correspondence with a mother of a troop who has a son assigned to the same company (Destined) of the same brigade of my son. We emailed each other about the equipment they need and how the Army is not supplying them with essential equipment to carry out the missions they have been tasked with. I understand shortages, budgets, and etc, as a corp America Business development manager but we are at war. How is it that I am rushing to get a sling for Alex's M4 and another mom trying to get her Son's Binoculars sent out to her son and having the shipment insured because it is a huge item number?

In closing, I want to extend my prayers to not only the 2nd/503rd families of the 173rd but also to the families of the 1st/503rd. May god look over all of them and bring them home when it is right.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad

Missing Alex

I sit here thinking about Alex a lot lately. I haven't heard from him since he deployed but have heard they are doing well from other parents. This comforts me greatly but at the same time I wish I can hear it from him. He requested I send him an M4 sling called a Mamba from Ranger Joe's as it is a much better sling. I know I have stated this before, but it is truly much easier being in combat yourself than wondering how your only seed is fairing combat. My hat goes off to all the other parents that endure the same feelings as I feel, Vicki ,Tanner's Mom, Sandy who has a brother currently serving the 173rd , Mel, who also has a son with the 1st/503rd as a medic, William who is a proud Dad to Robert of the 2nd/503rd, Anne who's Dad served the 173rd in Vietnam. I have so much respect for you all. May all our son's return safe and for those who have served prior to the current 173rd operations as well as all Armed Forces that is protecting America now and in the past. Thank You for your commitment in keeping us all safe.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad

I heard from a parent yesterday

A parent and now a friend has reported that the 173rd is now fully deployed and doing well. They are enjoying good food and are in the process of deploying sometime soon to their regular area of responsibility. To be exact, the mighty 2nd/503rd Infantry Battalion Destined Co. Hooo Raaah son. I love you and you will always be apart of me. Many people have been responding to this Blog so I have been able to make some people as friends.

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad

I spoke to Alex today and they have gone to alert status.

Yes, this will be the last conversation I will have with my son for awhile. Many of you have sent comments to www.bluestardad.wordpress.com which I do not use any longer. I have been trying to respond to each one of you via email. I am now going to respond via the blog because it has been too time consuming. Don't get me wrong here, I want to reach out to each and everyone of you it's just that I am so concerned of not getting back to one of you because of time constraints.

So with that said, Vickie, Alex knows Tanner and will be making contact with him. They are not in the same squad but he will make that contact with him. I will continue to email you as we have made some great connections and were one of the first persons that have contacted me.

Don, I will keep Andy in my prayers and Alex will seek him out to get to know him. I will pass information when I can. My prayers will be for him as well.

Anne, I lost two cousins during that time (November 8th) with the 173rd on a combat jump. My true purpose for this blog is exactly to portray the true life of an American soldier in combat. Not for profit.

To everyone that reads this blog, I am all about the troop and not the commercial value. I want my son to come home as well as your son's and daughter's whole and healthy.

May God Bless Them All,

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad
San Francisco, Ca

Many Thanks for the time I got to spend with Alex

I sit here reflecting on the short period of time that I got to spend with my son while he was home. Those hours were truly wonderful and I will Cherish them forever. I also would like to thank Sandi (whose brother is with the 1st/503rd who are currently deployed in Afghanistan) who sent some kind words to me and for the prayers she Say's for all the men and women currently serving. Oh, I should also point out that he husband is a Marine. Sandi! I will keep the men in your life in my prayers as well. Also to a mother named Vicki whom I feel a close connection to as she had the same experience while her son came home on leave and found herself slipping into her son's room to watch him sleep. I did the same thing and I am sure we both had very similar thoughts. Thank you Vicki for those warm words, you will be getting an email from me soon.

For those of you that are checking this blog out for the first time you can see my first attempt at blogging at www.bluestardad.wordpress.com and see their comments for yourself.

When I spoke to Alex today and he mentioned that he was going to hang out with Destined company at a local nightclub tonight. He mentioned that this would be his last night out before deploying downrange. Destined is a new company that he has been attached to.

God Bless them ALL,

A fathers love,

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad

San Francisco, Ca

My only son heading down range with the 173rd

I started a blog long before this at another blog site at www.bluestardad.wordpress.com that I found it to difficult to navigate. I am dedicating this site to my son PVT2 Alexander Forbes Arnone who is serving the United States Army with the 173rd Airborne Brigade 2nd/503rd Airborne Infantry HHC attached to Destined Company. Alex will be deploying down range to Afghanistan in the next few days. I stay in touch with Alex on a regular basis as he is my only son. It was easy letting him join the Army but it was something that he wanted and as a Father I needed to support him.

I just got off the phone with Alex and he informed me that his squad has been attached to a new company formulated from troops from within the brigade. His new company Destined Company is made up by some of the best shooters of the 2nd/503rd. I was initially concerned with this information as a father wanting to keep my son as far away from hostile activities as possible. When I asked him about his thoughts on this last minute change he stated to me "Dad, I have some of the best SGT's this unit has to offer and I am proud to go to battle along side of them" I almost choked up. I am very proud of him and can not wait for his return home. Again, I will be using this post to express my thoughts on his military career. Alex may jump on here with his thoughts as time allows it.

God Bless Them All,

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad
San Francisco