I heard from PFC Alexander Forbes Arnone yesterday, My son.

I spoke with Alex yesterday after yet another missed call at 0600 hrs. He sounded very tired but up-beat. I informed him that his request for flee collars was not a good one because of the toxic ramifications he was surprised. Thanks to a MSG and his wife Cheri, I was educated that bug repellent containing 100% DEET helps with flees, I will not be sending flee collars. In our conversation I have learned that my son Alex has been promoted to PFC. He also mention in his last letter that he woke to 107 MM arttilaryy fire on his OP. They responded with suppressive fire and succeeded. He has requested that I search for him a new mustang gt 500 kr that Carol Shelby has designed for Ford. He wants one even though they will only manufacture 1000 of them.

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad ( and want to stay that way)
San Francisco, Ca

Twenty-One tips for surviving Your Soldier's Deployment

This posting is of some tips from a mom that has a son with the 2nd-503rd. We communicate regularly and I thought it would help my readers that have familey members deployed. It is a great read. My favorites are 1, 4, 6,7, and maybe 7 again and 14, 16, 17 and lastly 19. Vickie, you rock!

1. Begin each day with a prayer. (it may be the only time you can be sure someone is listening to you!)

2. Don't engage in conversation with anti-war protestors. Your son is a soldier, no one is more anti-war then you are, you've just got enough common-sense to know that sometimes, when the cause is just, brave men must take a stand.

3. Display that yellow ribbon. You're going to be a bit short-tempered, tired and cranky...this helps the innocent understand why!

4. Remember...red wine is good for the heart, so take care of your heart.and have a glass...or two.

5. Whine is not good for your heart, avoid it at all costs. See number 4 above, for the right type of wine.

6. Plant something. It's good therapy to watch something grow.

7. Write right. Write to your soldier often, they love to get mail. But write the right stuff, be encouraging, cheerful and supportive. No whining (remember number 5 above!)

8. Turn off the news, and the computer. Everything in moderation, if you feel a compulsion to check the news every hour, you're becoming obsessed, unplug the electronics and pick up a book. NO WAR stories allowed...at this point in your life Tom Clancey is NOT your friend.

9. Don't do drugs. Avoid all drugs legal or otherwise (anti-depressents, sleep aids etc) Your nerves are screwed up enough without adding chemicals to the equation. Remember Wine is Not a drug...see number 4 above!

10. Hug someone. Personal direct contact is a great stress relief, and it's awesome to know someone cares. However, avoid hugging strangers in department stores...this could lead to arrest, detention, and the prescription of medications (refer to 9 above)

11. Babysit. Nothing can bring more joy and distraction to your life then a young child. If you're really worried about your soldier babysit multiple toddlers. They'll keep you busy, plus it's helpful to remember that not only your soldier has lived through a day in hell.

12. No diets. Let's be serious, there's no way a diet will succeed while your soldier is at war, dont set yourself up for failure. You're going to overeat, so enjoy it...search out comfort foods and brag about it. If you find something that really works...email me! (skip to 13 below)

13. Chocolate is your friend. Nothing more needs to be said here.

14. Order flat-rate boxes from the post office. You're going to be mailing things often, so you might as well save a few dollars when you can. Dollars saved can be better spent on number 4 and 13 above.

15. Remember your son is a solider. He's not simply your little boy anymore. He's a lean mean fighting machine, trained by the best military leaders in the world. He's stronger then you can imagine, and he CAN and WILL handle anything the enemy throws his way.

16. You are more then a parent. You are not just mom or dad, you are a soldiers direct support system. Step up to the plate and fill your roll. Pray, write, send packages etc (re-read numbers 1, 7 and 14)...if you feel your cheerful support flagging...turn to #4 and 13...if it's a really sucky day...you can combine 4 and 13!

17. You are not alone. America has sent over 120,000 of her finest into harms way this year. Build a support system with other soldier parents. No one can relate to what you're going through like a fellow Army Mom or dad.

18. Anticipate the Homecoming. This deployment is only a year in the life of your son. He WILL be coming home. Prepare and look forward to the day. Clean his room, paint him a picture, sew him a quilt. Stay busy with positive action.

19. Prepare for emergencies. Pray for the best, prepare for the worst. Chances are extremely good that your son will come through this deployment with nothing more then scary stories and bad dreams. However, you should be prepared for the unlikely event that he is injured and you must hop a plane to the Military hospital in Germany. Get your passport, keep emergency funds handy, and always have your contact information up to date.

20. Don't skip meals, or sleep. Your son needs you strong, you cant be the parent he needs if your body is wore out. Some days you'll have to force yourself to eat (dont laugh it could happen), and make yourself go to sleep. Take care of yourself... it's ok to enjoy wine WITH your meal..just not in place of the meal!

and last but not least...

Laugh More and cry less.... Seek out the people places and things that fill your heart with happiness. There may be a lot of absolute crap out there in the world, but overall it's a wonderful place, filled with good people. Surround yourself with loving friends, who are generous with their hugs, kind words, happy stories....chocolates...and RED WINE!!!

Love and prayers,
Vickie

Spc. Christopher S. Honaker

U.S. Department of DefenseOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)News Release
On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11100Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public contact:http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.htmlor +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 844-07July 08, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Christopher S. Honaker, 23, of Cleveland, N.C., died July 5 of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire and indirect fire in the Watapor Valley of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173d Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

For more information, media may contact the 173d Airborne Brigade public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-6016.

PFC. Joseph A. Miracle

U.S. Department of DefenseOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)News Release
On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11099Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public contact:http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.htmlor +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 843-07July 08, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Joseph A. Miracle, 22, of Ortonville, Mich., died July 5 of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire and indirect fire in the Watapor Valley of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173d Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy.

For more information, media may contact the 173d Airborne Brigade public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-6016.

Happy Fourth Of July 2007

I sit here at home watching the Boston Pops celebrating the fourth and I remember as a child my Grandmother and Dad would take me to the Charles River to watch the fireworks and listen to the Pops play. The last time I celebrated the fourth there was back in 1976. That year seemed so huge with the Bicentennial and all. Wow, it just dawned on me that it was over 30 years ago.

I am thinking that when Alex comes home perhaps I will take him to Boston to experience an incredible celebration. If I am not mistaken, it is toted as the number one firework display in America. It would be a nice visit back where I was raised.

To all the men and women who are serving our Nation, Thank You for what you do so that we Americans can continue to make choices. You make your country proud!

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad

San Francisco, Ca

Why in the world would your son join the Army now?

ON SHEEP, WOLVES, AND SHEEPDOGS

By LTC(RET) Dave Grossman, RANGER, Ph.D.,author of "On Killing."

William J. Bennett - in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me: "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another. We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.I mean nothing negative by calling them sheep.

For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators."Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial."Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens?What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed Let me expand on this old soldier's excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world.

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, can not and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed.The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, "Baa."Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed right along with the young ones.

Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." When you are truly transformed into awarrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference.There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.

Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, "Let's roll," which authorities believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers - athletes, business people and parents. -- from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. -

A missed call turned into a live call

As you may have read earlier, I missed a call from my boy at 0430 hrs this morning. You can only imagine the loss I felt as many of my readers are parents, spouses and perhaps some children and certainly family members of those serving this great Nation. Yes, that loss turned into absolute joy around 12:30 hrs when my cell rang and it was the same number that called at 0430 hrs this am. I was so thrilled I yelled "Alex, how are you son" and he stated "Dad I am good, just tired, dirty and I am sure I may stink" Go head!....lol. It was music to my ears and I ran out of my office and told my team members that I am stepping out to talk to my son. No questions asked I should mention.

Alex said everything is fine and he is doing well. He has received my care packages (not all) and loves it when they call his name when they do Mail call. I asked what Platoon he is with in Destined and he told me 3rd Platoon and when I asked what squad he said they weren't in a squad that they were on their own manning Mortar tubes about 1 hour away from a sight that I mail too. Many of you will understand where that is or close to.

He mentioned that the longest time they have gone without attacks against there position is 4 days and are on a streak of two days of no attacks. They do conduct patrols and make contact often with the enemy. I ask if they were in tents and he laughed and said I will see when I receive pictures from him. Please look forward to my next post that will explain what describes these men and why they do what they do for this country during a time of conflict and war. I am sure you will be impressed with what I post. I just want to get permission to post this speech from a friend and mother of one of our troops who shared it with me. In closing I want to say, I do this for my son but also for god and my country. Go Sky soldiers!

God Bless them all,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca
AKA Bluestardad